VOLOCO LLP

08/06/2026

Another busy month at VOLOCO, supporting projects across the construction sector. Here’s a snapshot of our recent work.

▪️ First buildings progressing for completion at The Propeller Quarter, Brabazon where George Walters is providing BIM and Design Management Support to YTL Construction.
▪️ Richard Denoon has supported a range of projects for new client ABS Elbrow while continuing to deliver QS tender support for Beard in Bristol, including measurement, scope reviews, and subcontract tender packages.
▪️Terry John continues to provide QS support to our long-term client, Wyatt & Sons Fencing, working across 30 projects this month.

Bteam • Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust • Littlewood Group • McLaren Construction (Regeneration) Ltd • M X Construction Ltd • RED Construction Group

From tender stage through to project delivery, VOLOCO provides responsive commercial and design management support to construction businesses across the UK.

Discover how VOLOCO can support your next project: www.voloco.co.uk

05/06/2026

Construction has long talked about skills shortages, but statistics like this suggest the challenge is not just attracting people into the industry but also keeping them there.

If fewer than half of apprentices are completing their training, it raises some important questions. Are we giving people the support, guidance and opportunities they need once they start? Are expectations clear on both sides? And are we doing enough to show young people that construction can offer a rewarding, long-term career?

Apprenticeships remain one of the best ways to bring new talent into the industry, but recruitment is only the first step and retention needs to be a focus.

What do you think is the biggest reason apprentices leave before completing their training? There could be several potential factors impacting this:

• Pay and financial pressures
• Mismatch between expectations and reality
• Lack of support/mentoring
• Training quality or employer commitment issues
• Travel and logistics (construction rarely has a fixed location)
• Workplace culture
• Alternative career opportunities
• Education and academic challenges

Is it an apprenticeship issue at all or a wider industry retention issue?

As a growing business, we’d like to play our part in helping develop future talent within the industry. For us, though, it’s not about ticking a box. It’s about making sure we can provide the right environment, support and learning opportunities so that when we bring someone into the business, we give them the best possible chance to build a successful career.

03/06/2026

While technologies like 3D printing are unlikely to replace traditional construction methods any time soon, they are pushing the industry to think differently about project delivery. It can impact productivity, waste reduction, programme certainty, and efficiency.

At VOLOCO, we’re always interested in innovations that have the potential to improve outcomes for clients, contractors and the wider industry. It will be interesting to see how and when techniques showcased in these impressive demonstration projects filter down to everyday construction.

What will be the biggest barrier to wider adoption of technologies like 3D printing in construction? Cost, regulation, skills, client confidence, or something else?

https://www.ukconstructionmedia.co.uk/news/europes-largest-3d-printed-apartment-building-completed/

01/06/2026

Some projects stand out not only for their scale, but for the difference they'll make to the communities they serve.

VOLOCO was proud to support Massey Cladding Solutions by providing quantity surveying services on the Pentre Awel Life Science and Well-being Village. Helping to support the delivery of a development that will enhance wellbeing, create opportunities and drive regional growth.

A great example of how construction can help create meaningful, long-term value for communities, and a project we're pleased to have been involved with.

🔗https://www.voloco.co.uk/case-studies/pentre-awel-life-science-well-being-village/

29/05/2026

With the Commercial Payments Bill now before the House of Lords, could the end of retention clauses be in sight?

Retention clauses require 3-5% of the contract value to be withheld by the upstream party, whether it is the client or the main contractor. Half is supposed to be released on practical completion, with the other half being released at the end of the defects period, which can be as much as 3 years later for some of the larger infrastructure projects. These clauses have long posed significant challenges for contractors, including:

• Delayed payment of retention sums.
• Retentions are lost completely with upstream insolvency.
• Cash flow strains, particularly for small contractors.

Following the collapse of Carillion in 2018, several Private Members' Bills have been introduced to provide better protection to those parties subject to retention, but they have all failed to progress through to legislation. This latest bill is the result of a Government consultation on poor payment practices in 2025, but will it be the one to make it through Parliament and become law?

