This interesting article which we recently came across here at BuilderScrap discusses some helpful hints and tips for sustainable construction and green developments.  The article comes from the West Lancashire Council website.  Have a read and let us know what you think.
Our environment is precious and we strongly support design and construction that promotes environmental, social and economic gain – now and for future generations. Latest figures from the Environment Agency show that the construction and operation of buildings makes up 60% of the UK’s energy use and 50% of our greenhouse gas emissions.
Construction and demolition activities alone represent 19% of the country’s total waste. To help developers – or anyone planning construction work – to reduce these figures, we’ve put together a simple guide to some of the key areas of sustainable design and construction:

Energy Efficient Design:
The way in which a building is designed plays a huge part in how energy efficient it will be once it’s occupied. If the property is to be as energy efficient as possible, developers need to give consideration to the following during the design stage: 
Passive solar building design: Optimise the amount of energy that can be generated directly from the sun and reduce the need for heating and cooling appliances. This can be achieved by:
-large south facing windows that absorb the sun’s heat and daylight
-locating the main living areas of the development in the south facing rooms to maximise these natural benefits 
-planting deciduous trees to the south of the building – this will provide shade during summer and allow heat through in winter
Thermal mass: The thermal mass of a building is the ability of a material to absorb heat. Choosing a building fabric that is effective at heating, cooling and storing thermal energy is an efficient way of maintaining stable, comfortable temperatures. It also reduces the need for artificial systems and therefore reduces the impact on the environment. Materials with good thermal mass are those that have high specific heat capacity, high density and low thermal conductivity, enabling them to slowly store and release relatively large quantities of heat. 
Passive ventilation: Utilise natural ventilation methods to avoid the use of mechanical air conditioning.
Insulation: A high level of insulation in any new development is an essential step to an energy efficient design. Mineral wools and oil-based products should be avoided as they are non-renewable, have high embodied energy, are difficult to dispose of and release greenhouse gases during manufacture, installation, use and disposal. There are many types of natural, sustainable, insulation for example hemp natural fibres, recycled cotton, sheep’s wool or cellulose insulation, which comes from recycled newspapers.
Lighting: Install fixed energy efficient light fittings to minimise energy consumption and reduce CO2 emissions. This should include lighting in garages, outbuildings, communal areas and outside security or feature lighting.
Landscaping: Tree canopies and soft landscaping will provide natural shading and insulation. Open water in public places will also help reduce the heat island effect in urban areas.
Energy efficient appliances: These should be installed or specified, for example Combined Heat and Power systems (CHP) or gas condensing boilers.
Bicycle storage: Provision of these facilities will help encourage future occupants to use a bicycle for short journeys and leave the car at home.
Drying space: Provide residents with the option of allowing washing to dry naturally – avoiding the need for heating or drying appliances.
Home office: Office space with internet connection provides the opportunity to work from home, reducing the need to travel especially during peak travel times when roads are heavily congested.
Information packs: Developers should provide all future residents with a home information pack detailing the energy efficiency of the building and environmentally friendly tips to reduce energy use, water use, waste and travel.

Renewable Energy: Renewable energy is a high priority to help us meet the national goal of a 80% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050. In 2000, central government set the wheels in motion by placing a target of achieving 10% of our electricity supply from renewable sources by 2010. We strongly encourage proposals for renewable energy generation. All development sites should be assessed for opportunities to install renewables and should consider if a mix of technologies would be most effective. Building designs should also allow for the future installations of renewables. Types of renewable and low carbon technologies include: 
Wind power 
Solar photovoltaics
Solar water heating
Biomass heating
Wave and tidal
Ground source heat pumps
Hydroelectric power
Geothermal power
More information about renewable energies can be found at the Department of Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform website.  Large and high-density developments should also consider incorporating sustainable energy supplies such as Combined Heat and Power, and Borough cooling systems.

