Latest news with #builders
Bloomberg
2 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Hello Spartanburg! The Affordability Migration Finds New Homes
Spartanburg, not Atlanta. San Antonio, not Austin. A challenging housing market is pulling builders away from metros they've long favored to smaller cities, where it's easier to construct the kinds of homes Americans can afford. The shift raises questions about the future of big Southern metros that have historically made affordability central to their pitch to migrants from high-cost parts of the country. Many house hunters now find themselves priced out in these destinations by a combination of expensive homes and mortgage rates near 7%. Moreover, cautious buyers are driving resale inventory higher in traditional construction hot spots, depressing prices enough that the economics of building there have become more difficult.
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
First version of list of overseas made building products available in NZ released
building national 19 minutes ago The first version of a document listing all international building products now available in New Zealand has been released as the first step in the government's plans to turbo charge the construction sector. Certified Builders Chief Executive Malcom Fleming spoke to Charlotte Cook.
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Government proposes scaffolding rules change to align with risk level
Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver The government wants to streamline "complex" scaffolding rules to cut costs and boost building time. Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden will begin consulting with builders and construction professionals on how to simplify scaffolding rules and the prequalification process. Prequalification checks are done before a company or contractor can bid on or start work, to verify whether they can do a job safely. In a statement, van Velden said there are concerns from the sector scaffolding rules are too complex and have led to a view that scaffolding should be used in all situations, regardless of risk. "Over-compliance needlessly drags down construction productivity, increasing building time and costs for the sector, and impacting new builds and Kiwi homeowners." she said. Photo: 123rf Officials will consult on some proposed new rules, which would let people choose safety options based on how dangerous the job was. "Changes will ensure scaffolding use is better aligned with the level of risk. If it's not very risky, they will not need to use expensive scaffolding. For example, they will be considering whether a ladder could be used instead of scaffolding for a simple roof gutter repair or minor electrical maintenance when working at height. She said many in the industry were frustrated with the time and money prequalifications took to complete. "Businesses feel like they have to jump through hoops to tick a compliance box when getting prequalified, even though the prequalification often involves little reflection of the real-world risks workers face. Some have said they have walked away from clients as the cost of getting prequalified is not worth the value of the work." "A lack of consistency across providers means that suppliers need to get a new prequalification for every job they tender for, with one submitter saying they completed 76 in a year." Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone WorkSafe will work with the industry to revise its prequalification guidance and develop an Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) to cut down on their over-use. The inister said work was also underway to update scaffolding certificate of competence categories, with a review of certificate fees set to follow. "Concerns have been raised about the distinction between qualifications and actual competency. Many feel that on-the-job experience should be better recognised. There's also confusion about what constitutes sufficient training, and frustration with inconsistent advice from regulators," van Velden said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero], a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
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Travel + Leisure
23-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
This On-Sale Shed With Tons of Functional Windows Doubles as a Mini Backyard Getaway
Believe it or not, you don't have to pack luggage and hop on a plane to get away. Shoppers are investing in tiny homes that feel like an escape and won't break the bank, which leads us to the Handy Home Windemere Shed. People have transformed the contemporary construction into various types of spaces, including a camping getaway site, an extra office space, an art studio, and a tiny waterfront house. So, if a backyard retreat piques your interest, consider bringing this charming shed home while it's on sale for just under $3,100 at Wayfair. Measuring 10 feet wide, 12 feet deep, and 10 feet tall, and offering 120 square feet of floor space, this small space-friendly hut is whatever you make of it. For instance, one shopper, who loves being outdoors, turned it into a camping getaway site. Whereas another buyer transformed it into a work office and 'added a bathroom with a beautiful shower, toilet, and sink.' While several reviewers reported that it took them days to build the outdoor storage shed, many noted that the instructions were easy to follow, including one who mentioned that it 'came with everything that was needed and was exactly what I was looking for.' Plus, for security reasons, it has a rust- and corrosion-resistant handle with a lock and two keys. If you want to turn this shed into an art or yoga studio, you'll be happy to hear that it has a lot of windows (11, to be exact), which, as one reviewer said, gives it an 'open feeling.' The 6-foot-high double doors, which come pre-hung with integrated transom windows that help keep it ventilated, also don't go unnoticed. A shopper who was looking for something more elevated than a basic shed to store their patio furniture during the winter said, 'This sealed the deal' for them, adding that they were able to adjust the windows to fit their needs. Long story short, this woodshed provides a place to escape to year-round, and now is the time to invest while it's marked down at Wayfair. Below, we've rounded up a few more highly rated options that are worth the splurge, including a Handy Home Tribeca Shed that you can have installed for an additional fee (because why lift a finger if you don't have to?).
