That’s one of the hottest trends currently sweeping the country on new builds, refurbs and renovation projects.
With the country’s economy also improving has seen more people push the button on projects that stalled during the downturn and despite manufacturers and builders feeling a bit of a bump in August, the overall picture is one of optimism for 2016.
News on what’s hot across the build sector comes from HBXL which is predicting a rise in requests for features such as bi-fold doors and roof lanterns.
The team at the leading software developer also believes that with the deadline for Permitted Development Rights (PDR) currently coming to an end in May 2016 will result in an influx of home owners pushing through extension projects.
Simon Wild, senior estimator at HBXL’s estimating service said: “Much of the work SMEs are building is still traditional brick and block, however there has been a move towards people opening up their kitchen spaces with big structural openings. A lot of people are also taking the corner out of their houses with bi-fold doors all the rage.”
Tom Crozier operations manager adds that they are also seeing a lot of requests for roof lanterns which add light to a property on the back of TV home improvement programmes.
Joanna Mulgrew, sales and marketing director at HBXL Building Software echoes that sentiment towards this type of work and has resulted in the software specialist incorporating a wide range of estimating calculators for PVC-U products into its EstimatorXpress software.
This includes bi-fold doors and roof lights enabling builders to easily and quickly price up this type of work.
In addition and reacting to what its customers are looking to price up, HBXL has teamed up with Crystal Direct, one of the country’s best known manufacturers and suppliers of PVC-U windows, doors, conservatories and roof lights, giving access to live material prices from the company’s catalogue.
This includes Crystal Direct’s new WarmCore product, an innovative aluminium folding sliding door system that delivers a high performance fenestration framing solution known as ‘warm aluminium’.
Joanna added: “As trends evolve it means we too have to provide access to price lists that our customers want. Giving our users direct access to the price list of Crystal Direct will therefore allow them to price up quickly and accurately jobs that include bi-fold doors and roof lights.”
But it’s not just the trends in building that the HBXL team has noticed but a continued rise in the IT savviness of builders, which in recent years has grown significantly.
Backed up by Professional Builder’s own stats from the Changes in Professional Builder readership profile survey which found that 89% of Professional Builder readers said they used the internet for business purposes, with 78% using their smart phone to order materials.
This according to Joanna demonstrates how a new generation of builders are making the most of technology to maximise a project’s profitability through the use of software and IT.
She added: “Technology can help builders do things better, cheaper and faster and our software is no exception. When builders use our software they’re buying a means to make their business more professional, maximise their time and make more money.”
For further information on HBXL please call T: 0117 9167 898 or visit the web site www.hbxl.co.uk