Building Materials: Below are a few things for developers to consider with regard to building materials.
Re-use and recycle: Opportunities for re-using existing materials on site should be explored.  Of course BuilderScrap can help with the reuse of materials by finding buyers for any surplus building materials. Where this is not practical, materials should be recycled. Using new materials that can be recycled at the end of their life should also be prioritised. 
Embodied energy: This is the amount of energy required to produce a product. For example UPVC windows have high embodied energy due to their long manufacturing process, which requires fuel and produces toxic bi-products. They are also very difficult to recycle after use and will not biodegrade over time. Timber has a low embodied energy, as it is a natural product that is easily utilised. It can also be easily re-used and will biodegrade. Timber can be easily repaired which is more sustainable than throwing it away and replacing with new. Timber should be from a sustainable source.
Locally sourced: Products that can be sourced locally should be used to minimise the emissions from vehicles used to transport goods.
Construction activities: Activities carried out during the construction phase can often cause significant environmental impacts if not managed correctly. Measures should be put in place to manage and control the amount of energy and water used. A site waste management plan should be followed to ensure waste is kept to a minimum and emissions to air, land and water are controlled at all times.
Waste Management: All construction sites produce waste, so it’s important to try and keep it to a minimum by reducing, re-using and recycling materials wherever possible. Government regulations make it compulsory for developments costing over £300,000 to have a Site Waste Management Plan – but this is a great idea for any development. A management plan will help increase the amount of construction waste that is recovered, recycled and re-used, improve resource efficiency and help ensure you are compliant with waste management legislation.
Storage of waste: Developers should ensure that sufficient waste storage is provided to allow future residents to store recycling containers and separate their waste. Access for collection crew and vehicles should also be considered in the early design stages.

Here at BuilderScrap, we have recently come across this intersting article on the Sustainable Build website.  The article looks at eco friendly methods of construction and greener building materials.  Here at BuilderScrap, we believe that the reuse of surplus materials can greatly benefit the environment, but there are lots more things people can do.
There is an urgent need to address the great challenges of our times: climate change, resource depletion, pollution, and peak oil. These issues are all accelerating rapidly, and all have strong links with the building industry.
There is a growing consensus from scientists and the oil industry that we are going to reach peak oil in the next twenty years, and that we might have reached this point already. Global demand is soaring, whilst global production is declining, and oil is set to become increasingly expensive and scarce. The building industry is hugely dependent on cheap oil, from the manufacture and transportation of its materials, to the machinery and tools used in demolition and construction. In the UK, it uses vast quantities of fossil fuels, accounting for over half of total carbon emissions that lead to climate change. The built environment is also responsible for significant amounts of air, soil and water pollution, and millions of tonnes of landfill waste. This is a situation that clearly needs to change.
Reducing Energy Consumption
With the inevitability of declining fossil fuels, and the threat of global climate change, reducing our energy consumption is an essential survival strategy. Choosing to build green saves energy. The low embodied energy of green products ensures that very little energy went into their manufacture and production, with a direct reduction in carbon emissions. Eco friendly design methodology can further reduce energy consumption by minimising energy inputs for heating, cooling and light, and incorporating energy efficient appliances. Saving energy for the occupant also saves money – an issue that will become increasingly important as the cost of fossil fuels inevitably rises in the near future.
Building Healthier Homes
Eco-friendly construction can not only help to create a better outdoor environment, it can also help to build a healthier indoor environment. Conventional building materials and methods have been linked to a wide range of health problems. Chemical pollutants from paints, solvents, plastics and composite timbers, along with biological pollutants such as dust mites and moulds are known to cause symptoms such as asthma, headaches, depression, eczema, palpitations and chronic fatigue syndrome. Green buildings eliminate these problems through good ventilation design, breathable walls, and the use of natural, non-toxic products and materials.
There are many good reasons why we should use eco-friendly construction methods and materials. It can improve the health of our planet, and the health of our own lives. It also supports local business and helps strengthen the local economy, which in turn helps to build our communities into vibrant, prosperous and desirable places to live.
A Necessary Choice
Green building is not only a wise choice for our future; it is also a necessary choice. The construction industry must adopt eco-friendly practices and materials that reduce its impacts, before we reach a point of irreversible damage to our life supporting systems. The UK Government is beginning to recognise this urgency, and is committed to integrating green specifications into building regulations and codes, but the process of developing policy is slow. The industry needs to take its own initiative and find alternative ways to build, using green, renewable energy resources, and adopt non-polluting practises and materials that reduce, recycle and reuse, before it is too late.

Today’s BuilderScrap blog post is from a guest blogger.  Paul Martin is Health and Safety Manager for The Trustland Group, an industrial and commercial contractor based in the North West of England.  Paul writes this month about The Ladder Exchange Initiative, which all builders and contractor should be aware of.

 The HSE run an annual ladder exchange. This year the Ladder Exchange Initiative will run from 1st September until 31st December 2009.