The Sun
18-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
I'm 100% guilty of the ‘selfish train trend' everyone's moaning about – call me a nightmare commuter, I'll never change
MOANS about 'selfish' train habits have been doing the round on social media, and while I'm sure they're meant to embarrass me into changing, it's not going to happen. I've lived in London for 10 years, and before that grew up just outside the city, so I'm well aware of the courtesy rules we have here and across many other parts of the UK. 4 4 4 But there are many that I refuse to follow, and I don't feel bad about it one bit. Commuting has never been the most comfortable way to get around, but with TfL prices going up each year, I do my best to make sure I am comfortable. I'm not opposed to pushing my way to a seat on a crowded train and I'm not that fussed if it was 'your turn' to sit down. We're in the city, you gotta be quick or someone will take it (like me). And I won't just take up one seat, my bag will need one too. I know it's infuriating for some, but I'm just not about to put my heavy work bag on my lap for the next 30 minutes. Plus, I really don't want you to sit next to me. Not only is the bag meant to dissuade you from invading my personal space, but I make sure to avoid eye contact when the doors open and fresh passengers scurry on, so people know I'm not inviting you to sit down. And guess what? I don't have any regrets. While my bag might annoy the finance boys and builders getting the early bus with me, your manspreading drives me up the wall. There has never been a time I've sat next to a strange man and he hasn't immediately squashed me into a corner. And if I can provide some sort of barrier from it, I will. 4 The Selfish Travel Trend Annoying Public Transport Users Everywhere Once I get on that seat and make myself comfortable, you best believe I'm grabbing food out of my bag and eating it. Recently, while rushing to get to a friend's party, I grabbed a delicious, yet messy, sausage roll from Greggs to keep me from passing out in the 30 degrees heat. As always, I was running too late to eat in, so I got a takeaway then pulled it out once I'd got myself the best seat on the Tube (the one next to the clear screen so you don't have to fight for arm rests, if you must know). But as I looked up from taking a large bite I made eye contact with the woman opposite, who rolled her eyes in disgust. At first, I thought it must have been the bite size she was sickened by, but as I looked around the packed carriage I realised everyone was giving me a dirty look - all because I ate a humble sausage roll with them nearby. I could sense the anger, the twitching eyes and the sniffs of disdain, but I didn't stop, it's my train too. I agree it's not the easiest food to chomp down without making a mess but I'd already committed to it. When I got up for my station, I let the flaky pastry crumbs fall beside me like a bride walking through confetti (although my wedding guests weren't as happy.) I'm sure you'll be shocked to know it's not the only etiquette rule I like to break on public transport either. While I'm not quite vulgar enough to listen to my phone aloud, I have on more than one occasion been told to turn my volume down - even with headphones on. Listening to your phone aloud, also known as bare beating, is so annoying to London commuters that 34% support fines for doing it on transport, according to a YouGov poll. The thing is, I'm sure the people moaning are just jealous I'm able to tune out the screaming children. While you're listening to them whine and shout, I've got Taylor Swift blasting in my ears. And I'm also not about queuing to get on, whether its the Tube or the bus. I have taken the time over many years to know exactly where the doors open and hold my spot accordingly, you should have done the same. So yes, you can call me selfish, you can call me rude, and you can title me the worst commuter, but I still won't change.
