Software helps building firm keep its customers happy

Keeping the customer happy is paramount if you’re going to succeed in the construction business. And that means ensuring everyone knows where they stand from the initial quote to the final bill.

That’s according to Mark Jones, managing director of leading Cornish building firm MJ Building Services, which is continuing to expand operations from the Tamar to Land’s End since launching in 2001.

Rapid rise in material costs impacts on builder's profits

With the economy showing increased signs of recovery, builders are being advised to keep a keen eye on their margins or risk a slower than expected improvement in business or even making a loss on some jobs.

The warning comes from HBXL, the building software specialist company, which is expecting a marked increase in the cost of building materials in the New Year as demand starts to outstrip supply across the build sector.

Health & Safety Xpert now comes with simplified RIDDOR reporting.

On 1 October 2013 the revised Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR 2013) came into force.

Working with the company’s health & safety consultants HBXL have made the relevant changes to the HSE’s RIDDOR reporting update throughout the Health & Safety Xpert software – including all the individual documents and the user guide. Users of the software simply have to download the new version of Health & Safety Xpert to access the new information.

HBXL will continue to make sure users of the software stay on top of regulation changes in the future - including the significant CDM changes coming in 2014.

Five times a winner - ContractsXpert includes a sub-contractor contract

ContractsXpert has now gone from four contracts to five contracts all authored by the Federation of Master Builders.

The latest version of this important piece of software now provides added security. And HBXL has also taken the opportunity during this update to make a number of changes to all the contracts to ensure that users of the software are completely up-to-date with legislative changes.

Significant CDM changes coming in 2014

More consultations on the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (CDM Regulations) are imminent. Reports suggest that the set of changes from the HSE, due next year, are likely to be more extensive and have objectives more wide ranging than simply reducing bureaucracy.

Fee For Intervention fines top £5.5 million in first year

Builders need to improve their onsite health and safety or risk receiving hefty invoices for breach of their obligations.

The warning follows the first full year of the Fee For Intervention (FFI) initiative which was introduced by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) in October 2012 to improve safety on site.
With fines totalling £5,532,565 indicates that the HSE is cranking up the pressure. With the construction sector accounting for 36% of this figure (£1,991,723) means builders will have to up their game when it comes to their health and safety obligations.

Software helps building firm keep its customer happy

Keeping the customer happy is paramount if you’re going to succeed in the construction business. And that means ensuring everyone knows where they stand from the initial quote to the final bill.

That’s according to Mark Jones, managing director of leading Cornish building firm MJ Building Services, which is continuing to expand operations from the Tamar to Land’s End since launching in 2001.