Contaminated Land: What to Do If You Hit Something Unexpected
If you find anything unexpected that could be contamination, stop work in that area until it's checked. Buried drums, tanks, pipework or containers.
Read this firstSustainability Regulations Coming: What Builders Need to Prepare For
You don't need to be a sustainability guru, but you do need to know where it's heading so you don't design jobs that are obsolete in 2 years.
Protected Species on Site: Bats, Newts and the Law
Intentionally or recklessly disturbing bats while they are occupying a structure or place of shelter, or obstructing access to a roost, is an offence.
Noise and Dust Complaints: Your Duties and Their Rights
The law is basically saying: yes, building work is noisy and dusty, but you still have to use best practicable means and not wreck the neighbours' lives.
Waste Carrier Licence: Do I Need One and How to Get It
If you move waste as part of your business, this is one of those boring bits that can quietly ruin you if you ignore it.
Duty of Care for Construction Waste: What Happens If You Get It Wrong
You must take all reasonable steps to stop your waste ending up fly-tipped, burned in a field, buried on site, or taken to a non-permitted yard.
Fly-Tipping: What Happens If Your Waste Gets Dumped
That covers one load from a job dumped in a lane, using a mate's unlicensed field as a tip, or allowing someone else to tip on land you control.
Hazardous Waste Regulations: Asbestos, Paint, Chemicals and the Rules
Lead-based paint and contaminated debris from older buildings. Paints, solvents, varnishes, thinners and adhesives that contain harmful or flammable chemicals.
Site Waste Management Plans: Do I Still Need One?
The law changed, but big clients and decent main contractors still expect you to behave like you've got a SWMP, especially on anything sizeable.
Environmental Permits for Construction: When You Need One
On construction sites, you bump into environmental permits mainly when you treat or reuse waste on site (crushing, screening, using waste as fill).
ULEZ, Clean Air Zones and Your Van: What You Need to Know
If not, expect daily charges any time you go into a ULEZ or Clean Air Zone. Fully electric vans are exempt from ULEZ/CAZ emissions charges.
EV Transition for Trade Vans: The Timeline and the Real Costs
Independent research on EVs under load/towing shows range drops by around 23-31%, and cold weather plus heating can chip more off.
Japanese Knotweed on Site: The Rules and the Costs
Must be handled by a registered waste carrier and taken to a licensed facility or managed under strict on-site burial rules.