When new homes are built, it is important that they are fitted with suitable drainage systems. Indeed, the flooding seen across many parts of the south of England and Wales this winter has drawn attention to the significance of this issue.
Organisations that fail to pay sufficient heed to the crucial nature of drainage when constructing buildings may quickly come to regret it.
Government figures
Demand for drainage solutions could be high in the residential building sector at present. After all, new figures produced by the government suggest that the construction of new homes in on the rise in Britain.
The latest statistics reveal that starts on new homes totalled 122,590 last year. This represented a rise of 23 per cent compared with 2012 and it was the highest level since 2007. Meanwhile, despite the poor weather conditions, work on new properties in the last three months of 2013 was also up by nearly a quarter compared with the same period a year earlier.
Ensuring progress is made
Commenting on the figures, communities secretary Eric Pickles said the government is prioritising limited financial resources and ensuring that progress continues to be made across the entire housing sector.
He noted that since 2011, nearly 58,000 households have been helped onto the property market, with more than 38,000 in new-build properties through the Help to Buy scheme and earlier initiatives.
The politician also pointed out that nearly 100,000 affordable homes have been delivered through the affordable homes programme and a further 70,000 are on track to be delivered by 2015.
Weather has not stopped hardy builders
Mr Pickles went on to state that construction orders are growing at their fastest rate for a decade and this is providing a boost to thousands of small businesses that supply building materials to developers. According to the cabinet member, nearly a million independent companies are involved in the construction sector, accounting for a fifth of all small to medium-sized enterprises.
The politician remarked: “Last year we built the most homes since 2007, and even the appalling weather conditions this winter have not stopped our hardy builders from getting the job done. That means an increase in small firms benefiting from the surge in construction orders, and more business confidence in the economy.”
More facts and figures
The government also noted that house builders are taking on new apprentices, trainees and graduates. Indeed, new research conducted by the Construction Industry Training Board suggests that around 182,000 construction jobs will be created over the next five years.
Meanwhile, offering a insight into new housing starts on a regional basis, the coalition administration revealed an increase in Winchester, Hampshire of over 150 per cent compared with 2012. In Horsham, Surrey, new starts rose by 45 per cent, while in north-west Leicestershire they jumped by 25 per cent.
Sourcing materials
Of course, to complete building projects, companies need access to the relevant building supplies, including drainage systems. Increasingly, firms are heading online to get the resources they need. This method of sourcing items is quick and convenient.
Anna Longdin writes regularly about UK construction. She visits sites including Alumasc Harmer Drainage System to ensure she stays up to date on all the latest industry news and developments.