Make the most of brickwork and roofing masterclasses from the NHBC
NHBC is the leading warranty and insurance provider for new homes in the UK. With a steadfast commitment to raising standards in the house-building industry, NHBC supports continuous improvement at all stages of build, including issue prevention through training and development.
That is why, as part of a Home Builders Federation (HBF) initiative and in partnership with the Association of Brickwork Contractors (ABC) and the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC), NHBC is offering brickwork and roofing masterclasses across the UK.
The importance of quality brickwork
The superstructure is the second highest area of claims for NHBC, accounting for approximately 30% of total claims each year. The superstructure covers the construction from the ground up to the roof and includes several aspects of the build, such as external renders, timber frames and so on, as well as brickwork.
The most frequent area for claims within the superstructure is water entry due to defective damp-proof coursing (DPCs) and cavity trays, amounting to around 60%–70% of claims related to external walls. Fortunately, this can be easily prevented with additional information and training to help get things right first time.
Understanding roofing concerns
Roofing is the build stage that leads to the highest number of defects and the highest number of warranty claims in new homes. Historical information from NHBC claims, inspections and site surveys help demonstrate what the common issues are, and what steps can be taken to improve this situation.
Trends in the data show claims for pitched roof coverings are increasing, contributing to 24% of all roof-related claims in the last 12 months.
But there have been improvements as well. Claims for fixing tiles and slates have decreased by 17% since 2017, so it is clear progress can be made, especially when key areas of concern are supported by training.
Who can join a masterclass?
Brickwork masterclasses are available to anyone working as a bricklayer or involved in the supervision or management of brickwork.
Roofing masterclasses are open to anyone working as a roofing contractor or involved in the supervision or management of roofing works.
Where are masterclasses held?
NHBC is committed to working with house builders and developers to support the delivery of these valuable sessions and making them available to as many people as possible.
A masterclass can be run at your own premises for between eight and 12 delegates. Alternatively, for sole traders or those working in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), masterclasses are also available as half-day sessions at NHBC Training Hubs across the UK from October 2024.
Masterclasses are fully funded by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), making them free to access.
Darryl Stewart, Head of Commercial Services, said: “At NHBC, we are fundamentally focused on helping house builders and developers create high-quality homes and a key part of that is looking at where issues occur and how we can all work together with the goal of continuous improvement which benefits us all.
“Plus, with even greater flexibility of delivery and funding available, there really has never been a better time to access a masterclass.”
What can I learn?
NHBC’s masterclasses can help attendees understand more about defects and improve quality, saving money and increasing productivity.
Each masterclass will address common issues and best practice around key aspects of brickwork and roofing.
The brickwork masterclass will cover:
- Cavity wall construction
- Cavity insulation
- DPCs and cavity trays
- Cavity barriers
- Timber frame
- Sound insulation.
The roofing masterclass will cover:
- Underlay and battens and roofing components
- Mortar
- Fire stopping
- Condensation control/ventilation
- Weathering and flashings
- Fixing of slates and tiles
- Wet and dry verges and valleys
- Dry/ventilated ridges.
Delivered by our highly skilled and experienced NHBC Building Inspectors, the masterclasses will include practical guidance on improving quality and standards, as well as a discussion of how to promote awareness of good practice on site.
The roofing masterclasses also align with the NFRC RoofCERT Accreditation, ensuring participants receive industry-relevant training.
These fully funded masterclasses are proving to be extremely popular so book now to avoid disappointment:
Brickwork Masterclass | NHBC
Roofing Masterclass | NHBC
*Please note that this is a commercial profile.
