October 2018

Industry News
RISE IN NEW HOME
REGISTRATIONS
New figures from NHBC have revealed that
more than 15,800 new homes were
registered to be built in the UK in July, a
35% increase on the same month last
year.
12,087 new homes were registered in the
private sector in July 2018 (8,421 in 2017),
with 3,782 registered in the affordable sector
(3,362 in 2017).
For the rolling quarter, between May and July,
43,600 new homes were registered
compared to 39,421 in 2017 – an increase of
11%. During this period there were 31,264
new homes registered in the private sector
(28,056 in 2017: +11%) and 12,336 new
homes registered in the affordable sector
(11,365 in 2017: +9%).
Over this period, London experienced an 86%
increase in registrations, partly due to an
increase in the number of large housing
association and private rental sector
developments registered in the capital.
As the leading warranty and insurance
provider for new homes in the UK, NHBC’s
registration statistics are a lead indicator for
the new homes market.
Commenting on the July figures, NHBC Chief
Executive Steve Wood said: “Following a slow
start to the year due to the extreme weather,
we have had promising new home figures in
recent months with July seeing a real uplift.
Over the last three months we have had
growth in new home registrations in eight out
of 12 UK regions, with London leading the
way.
“NHBC continues to support UK builders in
delivering high quality new homes for the
benefit of consumers.”
NO TIME FOR BREAKS, TIME JUST VAN-ISHES
Builders spend 2 ½ years driving their van Executive of the FMB, said: “This new research
over the course of their working lives and dispels the myth that builders spend a big chunk
almost one year trying to locate a particular of their time drinking tea. In reality, if builders are
tool, according to new research by the
downing their tools for any reason, it’s so they
Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
can chat to their customers and ensure they have
happy clients. Less surprisingly, over the course
The FMB asked thousands of builders across the
of their working lives, your average builder will
UK how many minutes they spend each day
spend two and a half years driving their van and
carrying out certain tasks. The figures reveal that
two and a half years shopping for materials at
over their career, an average builder will spend
their local builders merchants. Of all the
the equivalent of:
activities that might typically fill a builder’s
• 2 years and 9 months talking to clients; working day, making tea trails at the bottom of
the list.”
• 2 years and 6 months driving their van;
Berry concluded: “Excellent communication with
• 2 years and 6 months at the builders’
clients is just one of the qualities that top class
merchants;
builders in the UK have. The FMB is launching the
• 2 years and 1 month training or supervising Master Builder Awards 2019, which aims to seek
junior colleagues or apprentices;
out and celebrate the very best builders in our
industry. Too often, the minority of dodgy builders
• 1 year and 9 months eating lunch;
give the whole industry a bad name. The Master
• 11 months trying to locate a particular tool; Builder Awards are all about dispelling any
misconceptions and showcasing the quality
• 6 months making tea.
builders who help home owners and clients
Commenting on the research, Brian Berry, Chief realise their building ambitions.”
SUPPLIER AWARD FOR MIDLAND LEAD
Midland Lead has been selected as the h&b
Group’s Supplier of the Year 2018.
The accolade, officially known as the ‘Peter Buttle
Supplier of the Year award’, after the buying group’s
founder, was announced at the h&b Group annual
Activity Event at The Belfry earlier this month.
After outshining other roofing and insulation
Lynn Street, Midland Lead.
suppliers in its own category, Midland Lead went
a lot of positive changes for Midland Lead and the
on to win the overall award, beating the five
award is another indication that we are
finalist suppliers nominated by their own select
continuing to move in the right direction. We have
expert product panels.
a great sales team that drives the company
Lynn Street, Midland Lead’s Sales and Marketing forward but sales contact is only a part of a much
Manager, was at the conference to receive the larger package. We strive to show that the ability
award. “I am hugely proud of this achievement to provide excellent customer service exists
for our company. The last nine months have seen within us all at Midland Lead.”
14 TC OCTOBER 2018