Prior to the UK?s house building boom the construction industry, including plant hire services like Lagan Plant, was suffering through a recession-induced lag. This downturn seemed to hit the construction sector harder than it hit the manufacturing or service industries and put the sector into a deep hole in which to dig out. During the recession the construction industry saw large projects put on hold or outright cancelled due to a lack of funds from backers or clients. The recession also caused job losses throughout the construction industry which in turn hurt the economy even more. This whole situation caused the construction industry to suffer from a decline in the years of 2009 and 2010. Throughout those two years the construction industry flirted with utter disaster as more projects were cancelled due to lack of funds and more people ended up in the unemployment line. Without any recovery expected until 2011 (according to the then-forecasts) the industry had to do all it could to tread water and wait for the recession to pass.

Post-recession Facts and Figures

The Construction News published various facts and figures throughout this downturn in the industry. According to these figures, employment throughout the construction industry began declining in 2008 by a rate of one percent over the year. The forecast for 2009 and 2010 had the industry bracing for a 15 percent drop in construction employment (the biggest coming in 2009). This caused the industry to try and create a better flow of apprentices and graduates with construction skills in order to sustain the industry. The problem then developed into a greater one as companies realised they couldn?t afford to hire apprentices or recent graduates due to budget cuts in a poor economy.

As the recession lagged on throughout 2009 and 2010 the construction industry did all it could to keep its head above water. This meant not hiring new employees and working on whatever projects they could come by with skeleton crews. Luckily for the industry the UK began to experience a house building boom as demand for new homes increased at the end of the recession.

Indeed, things were so bad that the government?s hand was forced into doing something. Enter the Help to Buy scheme: government-backed loans for homebuyers. This turned out to be a seminal moment for the industry. A pivot. Good news among the sea of red ink. Finally, after years of folded companies, layoffs and cancellations, things began to move again.

From home builders in the Midlands and commercial developers in London, to plant hire companies like Lagan Plant, things began to boom again.

The House Building Boom

In 2013 the industry closed the year on a high with an output over six percent higher than that of 2012. The industry reports that this surge had a lot to do with the greatest increase of new builds since 2008, before the recession began. Since the construction lag in 2009, new construction projects are up 89 percent. While this is a great improvement the numbers are still 40 percent below where they were during the 2007 peak which shows the construction industry and economists that the sector has a long way to go before it reaches its previous peak.

With these new builds and a rise in construction projects in general the sector has also reported a steady growth in employment. In order to keep up with the high demand of new homes as well as commercial projects, construction companies are hiring workers at an accelerated rate in order to meet project deadlines. This rise in employment is helping the UK?s economy recover steadily.

The question being asked now is how long this boom will last, and whether the construction industry could endure another bust so soon after then last one. The jury is out on that.

1. Neglecting online marketing entirely

It is 2014 and everyone is on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest or Twitter. Potential customers are all using search engines -- increasingly on mobile devices -- to shop for products and services. Yet, there are still contractors out there trying to get business exclusively from Yellow Pages, canvassing and local printed ads ? like it is 1980! That can be good enough if you work only a few projects per year, if you wish to remain small and book only enough jobs to support your current lifestyle ? otherwise, it can be the death of your business.

2. Not having your own custom website

A well-performing, lead-generating, revenue-boosting website is one of the company?s most valuable marketing assets in any industry ? including home improvement.

Building a good a website, however, is a labor intensive and time consuming endeavor ? and contractors are already busy managing their companies. Web design, SEO and PPC agencies tend to charge top dollar for their services upfront and offer no performance guarantees.

That?s why contractors can be easily enticed into purchasing a listing with premium placement or an advertising package from a third party website and let them take care of web marketing. They bring the customer to their site, or to your listing, and you get the leads. What's not to like?

The problem is that when your entire online presence is through third party websit's you are missing the opportunity to build your own brand and reputation. Your money goes toward promoting their business, not yours. You are also missing the opportunity to build trust and credibility ? the keys to closing sales ? before meeting with the customer for the first time. Not to mention the absolute lack of control on how your business is portrayed on the web.