The Ladder Exchange Initiative is simple; if you have a ladder which is bent, broken or battered you can part exchange it for a new one at any one of the HSE’s partner outlets who are offering discounts on the sales of all ladders at very competitive rates. It also provides dutyholders with an opportunity to review pre-use checks, training, supervision and other arrangements for ladder work.
Over the last two years HSE has worked collaboratively with Local Authorities, and several partner outlets, to remove over 5,500 ‘dodgy’ ladders from the workplace. As a result of these successes, Ladder Exchange will now be an annual initiative.

During 2007/2008 58 workers died and 3623 suffered a serious injury as a result of a fall from height. Ladders remain the most common agent involved and account for more than a quarter of all reported falls from height incidents.

There are a few simple checks you can make as a user.

Every time you use a ladder you should do a pre-use check beforehand to make sure that it is safe for use.

A pre use check should be carried out by the user:

• At the beginning of the working day; and
• After something has changed i.e. ladder dropped or moved from a dirty area to a clean area

The benefit of conducting daily pre-use checks is that they provide the opportunity to pick up any immediate/serious defects before they cause an accident.

Leaning Ladder checks:

• Check the stiles; do not use the ladder if they are bent or damaged – the ladder could buckle or collapse.
 
• Check the feet; do not use the ladder if they are missing or worn or damaged – the ladder could slip.

• Check the rungs; do not use the ladder if they are bent, missing or loose – the ladder could become unstable.

Step Ladder checks:

• Check the locking bars; do not use the ladder if they are bent or the fixings are worn or damaged – the ladder could collapse.

• Check the feet; do not use the ladder if they are missing or worn or damaged – the ladder could slip.
 
• Check the stepladder platform; do not use the ladder if it is split or buckled – the ladder could become unstable or collapse.

• Check the steps or treads; do not use the ladder if they are contaminated – they could be slippery.

• Check the steps; do not use the ladder if the fixings are loose – they could collapse.

• Check the stiles; do not use the ladder if they are bent or damaged – the ladder could buckle or collapse.

Following these simple rules may save your life. For more information on the HSE’s shattered lives campaign visit their website.

We have recently come across this interesting article which highlights ten tips for complying with the Code for Sustainable Homes.

Whilst much of the housing industry has become familiar with the Code for Sustainable Homes rating, the 300-page Technical Guide can still present a daunting prospect.
The Code Simply Explained, produced by experts from BRE and NHBC, has been produced as a handy guide to help developers, builders and contractors comply with the Code and achieve a good score in a practical and cost-effective manner.

In particular it focuses on Levels 3 and 4 as the most commonly specified at present, but with principles equally applicable to all levels of the Code.

Below are ten top tips from the NHBC Foundation for climbing up the Code rating system, adapted from The Code Simply Explained (full copy):

1. Start early
At a very early stage, before the site layout has been finalised, start to consider Code-related issues. Particularly mandatory requirements which must be implemented in full to achieve any Code level rating in many cases. But credits may be achieved more easily for issues such as energy, daylighting, and ecology amongst others if measures are integrated into the design now, for example by orientating roofs and living spaces to the south to make best use of solar energy. Seek advice from a qualified Code assessor to ensure that the criteria have been correctly understood.
2. Target easy-win credits
Several credits can be achieved through measures which are independent of the design and achievable in all developments. This includes simple measures such as energy-efficient light fittings and a drying line, and will be cost-effective to specify in most developments.
 3. Enhance ecology and reduce flood risk
By taking site factors such as flood risk and ecological values into account at an early stage, the baseline for the Code score can be assessed. Sites of high ecological value or with a risk of flooding are likely to increase the cost of achieving a high Code rating, so this needs to be considered. An ecological survey following Code guidelines will still be worthwhile to improve the score for most sites, both Greenfield and previously developed.
 4. Effective construction and supply chain management
Implementing measures relating to the construction stage such as monitoring of energy and water use and reducing pollution risk can be a cost-effective way to improve your score, but requires preparation in advance of starting on site so that procedures are in place and the workforce are aware of them. In particular, a Site Waste Management Plan is a mandatory requirement so must be given early consideration. Modern Methods of Construction using offsite construction can help make this process easier.
5. Reduce water consumption in the planning stages
Early attention to Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDs) can be cost-effective and potentially provide amenity value through the use of water features such as ponds.  The mandatory requirement to reduce runoff volumes, and not just peak run off rates, is an important one to get right, necessitating full consideration of infiltration and rainwater harvesting opportunities. Rainwater harvesting can contribute to reducing surface water runoff and reduce internal water use, but this needs very careful design to meet the requirements of both.
6. Plan the layout to give the space you need
Considering the site layout from an early stage gives the best opportunity to include space requirements for highly weighted Lifetime Homes credits, and a design that enables direct access to rear gardens means that garden sheds can be used for cycle storage. An option for a room-in-the-roof means that an extra credit can be gained to improve the score later on, if this proves to be the preferred strategy.
7. Consider the environmental impact of your materials
Looking at the proposed building materials early means that most types of constructions can perform well – there are many equivalent products with lower environmental impact but equally fit for purpose. There is a mandatory requirement for ratings against the Green Guide so a strategy to achieve that is vital.
8. Ensure your house is Secured By Design
Incorporate the recommendations of a police architectural liaison officer or crime prevention design officer to meet Part 2 of the Secured By Design award is a straightforward way to gain extra credits
9. Insulate to improve performance and reduce consumption
Designing the building fabric to achieve a good sound performance and air tightness and to avoid thermal bridges requires many of the same principles and can help achieve credits in several different areas. Building fabric with a high thermal performance will help to reduce carbon emissions and provide benefits to residents for the full lifetime of the building,
10. Employ strategies to enhance energy sources
Ensure a strategy is in place for low and zero carbon energy technologies, such as renewables and CHP. Most developments will need these technologies to meet Code Level 3 or higher, and the mandatory requirements for carbon dioxide emissions can be very expensive or impractical to achieve unless their integration is planned from the start.

