Fast Frame Systems

Loan to Values Appear to be Easing

Latest CML (Council of Mortgage Lenders) figures suggest an apparent  easing in loan-to-value ratios could be good news for developers and builders of first time buyer homes.  Continue Reading

‘Pride in the Job’ winners announced

7th January 2011 saw four site managers fated as the latest Winners of the NHBC’s Pride in the Job Awards. Continue Reading

A Mixed Year Forecast

As Government cuts begin to bite and private sector confidence returns, construction Prospects for 2011 look rather mixed. The sectors forecast to grow are:

- Office and industrial construction. This is expected to turnaround as commercial property recovers.
- Private housing seems set for a modest recovery, but may be imporved by Government encouragement for Self Builders.
- Civil engineering seems set to remain firm, particularly for the rail and energy sectors.
- Retail growth is forecast to be driven by continued expansion by supermarkets. Continue Reading

Good News for House Builders

Published over Christmas, the Halifax’s annual First Time Buyer Review shows:

• Monthly mortgage costs as a proportion of income at below long term average;
• 40% of LA areas are affordable for FTBs, a 7x increase on 2007;
• 95% of FTB's (First Time Buyers) donlt now pay stamp duty. Continue Reading
  
  

The House Price Index

According to Nationwide’s latest house price index,

• House prices rose by a modest 0.4% in December 201;
• House prices were essentially unchanged for the full year 2010

According to Martin Gahbauer,  Nationwide's Chief Economist, the seasonally adjusted month-on-month price for a typical UK property rose by 0.4% in December. Continue Reading

If you run or manage a building business, then you probably want to do it profitably.  But the last month or so have probably turned a lot of your efforts from profit to loss, or at least they will have cost you much more than you probably programmed for.  Maybe there is a 'better way'. Continue Reading