NIBuilder 32-1

NIBuilder 32-1

Vol 32 No 1 - 2021

SouthernRegional College OHMGdelivers amaster class for Banbridge campus

MAINCONTRACTOR

ohmg.com

THE OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER FOR - CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYERS FEDERATION

66% spent on-site with minimal waste less time

Take the risk and stress out of your project

OKTO Technologies are certified Master Systems Integrators who can provide End-to-End responsibility for the design, production, installation and maintenance of ELV Systems (extra low voltage) including: BMS, EMS, AV, IT, IAQ, access, security, CCTV and lighting control systems.

OKTO provide you with complete peace of mind: • 5 yr warranty • 5 yr Service Level Agreement • NO scope gaps between disciplines • A single point of contact for all your system requirements We use Modern Methods of Construction to reduce project programme and provide a safer site. Our off-site Mirror Build provides: • Complete system build off-site • 8-Phase testing off-site • 80% Commissioned off-site

M O D E R N M E T H O D S O F C O N S T R U C T I O N

OKTO Technologies, Unit 1 Crescent Business Park, Lisburn, BT28 2GN. T: 028 9266 7030 oktotechnologies.co.uk

NI BUILDER

Inside this issue...

Issue 32-1 - February/March 2021

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34

46

64

71

NI BUILDER IS THE OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER FOR - CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYERS FEDERATION FOR THEIR LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES - SEE PAGES 11-15

News &Views 4 VAT reverse charges

Products 8 Ronseal

In Focus 18 Hinch Distillery

Read the low-down on the new VAT domestic reverse charge for construction that comes into play on March 1

McCorley Mechanical and Electrical deliveries a bespoke installation for brand new Hinch Distillery

New products, improved formulas and an extended colour palette: Ronseal relaunches ultimate range to help ‘do decking right’

20 Southern Regional College, Banbridge

11 CEF The Voice

30 OKTOair

Latest updates from the Construction Employers Federation including findings from the CEF State of Trade Survey

College project gets top marks for contractor/client and sub-contractor co-ordination

OKTO Technologies unveils its newWellness Division, OKTOair, offering a suite of innovative AI solutions.

46 Written in Stone

54 New Chair for CIOB

We chat to self-taught stonemason Emmet McGirr about what inspired him to take up the hammer and chisel and how masonry has changed in recent years

34 Focus on exteriors

Newly appointed Chair of the CIOB Belfast Hub committee, Roger Gillespie, sets out his ambitions for his two-year term of office

NI Builder profiles some of the leading names in the world of Exteriors.

CONTACT US: The Forge, 13b Lisburn Road, Moira, Co. Armagh, BT67 0JR T: Moira: 028 9261 2990 T: Dublin: 01 696 8319 E: [email protected] www.northernbuilder.co.uk

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THE TEAM: Managing Director Karen McAvoy Editor Heather Campbell Sales Manager Karen Jess Production Manager Julie Anne Guiney Digital Creative Manager Jo Wilson Digital Content Editor Cathal Delea Photography Gordon McAvoy Printed by W&G Baird

NI Builder Magazine @nibuilder

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With reference to the Misdescriptions Act, please note that the measurements and artist’s impressions within are for illustrative purposes only and may not be accurate. Reproduction of whole or in part of this publication, without prior permission from Karen McAvoy Publishing Ltd, is strictly prohibited.

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BUSINESS ADVICE

KEIR THOMAS-BRYANT, SAGE’S DEDICATED SMALL BUSINESSES EXPERT, GIVES THE LOW-DOWN ON THE NEW VAT DOMESTIC REVERSE CHARGE FOR CONSTRUCTION…

VAT CHARGE GOES INTO REVERSE

2. What VAT rates does the VAT reverse charge for construction services apply to? It applies to both standard and reduced-rate VAT supplies. It doesn’t apply to zero-rated supplies. 3. Why is the VAT reverse charge for construction services being introduced? HMRC says it will combat fraud, whereby construction businesses charge VAT for the services they supply but then disappear without paying their VAT bill. 4. Who does the VAT reverse charge for construction services apply to? It applies only to VAT-registered businesses who are supplying/ receiving services that are reported under CIS. In other words, it applies to

As of March 1, 2021, those working in the UK’s construction industry might have to handle and pay VAT in a different way following the introduction of the new VAT reverse charge system. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions. 1. What is the VAT domestic reverse charge for construction services? The VAT domestic reverse charge for building and construction services, to give it its full title, is a change in how VAT is handled for certain kinds of construction services in the UK, along with the building and construction materials used directly in those services. In simple terms, for services they provide affected by the reverse charge, sub-contractors will require the contractor employing them to handle and pay the VAT directly to HMRC.