BuilderScrap have recently begun workign with BRE to discuss how the two initiatives can benefit each other.  Watch this space for news!

This weeks first instalment of the BuilderScrap sustainable construction draft responses…Enjoy!

Q: One aim of the proposal would be to create an integrated approach to maintain and where possible enhance biodiversity as a result of construction sector activity. Please say what you think would be helpful to companies in the construction sector to support the aims of maintaining and enhancing biodiversity.

1. One third of those who responded to this question cited the important role of the planning system in ensuring that biodiversity was taken into account in new developments. Better use might be made of the Planning Gain Supplement – or of Supplementary Planning Guidance – in implementing green infrastructure initiatives.

2. Just over a quarter of respondents identified the need for raising awareness of biodiversity issues and the role of training throughout the supply chain to improve understanding of how individual projects could contribute to biodiversity and the creation of public green space.

3. Just under a quarter of respondents cited the need for a simple guide, widely available, on biodiversity and for a list of quick wins on how to improve and protect biodiversity on projects. Many commented that there were already several relevant regulatory and good practice measures and requirements (e.g. Environmental Assessments, such as BREEAM and Biodiversity Action Plans) which might be included in the Strategy.

4. Some suggested that environmental assessment methodologies, such as BREEAM, could serve to enhance and measure biodiversity on sites. These tools could also be developed to provide credit for site-wide ecological enhancement. Environmental Management Plans such as BREEAM and Biodiversity Action Plans were existing mechanisms for helping the construction industry engage more effectively with conservation and biodiversity issues.

5. Some respondents suggested the Strategy should acknowledge the importance of a green infrastructure in delivering a range of social, environmental and economic benefits. Attenuating storm water run-off through the use of green roofs and green space was, for instance, seen as an important component of sustainable communities. To realise its full potential, considerations about the green infrastructure needed to be taken into account in development proposals from the outset.

6. Many respondents welcomed the proposal to convene a construction and building materials industry workshop. A result of this workshop might be a Draft Strategy for Sustainable Construction Chapter Title: Biodiversity set of guidance papers for the industry developed in partnership with a range of organisations such as local water authorities, Natural England, the Environment Agency, wildlife Trusts, NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations), the Town and Country Planning Association, CIRIA (Construction Industry Research and Information Association), BSRIA, the Building Research Establishment, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and English Heritage.

7. Some respondents favoured a stronger emphasis on the natural environment in the targets for sustainable construction. Possible targets could be impacts on biodiversity which were neutral or enhancing (e.g. in terms of species and habitats), which could be measured through BREEAM or CEEQUAL (Civil Engineering Environmental Quality and Assessment Scheme).

8. Other suggested possibilities included:

The creation of habitat maps for particular species or wildlife in the area around a site;

Encouraging consultants and developers to increase habitat links in the area as a means of enhancing the biodiversity of the site;

Options to contribute to biodiversity projects offsite; and

The development of Site Biodiversity Action Plans for projects over a certain value (say £1m).

Respondents also pointed out that initial site surveys of biodiversity could be time-sensitive (subject to seasonal variations) and delay development considerably..

More from the BuilderScrap.com office, this post focuses on the legislation that hinders sustainability in business operations.

