Many of the larger construction companies still have a joinery workshop within their overall resources but lots of the medium to smaller sized companies have had to close section of their production facilities and out- source joinery along with other skills to sub- contractors. This is practical financially as work is made to order and you can find no overheads, such as paying for utilities/wages if you find little work on.
As recovery in the construction industry starts to occur which there are definite signs of, you will see a demand for specialised products- joinery, metalworking, etc. Without" in house" production available, contractors will undoubtedly be sub contracting a lot more work than before.
So we need 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 as an example. If you are building a large numbers of similar houses, the chances are that multiples of the same window style and size will be required. Why not have the windows made off site in component form, transported to your business for assembly ( this is easily done as the windows take up significantly less space and are less inclined to be damaged) and then on to site for fitting and glazing. Assembly is quite straightforward and will be completed by semi skilled labour.This will work as long as the company who is given the task of producing your windows is established 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. Stormproof style or traditional, many different mouldings with respect to the look and different timbers to suit all budgets.
Some companies just want the fully assembled and painted window on site with glazing ready to fix. This will raise 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 talk to the business to gauge whether they have the resources and skills to manufacture exactly 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 entranceway frame just needs fitting in the frame and checking it really is plumb, before refitting the door and ironmongery. This saves effort and time on site and usually prevents problems like locks not operating correctly because they have already been pre- tested during initial fitting.
The advantage of fully assembled items is 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 in fact the unit is pre tiled and all items fitted. Once on Carpentry Dalton In Furness and drainage connections are made and the machine is practically complete. The speed of building 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 populace due to increase, we need more affordable housing for several and new ways to reduce build time. Maybe its time for a change of attitude.
The government also needs to take renewable energy such as solar power and invest in the technology. All new houses should have a solar power and these are now available in "tile look" therefore you don't even see the unit once its installed. It has to be the way we begin to think.
Hope you agree.
Give me your ideas.
Gordon
Burwood Joinery Ltd is really a manufacturing joinery business located in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.
They provide a bespoke service creating beautiful and practical timber products ranging from Sash Windows to Hardwood External doors, Made by hand conservatories and Orangeries, Ornate staircases, Individual furniture pieces, Designer Mouldings and personally commissioned items.
All work is undertaken using the best in materials and modern techniques, coupled with many years of experience and product development.