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BUSINESS ADVICE

“For services they provide affectedby the reverse charge, sub-contractorswill require the contractor employing themto handle andpay theVATdirectly toHMRC.”

works forming, or to form, part of the land, including (in particular) walls, roadworks, power lines, electronic communications apparatus, aircraft runways, docks and harbours, railways, inland waterways, pipelines, reservoirs, water mains, wells, sewers, industrial plant and installations for purposes of land drainage, coast protection or defence • Installation in any building or structure of systems of heating, lighting, air conditioning, ventilation, power supply, drainage, sanitation, water supply or fire protection • Internal cleaning of buildings and structures, so far as carried out in the course of their construction, alteration, repair, extension or restoration • Painting or decorating the internal or external surfaces of any building or structure Remember that the reverse charge applies to the services listed above plus any construction materials used directly for those services. This is different to the CIS scheme, which does not cover materials. 6. I’m a sub-contractor. What does the VAT reverse charge for construction services mean for my business? In theory, it means very little because when you issue your VAT invoice you will merely be passing on the VAT charge that you would have had to account for in any event. You will, however, need to expect a change to the way you reconcile customer’s payments against invoices issued, as any VAT registered customers will be withholding the VAT element for

any CIS related supplies. You’ll need a different kind of invoice. It might also affect your cash flow because the VAT you previously held before passing it monthly/quarterly to HMRC as a payment will no longer be available for any uses you might have put it to. 7. I’m a contractor. What does the VAT reverse charge for construction services mean for my business? If you’re a contractor (i.e. purchase CIS regulated construction services) then, in theory, it means you need to ensure that when you receive reverse charge VAT invoices you correctly account for them. You’ll need to pay any VAT due directly to HMRC as part of your normal VAT settlement process instead of paying the VAT on CIS related supplies to your supplier. This may require an update to your accounting software if you do not use cloud software. You may gain a cash flow benefit because the VAT you previously had to pay when paying sub-contractors, but could not reclaim until your next VAT return, is simply netted off in your VAT return. There should be no net impact on your overall VAT bill. You will need to complete your VAT Return differently.

services supplied between the majority of construction sub-contractors and contractors in the UK. 5. What construction services does the VAT reverse charge apply to? According to HMRC, the reverse charge applies to the following: • Construction, alteration, repair, extension, demolition or dismantling of buildings or structures (whether permanent or not), including offshore installations

• Construction, alteration, repair, extension or demolition of any

“If you’re a contractor (i.e. purchaseCIS regulated construction services) then, in theory, it means you need to ensure that when you receive

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is an abridged version of a blog post kindly supplied to us from Sage Advice. To read in full, visit: http://1sa.ge/34fm50DDsW3

reverse chargeVAT invoices you correctly account for them.”

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NEWS

RADIUSGROW DEVELOPMENT

Leading housing developer Radius Housing has appointed two RICS chartered surveyors to their development team as part of their drive to build more social and affordable homes across Northern Ireland and help stimulate the economy as we begin the Covid-19 recovery. The new appointments, Charlotte Sythes and Andrew Lennon, will join the company’s development directorate, and bring a wealth of professional experience from projects across the UK. Speaking about the new appointments, Anita Conway, Director of Development at Radius Housing said, “We are delighted that Charlotte and Andrew are joining our dedicated team at Radius, as we expand to meet our ambitious targets for construction of new social and affordable homes. The professional experience they both bring will complement and enhance the diverse skill set of our team, and will help us as we look towards new development opportunities and aim to ensure even more high quality housing is delivered across Northern Ireland. www.radiushousing.org TEAMTOBUILDON HOUSINGAMBITION

Ray Hutchinson, Managing Director of Gilbert-Ash, at Merchant Square

GILBERT-ASHSTARTSFITOUTFOR LANDMARKMERCHANTSQUARE

Gilbert-Ash has begun work on a ground-breaking office project which will accommodate up to 3,000 employees at the former Oyster and Royston buildings, in the heart of Belfast’s business district and adjacent to the City Hall. The award-winning company was appointed as fit-out contractor at Merchant Square, which will see the creation of 200,000 sq ft of Grade A office space over nine floors, exclusively let by PwC. The office space is set to be one of the most advanced digital spaces in the city. Gilbert-Ash Managing Director Ray

Hutchinson said the company is delighted to be working on one of the most prestigious projects to be undertaken in Belfast in recent years. He said, “It is always great to be working on a landmark building in our home city of Belfast, but this is extra special as Merchant Square really will be a leader on the international stage. We have been working with excellent local partners to bring this stand out fit-out project to life, with advanced logistical planning and management during what has been a challenging year for many industries, including construction.”

