Every architect I’ve spoken to lately has the same war story: a project delayed, a client frustrated, or a budget blown wide open — and more often than not, the root cause was MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing). The Problem: You’re Being Left to Pick Up the Pieces Architects are routinely handed MEP responsibilities without […]
Why Top Developers Are Shifting Air Quality Left Forget what you know about air quality compliance. It’s no longer a box-ticking exercise for planners, it’s the single biggest leverage point for de-risking projects, accelerating approvals, and creating market-defining assets. For too long, the industry has operated with a costly misconception: that air quality is an outdoor problem, […]
The Department for Business & Trade is consulting on major changes to retentions in construction. The consultation runs until 23 October 2025. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure fair treatment for contractors and subcontractors. The consultation proposes two options for retentions: The Scale of the Problem Over £4.5 billion is withheld in retentions across […]
Seasonal movement is a common issue faced by property owners, particularly in areas where soil conditions are reactive to environmental changes. This natural phenomenon can lead to a range of visible and sometimes serious consequences in and around buildings. Issues with Seasonal Movement As the seasons change between the dryer and wetter months, fluctuations in […]
It’s been a busy few weeks, and we’ve submitted two planning applications, and a pre-application submission in the last week alone. In a rare moment of calm, I’ve had a chance to reflect on the role of small sites in housing delivery, and specifically how the planning process plays into this. London will not meet […]
Before I begin this blog, I want to preface: It’s true, homes will sell regardless; which is why my blog is aimed more towards planning applications for developers, property investors, builders and architects. As this is a main pain point across the UK, REGARDLESS of who you are. Having said this however, some marketing teams […]
Construction and property specialist Watts respond to the news that Trump’s import tariffs will soon be hitting the UK. Ever heard the expression you’re only as good as your weakest link? Well, in construction, you’re only as strong as your supply chain. Most industries that begin at the procurement of raw materials – all the […]
In the face of global climate change and rising temperatures, managing indoor comfort has become a critical aspect of modern building design. The introduction of Approved Document O (ADO), effective from June 15, 2022, addresses the risk of overheating in residential buildings, setting guidelines for ensuring indoor thermal comfort. At the same time, the document […]
The National Planning Policy Framework (or ‘the NPPF’ as us planners like to call it!) is like the Bible for town planning in England. In short, every planning decision across the country needs to conform with the planning policies set out in it. This is all the way from a small extension to a large […]
Security for expenses ensures peace of mind for both parties during construction, by ring-fencing funds in case of damage or incomplete works. An Introduction to Security for ExpensesIn simple terms, security for expenses is a temporary cash reserve that is set aside while building work takes place on or around a shared boundary. It offers […]