Well maintained, updated, correct and verified local listings are your company?s next biggest online asset, second only to your website. Make sure you have at least one good, verified listing in each major local listing site: Google Places, Yahoo Business and Bing Local. These listings not only rank in local searches and map searches, but they help you build credibility with reviews. Google Places ? recently turned into Google My Business -- offers a social platform to communicate with your prospects and share updates. In addition, having good verified listings in other business listing services also helps consolidate listing consistency in the main search engines --- and some of these listings often rank along with the website when people search for the name of the company.

No matter how trustworthy or professional you are, at some point, you are bound to run into a detractor. It might be one of those impossible to please customers, it might be a disgruntled ex-employee, a dirty competitor, and it might even be a good customer with a legitimate complaint ? after all no one is perfect.

These days, the typical detractor will not call you or file a complaint with the local BBB. They will go straight to the internet and, sometimes without warning, unleash a full blown PR crisis, which damages your reputation and in some cases costs you your business. It is very important to closely monitor the web for reviews, respond to each one in a proper and timely manner -- and it's even more crucial to be proactive and build a great online reputation. Having your happy customers on your side can help minimize or eliminate the impact of a bad review.

5. Not being social

If we ask around, perhaps nine out of every ten contractors see no value whatsoever in social media for their business. For most, social media marketing is time-consuming, mind-boggling and offers little to no return for the time and effort invested. To their credit, that is some truth to that. When your social media efforts are either concentrated on the wrong platforms, spread out too thin through many platforms, or if you Don't have clear goals for your social marketing you won't be able to plan an effective strategy, track results or see any improvement.

Even if you Don't see revenue potential in Social Media Marketing, there is still value in being social. It is important to establish your business at least in some of the most popular platforms to be able to monitor conversation and provide your customers and prospects with a way to communicate with the company -- and since you have social media profiles for one purpose, why not make the best possible use of them as a marketing tool to educate your audiences about your business? Here's an article on how to get more referrals using social media.

6. Relinquishing control of online properties to untrained employees and interns or outsourcing it to untrusted services and professionals

This is one of the most damaging online marketing mistakes a contractor can make. Because they Don't see the value of having an online presence, they are often inclined to either outsource this type of work or allow employees and interns to establish and control their entire online presence though social profiles, business listings, and even blogs ? with little to no supervision, and absolutely no training or policy in place.

In my work I deal often with the damaging results of such practices: from listings and social profiles nobody can access or claim because a former employee, marketing service or virtual assistant retained control, to gross mishandling of social media conversations. Never relinquish control of your online properties unless you trust the person to be professionally trained to handle these assets -- and hand them over to you if the business relationship is terminated. I usually recommend retaining ownership or at least sharing administrative privileges ? even if you are not going to be involved with monitoring and maintaining these properties.

7. Not tracking leads by source

When you have a website and are spending money in Internet Marketing ? especially if you are using a combination of outlets and campaigns ? it is extremely important for contractors to track leads and know exactly where they are coming from for two reasons:

8. Not having a good lead intake system in place

This is another very common mistake. Contractors have all their marketing in place, with a good website and a good amount of leads coming in and yet, they can?t seem to convert many of them into actual appointments.

The first impulse is to credit conversion problem to bad lead quality. While some lead generation services do provide (and charge for) bad leads and sometimes sell the same lead to your competitors, there are many instances in which the lead is perfectly qualified but the lead intake system is flawed.

That means that your answering service, call center or the person that is in charge of taking the leads and setting them to appointments is missing opportunities due to lack of proper training. First impressions are everything in business and you only get one shot. How are you answering that phone call?

Just as it is very important to qualify leads through online forms, it is important to qualify leads that come through the phone by asking the right questions, having the right answers, and most importantly, the right attitude! Improving your lead intake system with training, call recording, and call auditing can help you set more appointments and lower lead generation costs.

If you're like the majority of Americans over the age of 45, you want to continue living in a familiar environment throughout your maturing years. According to AARP, many older homeowners would prefer to age-in-place, which means to live in their home safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age or physical ability level. But is your current home set up to accommodate your possible needs as you age?

We would like to offer some questions and answers regarding the aging-in-place lifestyle to increase your understanding of the possibilities for age-in-place remodeling. We have also included a checklist for aging-in-place and universal design improvements.