WHENARTIFICIAL ISTHENATURALCHOICE

Belfast-based Laydex

inflatable swimming pools and goal posts has played havoc with the condition of natural lawns.

are a leading supplier of artificial grasses in Northern Ireland supplying high quality lawns made from the finest fibres available in a range of sizes and thicknesses. Artificial grass, also known as astroturf, or synthetic grass is ideal for today’s environment and busy lifestyles. Requiring little weeding or maintenance they

Which is why Laydex’ child-friendly artificial

grass ranges are becoming more popular. With a life expectancy of 15 years and UV colour stabilised to prevent discolour or fade in natural sunlight, artificial is the natural choice to get that pristine lawn look all year round. Artificial lawns also work

Before

Charlotte Sythes, Development Manager, Radius Housing

After

have become a viable solution thanks to our adverse weather conditions. Throughout lockdown, the family garden has been a safe play haven for children. However, the presence of trampolines, adventure climbing frames, swings,

well in areas that are limited in space or difficult to access such as roof areas, terraces, balconies and city gardens and have many other commercial applications. To find out more, call: +44 (0)28 9038 2223 or email: [email protected]

Andrew Len- non, Develop- ment Officer, Radius Housing

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PRODUCT NEWS

NEW PRODUCTS, IMPROVED FORMULAS AND AN EXTENDED COLOUR PALETTE: RONSEAL RELAUNCHES ULTIMATE RANGE TO HELP ‘DO DECKING RIGHT’...

Ronseal does it right withUltimate Decking relaunch

They’ve been at the forefront of decking care for decades, and now Ronseal is offering its most extensive range yet to help customers ‘do decking right’ in 2021 and beyond. The DIY giant has just announced the relaunch of the Ultimate Decking range - including amazing colour choices, improved formulas and brand new products. Available throughout Ireland, it includes everything customers and tradesmen need to keep decking looking great and protected from the elements. Ronseal’s new Ultimate Protection Decking Paint offers brilliant performance and coverage, so can be used on new and old decks. Available in 13 colours, including new Sage, Willow and Blackcurrant shades, it’s a workhorse for anyone looking to make outdoor space ‘summer ready’. The strengthened formulation can be used on old and new wood and after two coats, will lock down splinters and fill cracks. The launch is supported by How To Guides. Including hints, tips and step-by-step videos, they make application easier than ever. Jane Ryder, Ronseal’s European Marketing Director said, “We have a proud history of providing the best specialist decking products - developing a range that helps householders show their outdoor spaces the love they deserve. “We’re delighted to be extending the range to include even better performing products and great colours.”

Ronseal Ultimate Protection Decking Paint in charcoal

Ronseal Decking Rescue Paint in Warm Stone

Ronseal Ultimate Protection Deck- ing Oil in Natural Oak

Ronseal launches Direct toMetal Paint

Finding products that are easy to use and offer long-lasting protection against rust and the elements can be a challenge but Ronseal’s new Direct to Metal Paint does just that. Water-based and easy to use - even without primer - it can be applied to a massive range of surfaces, including those affected by rust.Ronseal is expanding its popular Performance Paint range to launch the Direct to Metal Paint this Spring. Offering 15 years of protection, it can be used directly on aluminium, cast iron, galvanised/stainless steel, bare metal, wood and PVC. Customers in ROI may have used the product before, when it was sold as the popular Triflow Total Metal care. Now its improved formulation sees it join the Ronseal family, alongside the Performance Paint range. The versatile colour palette includes gloss, satin and matt finishes. Touch-dry/showerproof in 30 minutes, it’s low-odour, water-based and has a re-coat time of 2 - 4 hours. Sold in 250ml, 750ml and 2.5L, it’s perfect for any job.

Direct to Metal Paint – perfect for outdoor metal furniture.

For more details contact your local TSM or [email protected]

NEWS

Research from Northern Ireland’s largest insurance comparison website shows jobs in the trade industry have increased throughout the pandemic by 63%, with the top two revealed as joiner / carpenter and builder. The >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76

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