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STATE OF TRADE SURVEY In the most recent State of Trade Survey from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), an overwhelming 86 per cent of respondents said now is the time to introduce mandatory licensing for building firms. With a focus on standards, licensing would professionalise the industry, remove rogue traders and help protect consumers. “Rogue traders take work away from quality builders and leave consumers out of pocket,” explains Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB. “With the cost of living rising the issue
© auremar/Adobe Stock
86 per cent of builders call for industry to be licensed, says FMB
will only get worse as consumers are drawn in by unscrupulous builders offering unrealistic timelines and prices.” FOR FURTHER INFORMATION VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAE001
PAYING THE PENALTY
Van drivers risking fines, according to VW
Almost half of van drivers are risking a £200 fine and six penalty points on their licence as a result of using a sat nav app on their smartphone, according to a study by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. The law now states it is illegal to touch your device – designed to prevent a loophole that allowed taking photos or scrolling on social media. While it is still legal to use sat nav on your mobile phone, it must be safely secured to the dashboard or windscreen, where it must not block your view. In addition, you must also have hands-free access, such as a Bluetooth headset, voice command, or integration with the on-board infotainment system, with police able to stop you if they see you are distracted by the phone. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BAE002
© Flamingo Images/Adobe Stock
SUPPLY AND DEMAND
Nine in 10 tradespeople forced to delay projects due to ongoing supplies shortages, finds Simply Business
Ongoing supplies shortages are costing UK tradespeople over £3.5bn in lost earnings with the vast majority forced to delay projects or turn down work. Nine in 10 (87 per cent) of tradespeople are being forced to delay projects due to the ongoing supplies shortage, a new report reveals. The shortages are caused by a damaging combination of unprecedented demand, tighter restrictions on imports after Brexit, and rising costs of materials, with costs ultimately passed down to the tradespeople and then the consumer. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BAE003
OFFICE SPACE
New research from Velux reveals a dedicated home office is non-negotiable Velux’s research shows one in five (20 per cent) of those working from home want to do this more and nearly half (46 per cent) of people who work from home, now work from home five days week. The findings also reveal that installing or replacing a window was one of the top three home improvements undertaken to transform a working from home space (10 per cent) Injecting daylight and fresh air into a room with a roof window is one of the easiest ways to transform a home office and improve working conditions, argues Velux. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAE004
MAKING AN IMPROVEMENT
The Latest Home Pride Index from Checkatrade reveals £40 billion was spent on home improvements last year British homeowners spent a collective £40 billion on home improvements in the last 12 months, according to Checkatrade’s latest Home Pride Index. Despite shortages of skilled trades and raw materials, over a third (37 per cent) of homeowners were more eager than ever to carry out work on their homes, spending an average of £2,706 on home improvements. TO VIEW CHECKATRADE’S HOME PRIDE INDEX, VISIT THE CHECKATRADE BLOG WWW.RDR.LINK/BAE005
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