Q&A about Aging-In-Place

How should my home be modified to make it more safe and comfortable?

If your goal is to age-in-place, you will probably need to modify your home as you mature to increase access and safety. Modifications may range from the installation of bathroom grab bars and adjusting countertop heights to the creation of first-floor bedrooms and the installation of private elevators or stair chairs.

Who can I rely on to modify my home?
MDV Remodeling has 50 years of construction and experience in age-in-place the strategies and techniques for designing and building aesthetically-pleasing, barrier-free living environments.

MDV has a commitment to:

• The unique needs of the older adult population
• Aging-in-place home modifications
• Common remodeling projects
• Solutions to common barriers

Keep in mind that when you hire a remodeling professional, you are engaging a service rather than buying a product. Each professional draws from a different knowledge base and will approach your project in a different way. No matter where you start in the process, you will eventually need to hire a professional remodeler to actually make the modifications to your home.

Questions to Ask Yourself

• What improvements does my home need?
• Do I want to add a bathroom and possibly a bedroom to the first floor?
• How can I make my kitchen more functional?
• Do I need modifications to prevent falls?
• What is my budget for this project?
• Will I be able to get a home equity loan to pay for the project?
• Will other members of my family benefit from modifications?
• Will remodeling increase the energy efficiency of my home?

Checklist

• Prepare a flexible, comprehensive budget for your home modification project. A free estimate from MDV can help you to determine costs at each of a few different levels of aging-in-place modifications.
• Seek information, including referrals for contractors and financing, from friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and others who have had similar work done.
• Search the Directory of Professional Remodelers to locate a remodeler like MDV Remodeling in your community. Or contact your local home builders association or remodelers? council and ask about companies with experience with age-in-place remodeling.
• Check with your local or state office of consumer protection and the local Better Business Bureau before hiring any contractor or signing any contracts.
• Verify that the remodeler you engage has the appropriate license(s) in your state.
• Ask all contractor candidates for a written estimate of the work to be done based on a set of plans and specifications. Be prepared to pay for whichever proposal you accept per the payment schedule included therein.
• Select a professional remodeler with extensive experience in age-in-place remodeling, like MDV Remodeling. Remember, lowest price does not ensure a successful remodeling project.

If you are seriously considering aging-in-place in your current home, give us a call or click here for a free estimate.

Elastomeric Paints ? Features and Applications

Over the decades, the painting industry has grown and developed with radical changes in paints available. Decades ago, options were limited for painters. There was typically only one application method and this method had to be used regardless of the limitations and side effects. But, with improved formulas and application methods, coatings are no longer limited to these shortcomings. The options for industrial paint have grown with their industrial application. Paint for protective coating against corrosion and rust have become prevalent in past decades. As the painting industry developed, new paint formulas were developed to overcome problems present in building materials and improve features. One of the most frequently used types of paint developed recently was elastomeric paints.

Building materials have a tendency to expand and contract with variations in temperature and other environmental factors. In these conditions, cracks develop in the walls of structures, both in the interior and exterior side. If these cracks are not treated within time, the paint application can fail, and can allow water to seep through, leading to leakages and possible structural damage. This problem is addressed with the application of elastomeric paints. These paints are coatings applied on the walls to keep the surface from cracking when it dries. So, when a surface expands and contracts due to temperature changes, the elastomeric paint expands and contracts without leaving a seam. Elastomeric paints have a higher volume than conventional paints and are applied as a thick layer on the surface. It is a kind of rubberized latex that forms a thick protective layer over anything that it covers. As a type of commercial paint, the features of elastomeric paints can be listed as ?

• Elastomeric paints have excellent waterproofing properties; hence they make a great option for water sealer.
• As the polymers expand and contract with temperature, elastomeric paints are a good protective covering layer for surfaces that experience extreme change in temperature.
• Elastomeric paints are highly recommended for their durability. They are more durable than conventional coatings.
• Already in use by roofing professionals, this paint is also being used for moist foundations, and any other substrates prone to contracting.
• These paints are also well-suited for use in masonry wall surfaces as well as poured-in-place or tilt-up concrete as they can tolerate minor movement of substrates.

