Should You Buy An Electric Van?

Chris Murray of Bosch Professional Power Tools and Accessories provides his expert insight into what power tool accessories you should be using when working with metal.For more visit the Bosch website

Electric Vehicles (EVs for short) are increasingly being found on our roads. But are they right for people in the trades?Ed and Luke from Professional Builder discuss the pros and cons of EV vehicles and Luke chats to Chris from Bosch about their new range of accessories.This episode is sponsored by Bosch Professional Accessories | Bosch Professional

In the latest edition of the Professional Builder Podcast we talk to the Chief Executive of the Federation of Master Builders, Brian Berry about the trade association’s ‘licence to build’ campaign.Licence to Build | FMB, Federation of Master BuildersIn our sponsored content we explore the Bosch range of VDE hand tools and its electrical testers. VDE hand tools: Insulated hand tools Hand toolsElectrical Testers: Electrical testers Measuring technology

The Construction Fixings Association (CFA) was set up in 1979 to encourage and promote best practice for fixings in the construction industry. For the latest episode of the Professional Builder Podcast, we sat down with Chris Middleton, General Manager of the CFA, who has over 30 years of experience running fixings and fastening companies, to find out why best practice is important and common mistakes for tradespeople to avoid. 

The Super Trowel 2025 bricklaying competition is bigger than ever this year with regional heats around the country before a final on August 13th & 14th at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire.This month’s Professional Builder podcast is from the Southern Regional where we speak to Super Trowel founder, Ashley Francis and his fellow directors, Jack Dawson, and Joe Short, along with competitors on the day and judges.

We report from the 2025 Trades United Van Rally. Hundreds of tradespeople gathered in their vehicles to travel in convoy to Parliament Square to protest about a lack of action to combat tool theft. We hear from the attendees about some of their shocking experience of being victims of crime, and what they want government and the authorities to do.In our sponsored content, we talk to Chris Murray, Bosch UK Power Tools Trainer about the health and safety advances in the manufacturer’s accessories range. Bosch has committed to designing a whole range of solutions and the full attention of its research and development department has been brought to bear on its sanding, SDS drilling and angle grinder products.-----Follow Trades United on instagram - instagram.com/tradesunitedVisit the Bosch Professional website - bosch-professional.com/gb/en

In this month’s episode of the Professional Builder Podcast, we’re continuing our series on energy efficiency and the Future Homes Standard. This time we’re talking to Dr. Richard Jack, Technical Director at Build Test Solutions. Listen on to find out how measured energy performance can help tradespeople improve the UK’s housing stock and save big on homeowner energy bills.

As an important part of British construction and British culture in general, it seems odd that there’s not really been much in the way of events celebrating bricklaying. It’s a trade that requires a lot of skill (and a very long time) to master. Three bricklayers that clearly thought the same are Ashley Francis, Joe Short and Jack Dawson, the founders of Super Trowel. Now in its second year, the competition and exhibition, that looks to find the country’s best bricklayer, is back and bigger than before with the final taking place on August 8th in the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes. Contestants will be judged on speed and precision as they tackle a 9-metre-long wall. There’s an eye watering first place prize totalling over £15,000 up for grabs. Take a listen as we chat to Ash, Joe and Jack about Super Trowel and all things bricklaying. Make sure you grab your tickets while you still can and may the best bricklayer win!

In this instalment of the Professional Builder podcast we talk to Band of Builders CEO, Gavin Crane about the vital financial, practical and wellbeing support that the charity is providing to the UK construction industry.Band of Builders | National Charity for Tradespeople – Band of Builders LtdIn our sponsored content, Sian Holland, Key Account Manager at Bosch Professional Accessories provides some insight into the many features and benefits of the carbide technology in the manufacturer’s drill bits and blades.Bosch power tools | Bosch Professional (bosch-professional.com)

In the latest episode of the Professional Builder podcast we report from the Trades United van rally in Parliament Square and talk to some of its organisers and participants. With tool theft reaching what has been described as epidemic proportions, a group of tradespeople recently decided to take a stand. The van rally saw builders, plumbers and electricians from across the country come together to throw a spotlight on the issue and urge the government to do more. For more information visit ‘STOP TOOL THEFT’ Westminster Rally - Professional Builder (probuildermag.co.uk)