Professional Builder

Electric Vehicles (EVs for short) are increasingly being found on our roads. But are they right for people in the trades? Ed and Luke from Professional Builder discuss the pros and cons of EV vehicles and Luke chats to Chris from Bosch about their new range of accessories. This episode is sponsored by Bosch Professional Accessories | Bosch Professional

In the latest edition of the Professional Builder Podcast we talk to the Chief Executive of the Federation of Master Builders, Brian Berry about the trade association’s ‘licence to build’ campaign. Licence to Build | FMB, Federation of Master Builders In our sponsored content we explore the Bosch range of VDE hand tools and its electrical testers.  VDE hand tools:  Insulated hand tools H...

The Construction Fixings Association (CFA) was set up in 1979 to encourage and promote best practice for fixings in the construction industry.  For the latest episode of the Professional Builder Podcast, we sat down with Chris Middleton, General Manager of the CFA, who has over 30 years of experience running fixings and fastening companies, to find out why best practice is important and commo...

The Super Trowel 2025 bricklaying competition is bigger than ever this year with regional heats around the country before a final on August 13th & 14th at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire. This month’s Professional Builder podcast is from the Southern Regional where we speak to Super Trowel founder, Ashley Francis and his fellow directors, Jack Dawson, and Joe Short, along with compet...

We report from the 2025 Trades United Van Rally. Hundreds of tradespeople gathered in their vehicles to travel in convoy to Parliament Square to protest about a lack of action to combat tool theft. We hear from the attendees about some of their shocking experience of being victims of crime, and what they want government and the authorities to do. In our sponsored content, we talk to Chris Murray,...

In this month’s episode of the Professional Builder Podcast, we’re continuing our series on energy efficiency and the Future Homes Standard. This time we’re talking to Dr. Richard Jack, Technical Director at Build Test Solutions. Listen on to find out how measured energy performance can help tradespeople improve the UK’s housing stock and save big on homeowner energy bills.

As an important part of British construction and British culture in general, it seems odd that there’s not really been much in the way of events celebrating bricklaying. It’s a trade that requires a lot of skill (and a very long time) to master. Three bricklayers that clearly thought the same are Ashley Francis, Joe Short and Jack Dawson, the founders of Super Trowel.  Now in its second year,...

In this instalment of the Professional Builder podcast we talk to Band of Builders CEO, Gavin Crane about the vital financial, practical and wellbeing support that the charity is providing to the UK construction industry. Band of Builders | National Charity for Tradespeople – Band of Builders Ltd In our sponsored content, Sian Holland, Key Account Manager at Bosch Professional Accessories provides...

In the latest episode of the Professional Builder podcast we report from the Trades United van rally in Parliament Square and talk to some of its organisers and participants. With tool theft reaching what has been described as epidemic proportions, a group of tradespeople recently decided to take a stand. The van rally saw builders, plumbers and electricians from across the country come together t...

In this month’s edition of the Professional Builder podcast we talk to two commendable organisations who are each championing the wellbeing of construction workers. Falls from height remains the biggest cause of fatalities in construction. The Ladder Association’s avowed ambition is for everyone who climbs a ladder to come back down safely and represents an inval...

Energy efficiency is one of the hottest topics in the UK construction industry. The cost-of-living crisis, high energy prices, the upcoming Future Homes Standard and government Net Zero aspirations are all contributing. In the last episode we spoke to Professor Will Swan, Director of Energy House Laboratories at the University of Salford about the Energy House 2.0 project. This initiativ...

Energy efficiency is one of the hottest topics in the UK Construction Industry at the moment. The cost-of-living crisis, high energy prices, upcoming Future Homes Standard and government Net Zero aspirations are all contributing to this.  Professional Builder’s Edward Kelly interviews Professor Will Swan, Director of Energy House Laboratories at the University of Salford. This department is r...

The Federation of Master Builders is the construction sector’s largest trade association and is run by its members for its members. Its strategic direction is, however, determined by the Board of Directors, the chair of which is the National President. Elected for a period of two years the current incumbent is Chris Carr. In post since November of last year, we asked the MD and founder of Cleethor...

It’s estimated that just 5-6% of tradespeople in the UK are women. When gardeners and landscapers are removed from the equation, this figure could be as low as 2%. While this figure is on the rise, the UK Construction Industry is still in the midst of a skills shortage, with an ageing workforce and a demand for tradespeople far outweighing supply. With all of that in mind, Professional Builder’s E...

There has been concerns raised amongst builders’ merchants – and the SME tradespeople who are their customers – that the recent Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expansion will make Greater London a significantly more difficult area in which to operate. As a result of the zone’s boundary changes there is a £12.50 daily charge on non-compliant vehicles across all London boroughs. This means that anyon...

The heat pump is a renewable energy technology that has long been identified as having real potential in decarbonising our housing stock. At the same time – with the right skillset – installers can capitalise on an increased public appetite with what is set to become a growing and lucrative business opportunity. We talk to Grant UK Technical Design Manager, Stuart McWhinnie about what the air sour...

Tool theft and vehicle crime is on the rise and, if a builder falls victim to unscrupulous thieves, the impact can be devastating. Van Watch is a worthy initiative that has ambitions to reduce the number of offences perpetrated against hard working tradespeople. This industry coalition is supported by some of the sector’s biggest names, and is offering practical help and advice, as well as lobbyin...

The Independent Builders Merchant Group ( IBMG ) prides itself on being close to its customers and that makes the business uniquely placed to identify the challenges that tradespeople face. In this episode of Professional Builder’s podcast we talk to IBMG CEO, Martin Stables about current trends in the repair, maintenance and improvement sector and what local builders are doing to maintain a healt...

Many tradespeople may well be thinking of taking on an apprentice – or would like to. There is, however, a perception that the process is time consuming and complicated, especially for a small business owner. We speak to Ruth Scarrott, NFRC Head of Careers, who offers some useful help and advice on taking on and retaining apprentices. If you’re an employer that’s looking for further support, the f...

An average of two construction workers are taking their own lives every day and 20% of recorded absences in the sector are due to stress, anxiety & depression. In this episode of The Professional Builder Podcast, host Lee Jones talks to Bill Hill, Chief Executive of the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity , to discuss mental health issues. Bill talks through some of the reasons the mental...

How are your knees? Whilst we routinely safeguard our heads with hard hats and our lungs with masks far too many builders are risking crippling injuries by kneeling on hard and uneven surfaces without protection. In this episode we go knee-deep into this vital health & safety issue. We hear from GP Alice Fitzgibbon about how builders can avoid bursitis and osteoarthritis. You can also get some...

Heritage plastering is a creative craft, and it’s spreading into the mainstream. This episode, host Lee Jones heads to South Derbyshire to meet a master of this traditional art, the highly skilled Philip Gaches. Philip – who’s been undertaking and teaching decorative plastering for 44 years – discusses the relevance and benefits of lime plastering in 2023. Philip tells us its creative and financia...