Best practice guides

Ensuring the foundations to a new home are sturdy enough to transmit the loading safely to the ground is essential to the long- term durability of the home. Section 1 examines the three main aspects of this work.

This section covers the part of the home that connects the structure above ground to the foundations. Including walls, services, drains and the main ground floor - and all associated protection needed to prevent damp rising.

This section covers all aspects of the superstructure build above ground. Structure, brickwork, blockwork, timber frame, weatherproofing and aesthetic finish are all considered here.

This section covers the structural build of the roof and its ability to keep out the weather. In terraced properties, we also need to see evidence of appropriate measures taken to prevent the transmission of fire between dwellings.

This section covers those construction processes which would normally be available at this time. Bear in mind that many aspects of the quality of the home when it is finished are fixed at this stage – for example spacing of electric sockets and switches.

This examines the trades and finishes that will be seen by the homeowner. The neatness, squareness, levelness and general aesthetic finish are all considered. The overall effect of the finished home is what the new home owner will see and judge you by.

This section looks at aesthetic finish, much of this work can be affected by works undertaken at earlier stages. A site manager in full control will anticipate problems later on in the build and have solutions to hand.

This section covers the external features set off a new home. Whatever specification is used, it must be well presented and have a positive effect on the overall aesthetic finish of the new property.

This final section covers the site manager’s skills and how they are influencing the quality of build by setting standards of workmanship and behaviour. Site discipline and good inter-trade co-operation is key for all site managers.

This section will take you through what the Pride in the Job judges look for at each stage of construction and when considering the site manager's overall organisation and management skills.