Q: We would be grateful for information from you on specific pieces of legislation which are impeding your ability to be more sustainable in your business operations.

1. Many respondents favoured better and simpler regulation. A number of respondents highlighted the importance of more effective planning and Building Control (and enforcement) system to help to deliver change, achieve clarity, ensure compliance and lead to improved standards.

2. A number of respondents considered the UK waste regime to be too complex (particularly for SMEs) and that there needed to be greater clarity in the definition of waste and current licensing, recycling and reuse issues.

3. Some respondents felt there was a positive role for regulation to frame and drive up standards, while creating a period of certainty during which industry could adapt its processes and products to the new standards. Some said that regulation should be complemented by other initiatives such as financial incentives to encourage innovation.

4. Some respondents said the Strategy was an opportunity to develop mechanisms to change things for the better. Many contributors from the industry, institutions and trade bodies were committed to this change. They looked to Government leadership to set a framework for change to which individuals and businesses could commit.

More from Draft Strategy for Sustainable Construction. At BuilderScrap.com we continue to publish extracts from this draft not only because it aligns with our goals but also the nature of feedback given is important to us.  Let us know what you think!

Q: Which of the proposed actions for business do you consider to be a priority? Why? What are the barriers to implementing this action and how might they be overcome? Who should take the lead in implementing this action?

1. Some respondents felt it wrong to focus on priorities since action was required across a broad front. Others suggested a single action. Some discussed the difficulty of appraising design quality.

2. The three top priorities identified by respondents were: early supply chain engagement or integration; greater demand for Design Quality Indicators (DQIs) and BREEAM; and for clients to drive the process. There was little comment on how contractors might promote the adoption of DQIs more effectively when this was primarily an issue for the client. There was an
important role for the public sector as client and scope for using better regulation to promote the uptake of BREEAM standards.

3. A number of respondents felt that more attention should be paid to the supply chain and the role of integrated teams rather than the client / designer relationship.

4. The continuing focus on initial cost rather than whole life value was seen as key. In the public sector, the distinction between capital expenditure and operational budgets characterised the issue. Lack of knowledge sharing between professions could result in “partial” advice and guidance.

Here at the BuilderScrap office, we recently came across this interesting article on the HGTV Pro website.  This article explains how it is easier to cut costs to increase your margin than to raise prices in a sluggish market. 

With housing starts in the doldrums in some markets, home builders need to make every dollar count to remain cost-competitive while still providing top value. Builders can cut their construction costs in myriad ways, says Charles C. Shinn Jr., president of the Lee Evans Group/Shinn Consulting in Littleton, Colo., and all will pay off.

“If you can reduce construction costs by only $10 per cost code, you will significantly increase your profits,” he stresses. There typically are about 100 cost codes per house, creating $1,000 of increased profit per house. Even better, there are many ways to find that $10.
Cutting direct construction costs provides the most effective way to boost profits, he notes. Land costs and operating expenses are generally fixed, and it’s difficult to raise prices in a tight market. “You have the most control over these costs, and you need to attack them on all fronts to control and reduce them.” He points to at least 20 areas where costs can be cut:

