Tradesman Career News Related News
Government needs to encourage homebuilding »
By Brian de Selby
The government needs to encourage more homebuilding to prevent another house price boom in the future, it has been claimed.
Tradesmen to help traders in Ludlow Market »
By Charles Murphy
Qualified tradesmen in Ludlow will be giving the town's market a major makeover by the end of the year after the town council placed an order to build new stalls by the winter.
Insulation improves a home without breaking the bank »
By Brian de Selby
Homeowners trying to make savings on their energy bills should consider hiring a qualified tradesman to install loft insulation, according to the National Home Improvement Council (NHIC).
Distance Learning Trade News
Home extensions should come with green refurbs
By Susie Cho
People employing tradesmen to make major renovations or refurbishments should be required to install energy-saving measures at the same time, according to one local authority.
Uttlesford District Council introduced the requirement three years ago, which states that people granted planning permission to build extensions must also spend ten per cent extra on improving the heating or insulation in their homes.
Around 1,400 extensions have been affected by the policy so far, leading to an estimated saving of 398,000 kg of CO2 per year as well as praise from the Federation of Master Builders and the Energy Saving Trust.
The council is now urging the government to follow suit by implementing the system nationwide, which would also have the beneficial effect of providing more work for qualified tradesmen.
"We've heard so many speeches on the urgent need for action on climate change – this is an opportunity for the government to match its rhetoric with swift action," commented Jake Roos, energy efficiency surveyor for Uttlesford District Council.
The suggestion follows calls from the Federation of Small Businesses to reduce the VAT on home renovations to five per cent in order to stimulate work for builders and tradesmen.