In the meantime, retention remains a key part of working in the UK construction industry, and it is important to keep track of who holds what so it can be chased at the appropriate times.

At VOLOCO, we know how frustrating it can be to have to fight to get paid money you are owed. Get in touch to find out more.

27/05/2026

Great to see planning approved for the return of the Fashion Museum to Bath, bringing new life to one of the city centre’s historic buildings while investing in the cultural and economic future of the area.

Projects like this demonstrate how heritage, regeneration and construction can work together to create long-term value for communities. Repurposing existing buildings not only preserves local character but also supports sustainability goals by extending the life of important assets.

With funding reportedly secured for the £24m development, the focus now turns to delivering a project that balances conservation, commercial viability and visitor experience. We know that early collaboration among the client, design, and delivery teams will be key to ensuring the project is completed successfully while managing the challenges the industry continues to face around cost, procurement, and delivery certainty.

It will be great to see how this development contributes to Bath’s wider tourism and cultural economy in the years ahead.

🔗https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/local-news/fashion-museum-return-bath-absolutely-10964733

Fashion Museum Bath

25/05/2026

For this month’s photo challenge, we focused on the small habits that shape our day-to-day. The VOLOCO Construction Consulting team works across a variety of projects and locations. While no two days look exactly the same, everyone has their own routines that help keep things running smoothly.

The theme was: “Daily Habits.”

From the first coffee of the morning and a quick stretch before starting the day, to taking time for lunch, resetting a tidy desk at the end of the day, and winding down with evening meditation, the photos highlighted the small habits that help keep us focused and ready for what’s next.

Different routines, same dedication to the work we do.

John Perry Green Denoon Walters

22/05/2026

Construction still has one of the biggest talent pools sitting just outside the fence line.

The statistic highlights the industry potentially missing out on skills, perspectives and problem-solving ability at a time when the industry is crying out for people.

Things are slowly changing across the industry with more women leading projects, running businesses, managing sites and designing than ever before, but there’s still a long way to go.

At VOLOCO, we believe the industry benefits when it reflects the wider communities it builds for.

20/05/2026

Great to see this project uniting one of the world’s most influential games with a real-world construction company.

Games like Minecraft have been helping to shape the next generation of digital construction skills. They develop spatial awareness, collaboration, problem solving, planning, resource management and digital building logic before seeing BIM software of professional 3D modelling programmes.

There are already educational initiatives that have used Minecraft to teach construction management and built environment principles to young people joining the industry.

We can see how digital confidence is now critical to be able to perform most roles in the industry and the gaming industry is helping prepare young people to deliver.

🔗https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2026/05/13/glencar-revealed-as-builder-of-50m-minecraft-world/

Contractor confirmed on latest attraction at Chessington World of Adventures

18/05/2026

VOLOCO supports diverse construction projects across multiple sectors, scales, and disciplines. Here are some of this month’s highlights:

▪️ Alongside supporting McLaren Construction on the new Cardiff Arena project, Ben Webb has continued delivering support to our Retained Services clients.
▪️ Basement slab and walls poured at Hertford College, where Richard Perry is providing QS support to Beard Construction.
▪️ In Cambridge, Adrian Green is progressing the pre-construction phase of the Fernleigh Farm development.
▪️ We’re also pleased to welcome ABS Elbrow as a new client, with Richard Denoon delivering bid support, subcontract and tender reviews, alongside wider QS services.

Bteam • Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust • Littlewood Group • Porcek Contracts • RED Construction Group • Wyatt & Sons Fencing Ltd • YTL Construction

At VOLOCO Construction Consulting, we provide bespoke, flexible, and responsive support services for contractors, subcontractors, and developers across Quantity Surveying, Design Management, and Bid Management.

If you’d like to discuss how we can support your business, feel free to get in touch.

Find out more: www.voloco.co.uk