From code to concept
Ahead of the launch of its Code level five scheme Virido, Hill has invited a family to live in its concept house for a year. Suzie Mayes meets the Rayners to discover their first impressions, and finds out more from the housebuilder
Election manifestos - take with a pinch of salt
Stephen Byfield, managing director of communications consultancy PPS Group, previews a fascinating general election and suggests looking past the party manifestos for clues to true policy
What's in store for 2015?
As we enter a new - and important - year, Housebuilder canvasses the views of the industry on what challenges to expect in 2015. Here, Suzie Mayes gives an overview of the issues as highlighted by our experts
Site seers
NHBC has named the regional winners of its prestigious Pride in the Job Awards, setting the shortlist for the gala final in January. Housebuilder looks at why the Awards matter and who is in the running for the top prizes
The bottom line
In response to growing concerns over basement construction, NHBC is launching a new Chapter of standards - Waterproofing of basements and other below ground structures. NHBC's head of housebuilding standards Mark Jones gives an overview
To bribe or to slap
Stephen Byfield, managing director of communications consultancy PPS, says that on housing policy politicians like to slap or bribe - but still find some areas too politically toxic to touch
The UK residential market in 2015 - triumph or disaster?
Matt Fleming, co-founder and chairman of Aylesworth Fleming, the UK's biggest residential specialist advertising agency, shares with Housebuilder his annual - and somewhat brave - venture into forecasting next year's housing market
On the march
This month Persimmon launched its incentive to recruit hundreds of ex-servicemen into its business to address the skills shortage. Suzie Mayes talks to group ceo Jeff Fairburn about the programme and the company's other measures to increase housebuilding
Improving sustainability with the Internet of Things
Electrolux's national contracts manager, Mark Armstrong, looks at the issues surrounding appliances and sustainability and describes how his firm is collaborating with others to improve the energy efficiency of its products
Academic excellence
In 2013 NHBC re-opened the doors of its Operations Academy to new recruits for the first time since the economic crisis of 2007. Academy manager Neil Herries explains the robust, six month learning programme that trainees must undertake in order to become qualified building inspectors