Due to their benefits, elastomeric paints are becoming more popular for industrial functions. They are a preferred option for filling hairline cracks and can also be used to bridge moving hairline cracks. And despite all of their coating features, they can still be applied with a sprayer. But as it is with all paints, the surface must be dry and clean for optimum adhesion.

Recommended Elastomeric Paint Products
Jaxsan Coatings
Fox 501

So you've decided to finish the basement in your home, but you Don't know exactly what you want to do once the space is finished? You would be surprised how frequently this happens! The only limitations are your imagination, budget, and/or the physical constraints of your home, and the experts at MDV Remodeling want to offer some suggestions to get you started. So, following is a list of general basement ideas, as well as some overall design concepts to think about. This is not by any means an exhaustive list, but it's a good start to get you ?thinking outside the box? about where you want to go with your basement remodel.

The first step is to think about how this extra room can best serve your home. Making the most out of this space requires that you identify what you want from it. Some ideas that relate to a basement?s purpose and function include:|

• Family room
• Children?s playroom
• Additional bedrooms/In-law suite
• Home office
• Man Cave
• Basement bar
• Media center or home theater
• Music or art studio
• Home gym
• Craft room or hobby workshop
• Organized storage area(s)

When thinking about what role you want your basement to play, consider how it may need to change as your lifestyle or your family changes. A basement that starts as a family room may need to evolve into additional bedrooms later on for a growing family or to accommodate aging parents/relatives. These are the types of consideration that make our TruYouDesign? process so unique!

General Design Ideas

Below are some general ideas for designing the space that you're finishing. Some of these ideas will work for almost any space, but some are more appropriate than others depending on your family?s needs.

• Do Something Different Than Upstairs

Basements give you another living-space opportunity; this is a place that will be in addition to the upstairs living spaces. Thinking about how you can make this space unique and different rather than just another family room that?s not much different than the one upstairs, will go a long way toward making your home more versatile and enjoyable.

• Design For A Walk-Out

This concept is primarily for newly-built homes where you have an option for choosing the style and site location. A walk-out basement gives you a much more open and light-filled space and helps to eliminate the cave-like feel associated with below-grade basements.

• Don't Forget Your Storage Needs

Unfinished basements usually end up as good storage areas for all the stuff we accumulate, and this stuff has to go somewhere when you plan and begin remodeling your basement. You may need to parcel off some of this area?s footprint as a storage area ? possibly in an adjacent unfinished area ? as opposed to using all of it as finished space.

Other ideas include getting creative with space utilization, such as building shelving or small closets under the stairwell or adding a 3-foot high bump-out along the walls to house shelves that you can enclose behind small doors. In addition, you could use stock or custom-built cabinetry, as well as bench seats and storage chests to increase the efficient use of this space.

• Use Folding Bookcase Doors As Functional Portals

Maximize the space by using a bookcase door for entry into places like your laundry or unfinished storage room. These kinds of doors are either bi-fold or hinged functional bookcases. They do double duty as bookshelves and a door covering the entryway to another space.

• Open Up The Stairway

Many basements are accessed by a narrow, completely-walled stairway that makes it look like you're heading to a cave. Opening up the stairwell, if at all possible, invit's that room to be part of the rest of the house. Talk with your contractor to see if part of the wall that borders the stairwell can be removed. A knee wall can help achieve this effect too. Whatever you can do to open up the stairs and avoid the ?tunnel effect? will make the basement feel that much more inviting.

• Equip For Audio & Video

there's no better time to equip your basement for audio and video equipment than when you're remodeling. Do you have a large flat-screen television in mind or perhaps a surround-sound audio system? Plan ahead for where you want this equipment to go and install the necessary wiring while you'renovate. Even if that dream TV doesn?t come right away, get the cables in while you'remodel so that They are in place and ready for hookup in the future.

These are just some ideas you, as a homeowner, can use to start planning your finished basement. There is a wealth of possibilities open to you to create the perfect use of additional space in your home. If you're considering finishing just a portion of or the whole basement of your home, be sure to contact the experienced professionals at MDV Remodeling for a free estimate!

*image credit: Kyle Murphy/Flickr