Many of the bigger construction companies still have a joinery workshop within their overall resources but lots of the medium to more compact companies experienced to close section of their production facilities and out- source joinery and other skills to sub- contractors. This makes sense financially as work is made to order and you can find no overheads, such as for example paying for utilities/wages if you find little work on.
As recovery in the construction industry starts to happen which you can find definite signs of, you will see a demand for specialised products- joinery, metalworking, etc. With no" in house" production available, contractors will be sub contracting even more work than before.
So we have to start looking at ways of production which can only help kick start the regeneration.
One possible idea is buying in component items for minimal assembly but achieving great cost benefits. Doors and windows are both available in kit forms, in a variety of timbers and styles. Maybe even the larger companies will look as of this idea. Lets take windows for example. If you are building a large numbers of similar houses, the chances are that multiples of the same window style and size will undoubtedly be required. Why not have the windows made off site in component form, transported to your business for assembly ( that is easily done because the windows take up much less space and are less inclined to be damaged) and then on to site for fitting and glazing. Assembly is very straightforward and will be completed by semi skilled labour.This will work as long because the company who is given the task of producing your windows is set up to get this done. Research them carefully and seek references before ordering.
An excellent joinery company should be able to tailor a product to fit your requirements. Bespoke Joiners Barrow or traditional, a number of mouldings with respect to the look and various timbers to match all budgets.
Some companies just want the fully assembled and painted window on site with glazing prepared to fix. This will increase the unit cost but saves time on site. Again look at the quality of what is on offer- frame thickness, timber quality, paint finish and ironmongery if it's provided. Visit and speak to the company to gauge if they have the resources and skills to manufacture just what you want.
Doors may also be supplied in component form but generally customers want them fully assembled and quite often pre-hung in a frame with all ironmongery fitted and then removed. Once on site, the door frame just needs fitting in the frame and checking it is plumb, before refitting the entranceway and ironmongery. This saves time and effort on site and usually prevents problems like locks not operating correctly as they have already been pre- tested during initial fitting.
The advantage of fully assembled items is that they can be be pre-finished with paint or lacquer, again saving time on site.
It is not unusual to see "pod" type units being sent to site, especially for bathrooms- where the unit is pre tiled and all items fitted. Once on site the water and drainage connections are made and the unit is practically complete. The speed of creating using these new pre-fabs is incredible. Wall sections including cut outs for doors and windows can be built by hardly any workers in a matter of hours.
I think that with the population due to increase, we are in need of more affordable housing for several and new ways to reduce build time. Maybe its time for a change of attitude.
The government must also take renewable energy such as solar power and invest in the technology. All new houses must have a solar power and these are available these days in "tile look" which means you don't even start to see the unit once its installed. This has to be the way we begin to think.
Hope you agree.
Give me your ideas.
Gordon
Burwood Joinery Ltd is a manufacturing joinery business based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.
They offer a bespoke service creating beautiful and practical timber products ranging from Sash Windows to Hardwood External doors, Hand made conservatories and Orangeries, Ornate staircases, Individual pieces of Furniture, Designer Mouldings and personally commissioned items.
All work is undertaken utilizing the best in materials and modern techniques, coupled with a long time of experience and product development.