FROMTHEEDITOR
In plain sight . How do we collectively rebuild the public ’ s trust in fire safety again ?
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WITH THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE Grenfell Tower tragedy taking place during the publication period of this magazine , we are set to see some extremely impactful headlines across all forms of media in the near future . Whether it be fitting a door closer or specifying an entire building , the devastating events last June thrust fire safety right to the forefront of not just our own literature within the trade , but also the public eye . For some reason , stories of how fire safety has not only been a low priority for some , but ignored or flouted intentionally is just not acceptable . At best , it has brought the reputation of the industry into question , and at its utter worst , lives have been lost .
This isn ’ t the first time that the reputation of our industry has come into question . The negative public perception of double glazing companies throughout the 1980s and early 1990s for instance - which we may now be able to mock through ‘ period ’ television comedies - once made a mockery out of decent salespeople , fabricators , and fitters .
When it comes to construction in general , likewise , while ‘ cowboy builders ’ and ‘ rogue traders ’ can be found in all industries , when it comes to the home improvement sector in particular ; doors , windows , conservatories , there is still a certain lack of trust . And , as is always the case , we are all forced to address the problems of the ‘ lowest common denominators ’ in our own field to set ourselves apart .
Ever since the 1990s , fenestration companies have worked tirelessly to rebuild the relationship they had with the public , with tighter regulations on products , better quality control , stricter criteria for approving the companies that fabricate , fit , and supply their doors and windows . Open and honest communication ; a readiness to take social , corporate , and environmental responsibility ; addressing issues head on instead of hiding them ; have all helped to repair the damage .
When it comes to fire safety , so prevalent in the public eye after the horrific event last summer , figures across the industry are calling for a ‘ no excuse ’ and ‘ no compromise ’ approach to raising the standard throughout the sector , nationwide , and at all levels when it comes to the design and development of fire safety doors , windows and hardware . Testing must be more stringent , specification and installation needs to improve , and it has to be number one priority . It may take time , it will take teamwork , but it must happen .
Gemma , Editor
PROUD SPONSOR OF INDUSTRY NEWS
“ Firms are waiting over a year for new bricks ”
Rising prices and short supplies of materials are squeezing builders ’ profit margins and leading to last minute price increases for consumers , according to the latest research by the Federation of Master Builders ( FMB ).
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MORE THAN HALF ( 56 %) of small and medium-sized ( SME ) construction have had their margins squeezed ( up from 32 % in July 2017 ) with 49 % forced to pass material price increases onto their clients , 30 % recommending that clients use alternative materials or products to those originally specified , and nearly one fifth ( 17 %) of builders report making losses on their building projects due to material price increases , this has gone up from one in ten reporting this in July 2017 .
‘ insulation has increased by 16 % in the last 12 months ’
When asked which materials are in shortest supply and have the longest wait times , those surveyed reported that bricks came in first place , with the longest reported wait time being more than a year ; followed by roof tiles , insulation , slate , and windows taking the fifth spot , again with the longest wait time being over 12 months .
In terms of pricing , insulation has increased by 16 % in the last 12 months followed by bricks at 9 %, timber , roof tiles and slate at 8 %, then windows , plasterboard and boilers at 7 %.
SME building firms were also asked by what percentage different materials have increased over the past 12 months .
Brian Berry , Chief Executive of the FMB , said : “ Worst case scenarios include firms waiting for more than one year for a new order of bricks . What ’ s particularly worrying is that when prices have increased mid-project , almost one fifth of builders have absorbed the increase and therefore made a loss . We are calling on builders merchants to give their customers as much advance warning of forthcoming material price increases or wait times as possible so that firms can warn their customers and plan ahead . This makes quoting for jobs difficult but if builders flag the issue to their client from the outset , and include a note in the contract that prices may be subject to increases , they shouldn ’ t be left short .”
www . fmb . org . uk
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