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December 1998 |
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Opinion |
| Listening To Your Views |
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Ian Davis, Director General of the FMB, welcomes the announcement by the Inland Revenue of two extra-statutory concessions in respect of the turnover tests under the new Construction Industry Scheme |
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News |
| Survey Reveals Concern Over 'Bodge Jobs' |
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A recent survey has revealed a staggering 94 percent of people think tradesmen who carry out serious repairs or structural work should be legally required to supply a written guarantee of the work |
| Minister Plans Further Meeting To Discuss Training |
| Co-ordinating registration schemes was one of the themes discussed when Construction Minister Nick Raynsford met with members of the Strategic Forum of Construction National Training Organisations |
| OFT Calls For Register Of Traders |
| The Office of Fair Trading has called for a new register of traders committed to high standards and effective consumer redress |
| House Building Rate Slows Down |
| UK house building activity declined during the third quarter of 1998 according to figures released by the National House Building Council |
| National Minimum Wage Draws Nearer |
| The consultation period for the National Minimum Wage is now over and the Government expects to legislate by April of 1999 |
| Where Is All The Government Money Going ? |
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FMB members could be encouraged to form partnerships in an effort to bid for big money contracts which at present they are ruled out of pitching for |
| Fighting The Scourge Of Late Payment |
| Research has found that rampant late payment is seriously damaging economic growth and employment in Europe and the building industry is one of the worst affected sectors |
| BRE Launches Green Guide |
| The Building Research Establishment has published a new edition of the 'Green Guide To Specification'. The guide is a primary source for making environmental assessments of building materials and components |
| Beware Of Grafters |
| A new television series about cowboy builders has prompted the FMB to remind the public of its free leaflet which aims to help people chose a reputable builder |
| Employment Disputes |
| New measures to help resolve employment rights disputes are now in force. The measures streamline tribunal procedures and encourage much greater use of voluntary alternatives |
| FMB Member Wins National Award |
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A delighted Federation member has been named amongst the top 12 installers of condensing boilers in the country in a contest organised by the Energy Saving Trust |
| CRE New Code Of Practice |
| Care & Repair has published a new code of practice for small building works financed by local authority or charity grants in tandem with private finance |
| BCF Lead Booklet |
| The British Coatings Federation has published a new booklet on lead in painted surfaces |
| A Future Underground |
| The Basement Development Group believes volume housebuilders are underestimating demand for new properties with basements |
| Hire Chain Founder Passes Away |
| A.H. (Bert) Taylor, reputed founder of the UK hire industry, has died aged 82 years |
| CITB Hit By Swing To Direct Pay |
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The CITB says it has obtained 'widespread support' for an increase in its PAYE levy rate to counteract a threatened drop in income caused by the continuing swing from sub-contracted to directly paid labour |
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Features |
| PFI - Achieving The Impossible? |
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Paul Sewell tells how the recession of the mid-1990's resulted in his company becoming involved with the Private Finance Initiative in order to survive |
| Marketing - Building Your Reputation |
| In this article, Alan Fielder, National Sales Manager at Swish Building Products, Window Division, looks at the power of marketing, the various methods and how builders can use the tool to build their reputation |
| Federation Man Strides Into Europe |
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The ninth Annual Congress of the European Builders Confederation was held in Macon, France, on September 25, 1998 with evidence growing of a unanimity of purpose among the constituent associations, and the Secretariat of EBC being held in ever higher regard by the EU Commission |
| A 10 Point Plan To Marketing Your Firm |
| Stephen Elliot of Constructive Dialogue puts forward a ten-point plan for developing your marketing strategy followed by a range of effective ways to tell your customers why you are the best for the job |
| FMB Anniversary Medals Go To Museum |
| Two medals struck to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Federation of Master Builders have been accepted in to a Scottish museum |
Last modified: 13 April 1999.> |
