Blog

The construction industry plays a vital role in shaping the infrastructure and economic landscape of this country. However, the urgent need for skilled workers in construction has become a pressing challenge that requires immediate attention. We here at Cornerstone Projects Ltd have explored the implications of the skills shortage in the industry and discussed collaborative… Read More

So its been a busy last few months! After appointing a local contractor to excavate the basement and construct the reinforced concrete slab and walls we finally started excavating on the 27/03/23. The basement is approx. 31m x 7m x3m deep so there was quite a lot of spoil to remove especially as there needed… Read More

When it comes to excavation or construction work, one crucial step that should always be taken and maintained is conducting thorough utility searches. Utility searches involve identifying the location of underground services such as gas, water, electric, and telecommunication lines before any digging or construction takes place. This is the first step in the process… Read More

The construction industry is known for its cyclical nature, with periods of economic downturns and uncertainties that can impact businesses of all sizes. Whether it’s a recession, a slowdown in the housing market, or unforeseen challenges such as a global pandemic, surviving a downturn in construction requires careful planning, strategic decision-making, and adaptability. In this… Read More

Between expensive fines and legislation changes, health and safety has been a hot topic in the construction industry. So, we decided to conduct a survey to find out exactly what you know (and don’t know) about the current health and safety legislation. We surveyed consultants, principal contractors, sub-contractors and construction workers – and found some… Read More

From the pandemic to Brexit, the construction industry has faced countless challenges in the last six years. Whether it’s supply chain battles, budget inaccuracies or labour issues, these challenges often lead to significant delays on projects across the UK. But that’s not to say these hurdles didn’t exist before – in 2016, we asked construction… Read More

In 2016, Cornerstone Projects conducted a survey of construction industry professionals on the prevalence and costs of delays in major construction projects. The survey highlighted that fact the delays were not only a regular occurrence but the financial knock on effects were also significant. A significant amount has changed since 2016 but has the industry… Read More

Planning approval was finally granted in early May 2022. It seems that the planning department have a massive backlog of work and are, of course, blaming covid….. nearly seven months to process a relatively simple planning application that was only marginally different to that previously granted seems ridiculous but apparently six months is now about… Read More

Construction is a great industry to get into, with opportunities for progression available for those who want to apply themselves. But simply showing up and doing the job isn’t going to help you rise through the ranks, and some extra effort is required in order to land that dream role. If you’re looking to make… Read More

Starting a new job can be both exciting and stressful, especially if you’re starting a career in the construction industry. You’ve got a lot to learn and a long way to go, but it all starts with your first day on-site. The key to success is to show up with the right attitude and determination,… Read More

I’ve always wanted to build my own house and have spent hours designing houses in my (infrequent these days) daydreams. The problem has always been where – my family lives in a beautiful part of the Wirral close to good schools etc and with good transport links so we have no desire to move anywhere… Read More

Utility surveys are essential before any work can start on a construction project, and are at the core of what we do as a business – but what exactly do they do? In this article, we take a look at what a utility survey is, and why it’s so important to get one before a… Read More

The last 2 years have been some of the hardest in recent memory, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it is still having to this day… From lockdowns to social distancing to wearing masks, our “normal” way of life has been thrown aside in order to protect people and prioritise health and safety…. Read More

Have you prepared your site for a quiet Christmas period? Now that December is well under way and Christmas is fast approaching, its time to start thinking less about construction and more about wrapping presents. Your mind may be on the Christmas dinner and some quality time on the sofa, but work needs to be… Read More

One of the most common complaints we’ve heard over the last year or so regards the mass materials shortage across the UK construction industry. Starting back at the beginning the COVID-19 pandemic, things have only gone from bad to worse when it comes to the shortage, and things are still looking rather bleak. With low… Read More

Nobody likes making mistakes, and sometimes things just don’t go exactly as planned. This is especially common in construction, and there are plenty of things that can go wrong during a project. With that in mind, here are 10 different situations that could happen in the middle of your construction project and how exactly you… Read More

In March 2020, most of the world came to a standstill due to the COVID-19 pandemic and overnight we saw cities and town centres go from heavily crowded places to essentially ghost towns. With a lockdown announced and employee health and safety at risk, employers had to quickly find solutions to continue working despite these… Read More

Here at Cornerstone Projects, we use these monthly articles to look at hot topics in the construction industry and recently we’ve been hearing a lot about the rise of smart cities. So, what is a smart city? What are the benefits? How is this going to affect the industry? Your questions and more answered below…. Read More

It’s no secret that construction has taken its time with embracing the digital age, and there are still areas that we’re slipping up on. With the invention and introduction of new technology and software, the use of paper feels like an old fashioned and outdated way of doing things – and that’s not even looking… Read More