1. Create target construction-cost budgets.
Develop a preliminary direct-construction cost budget for each cost code and design, and then estimate and specify to maintain that cost and profits. “Direct costs are the only variable in the pricing formula,” he says.
2. Improve your working drawings.
By making all drawings uniform and detailed, you avoid missing details and create consistency that ensures no change orders or lost productivity by crews.
3. Design and specify homes for your customers.
Survey customers to learn what they like (and don’t like) and what they are willing to pay for. Then tailor the homes to those preferences. “Fall out of love with your homes,” Shinn suggests, and give homebuyers what they want, not what you want to give them.
4. Analyze standard specifications.
Ensure they truly are standard and put an emphasis on the areas that customers perceive to create high value. Conduct a cost/benefit analysis to cut back where possible, and offer alternatives as options and upgrades. 5. Don’t overdo standard specifications.
“Extra amounts of standard features have diminishing value and eliminate potential areas for upgrades,” Shinn warns.
6. Change the level of specification between floors.
Create a more sumptuous look for the public first floor and cut back where possible on moldings, trim, door heights and other areas on upper levels.
7. Analyze low gross-profit plans.
Determine where the plans have excess specifications, and work to reduce those cost areas wherever possible.
8. Create a true purchase-order system to control all charges.
“Do not accept invoices, and pay only the purchase-order amounts you approved,” he says.
9. Issue complete construction-start packages prior to start.
Completeness ensures no change orders or redundancies in finishing each stage. However, this approach does require customers to make all selections before the project starts.
10. Improve estimating and purchasing.
Conduct your own in-house detailed quantity take-offs. “Don’t leave this to your trades and vendors,” Shinn warns. All agreements also should be documented, and they should be based on unit pricing instead of lump-sum bids.
11. Value-engineer your plans to ensure they are still efficient.
Consider new and alternative materials that may have been introduced and proven since the plans were drawn up.
12. Work with trades to eliminate inefficiencies.
Treat them well so they will help you maintain schedules, manage their work better and clean up and organize the site.
13. Conduct “As-Built Audits.
” These investigations allow the superintendent and estimator to ensure materials are being used correctly and the proper amounts are specified.
14. Gain control of construction-cost variances.
“These can equal or exceed profits,” Shinn warns. Using a purchase-order system will help document where variances occur. Analyze them to find why they arise.
15. Don’t get wed too closely to your trade contractors.
“Sacred cows cost a lot,” he says. Always obtain at least three competitive bids always, and be willing to release a job to a new trade contractor if he meets your criteria.
16. Question the engineers.
Evaluate the design of the structural system, trusses, floors and HVAC to ensure they continue to be the most efficient approaches.
17. Improve negotiating techniques with your vendors.
Do your homework and focus on the most important areas, Shinn says. These include payment and volume discounts, displays, sales training, collateral, delivery arrangements, backorder penalties, rebates and a host of other options.
18. Break up turnkey trades.
You can save as much as 15 to 25 percent if you buy materials and labor separately, he estimates. It creates more challenges for the superintendent, but it unbundles processes and drives out hidden costs.
19. Improve material inventory and control.
Create a system to protect delicate and fragile products, including entry doors, countertops and tubs, so damage doesn’t eat into profits. Monitor your Dumpster to ensure waste is not growing, and keep a close eye out for diverted materials. Be sure to return unused or damaged materials for credit rather than throwing it away.
20. Standardize your construction processes everywhere.
“Be consistent and reliable, efficient and effective,” he stresses. “Establish a culture of discipline.”

Controlling direct construction costs is critical, Shinn says. “In today’s housing slump, with the need to reduce sales prices to maintain volume, it is extremely important to reduce direct costs to maintain profit and become a superior profit builder.”

We thought this article was really interesting as now is a crucial time for everyone within the construction industry to manage their costs.  BuilderScrap can help cut construction costs, by lowering the amount of waste sent to landfill, as well as providing a source for low cost building materials.

Some more information from the Draft Strategy for Sustainable Construction. The purpose of the paper is to gain respondents views on the outlined proposals using qualitative data.

Q: Is target 5.2 stretching, achievable and realistic? If not, then please propose an alternative. Which organisations should be responsible for this target?

Target 5.2 proposed that 20% of all projects with a value in excess of £1 million should have used the Design Quality Indicators and Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) or equivalents and achieve an excellent rating, by the end of 2008.

1. There was a broad range of responses and no clear consensus on this proposed target. Some felt the target was insufficiently challenging; others felt it was unachievable.

2. Several questioned whether the target was appropriate, with a number saying it was very difficult for rural buildings to attain an “Excellent” BREEAM rating. Others questioned how the BREEAM target might be measured since the assessment was confidential between the client and the assessor. Others commented that BREEAM did not assess social
issues. There were questions about how the 20% of projects would be identified and whether a “blanket” £1m threshold was appropriate for all types of construction projects.

The final installment of the excellent Sustainability versus the Credit Crunch artcile written by the National Federation of Builders, follows here.  We at BuilderScrap found this article to be extremely interesting and hope that you have too.  Why not let us know what you think?

The three pillars of sustainability are environmental, social and economic.  The only pillar not yet dealt with is economic – how can you position your business to whether the down turn and be competitive once the storm has past?  Membership of a Trade Federation makes even more sense during hard times than it does in good.  It is never more important to use the opportunities that membership presents to you to share and benefit from the collective experience, whether it is taking advantage of the advice available at no additional cost; training services for management and personal development training, or the ability to procure sensibly at discounted rates leveraging the buying power of a large group.  Membership also allows you to influence the direction of lobbying work, ensuring your voice is heard on key issues such as fair payments, public sector procurement and VAT.   Complimentary services that will help you keep your business running, such as access to additional finance, are also available through Business Link.
Competition for work is fierce and the economic outlook is uncertain.  However, there are ways of steering a sustainable path through the uncertainty.