News

By law, all new homes will have to be zero-carbon rated from 2016, housing minister John Healey confirmed yesterday.

UK door manufacturer Sentry Doors has been awarded the Product Manufacturer Award at the annual Chartered Institute of Building's Celebrating Construction in South Yorkshire Awards 2009.

Plumbing and heating merchants BSS Group saw revenue fall 5.1% and pre-tax profits fall 23% in the six months to September 30. However sales of renewables were 170% up.

Staff at Essex builders merchant Kent Blaxill raised £635 for national charity Children in Need through a variety of activities last Thursday and Friday.

The Construction Products Association has welcomed the appointment of Paul Morrell as the government's first Chief Construction Adviser (CCA).

This month's BMJ features Wolseley's huge investment in the self-build house, a look at how Derby merchants Clower & Sons are embracing change and an interview with Jo Wild about the prospects for Ecomerchant as part of the Burdens family.

It may be more expensive than first thought to build houses to levels 4 and 6 of the Code for Sustainable Homes when using traditional building materials, according to a new report.

Householders have no idea that they may require planning permission to pave over their driveways, according to new research commissioned by Brett Landscaping.

According to the National Housebuilding Council's latest figures, 9,163 new homes were started in October, the highest number since July 2008.

Quantity surveyor Paul Morrell is expected to be announced as chief construction adviser this week, according to Building.