The second fix is a critical phase in new-build housing installations as it delivers the gleaming finish that homeowners will ultimately see and interact with. As long as the first fix has been completed successfully, there is no reason why the second fix should not be straightforward. However, it can descends into a labyrinth of unexpected delays and costs. Here are three key points to keep in mind and save you time when selecting a second fix construction company.

It’s often the case that every tender claims to have what it takes, often at a delightfully low cost. However, risk is always lurking in the background, and determining truth from false promises can be very difficult. Thankfully, there are some key points that speak for themselves, and you can use these as a guide to selecting the ideal Specialist Trade Contractor for your project. Here are the questions to ask.

Carpentry presents a range of occupational health hazards that workers should be aware of. These include the inhalation of wood dust, injuries from manual handling, falls from elevated positions, and potential contact with hazardous chemicals and asbestos. Implementing robust safety protocols, notably the consistent use of personal protective equipment (PPE), is key to reducing these risks.

This article takes a closer look at the primary risks and recommended safety measures, providing a list of key topics for your toolbox talks.

A "contract lift" in carpentry refers to a comprehensive service where the Specialist Carpentry Contractor, such as SC4 Carpenters Ltd, works with the crane provider to assume full responsibility for the entire lifting operation, managing the lift with the crane provider and crane operator.

Basingstoke is home to many experienced and highly professional carpenters – we have worked with our fair share. However, as the centre of a diverse and complex range of new build construction projects, it’s important for contractors building in the Basingstoke area to be aware of several red flags when sourcing a carpentry and joinery partner.

Commercial painting and decorating contractors work side by side with other construction professionals to deliver a high standard of finish to new and restored properties. But which types of projects stand to benefit most from a commercial painting and decorating service? Read on to find out:

This video from SC4 Carpenters Ltd illustrates the installation of a timber frame roof. On this busy crane day in Winchester in April 2025, SC4 Carpenters installed two first floor walls and roofs and two ground floor walls and floor cassettes.

At SC4, the roof and timber frame installations we deliver as part of our carpentry services stand the test of time, combining affordability with efficiency and quality for a safe, flexible service that meets the needs of the modern construction sector. 

In this article, we explain why SC4 Carpenters makes an excellent partner for roof and timber frame installations.

The construction industry accounts for approximately 7% of the UK economy. Given its weight, it is important for business owners and industry stakeholders to keep up to date with the trends affecting the sector.

Timber frame construction is the oldest form of building technology, and there is evidence of wooden buildings in Britain dating back to the Neolithic period (4000- 2500 BCE). Archaeological sites in Balbridie in Scotland and Lismore Fields in Derbyshire have revealed a range of complex rectangular buildings with sturdy timber frames, wattle and daub walls, and thatched roofs.

31 July 2024 was a hot and busy day for SC4 Carpenters, with 15 Crane lifts of Roofs and Timber Frame over 3 sites.

First fix carpentry is the crucial initial phase of carpentry work in any construction project, responsible for creating the structural elements of the building before the finishing touches are applied.

Transitioning from the first fix (structural timber work) to the second fix carpentry stage (fixtures and fittings) is a critical phase in any building project. Seamlessly integrating both tasks is the key to creating a building that is structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing.

As a contractor or contractor-developer, you understand the significance of selecting the right specialist trade contractor to support your new-build housing projects. Working with the right specialist contractor can significantly impact your project's success, bringing in further expertise, experience, quality assurance, project management capabilities, and a strong commitment to health and safety. This eBook delves into the key aspects that a competent specialist trade contractor can contribute to your new-build housing development.

SC4 Carpenters Ltd completed the turnkey construction of this A-rated timber frame, timber clad, eco home in just 7 months.  The finished home is a warm, efficient, bright, spacious and comfortable place to live. This bungalow is all electric with multiple eco and sustainable features including air source heat pump (ASHP), solar photovoltaic panels (PV) and storage battery, and a mechanical ventilation and heat recovery (MVHR) system.

UK National Apprenticeship Week 2024, taking place between 5^th and 11^th of February, is a great time to explore what a carpentry and joinery apprenticeship involves and its practical aspects, and if this could be the right path for you into the construction industry.

This Timber Frame Installation crane day shows two roofs (top hats) being removed and first floor panels installed. Then the roofs went back on, ready for the roofers. At SC4, we’re an established commercial joinery and carpentry business with more than 20 years of experience delivering top-quality carpentry,

Building a timber frame structure requires a well-planned and expertly executed installation process. Timber frames are gaining popularity in the UK, particularly in the construction of residential and commercial buildings, so as a construction site manager or someone overseeing the project, it's essential to understand the different stages of timber frame building installation to ensure a successful and timely project completion.

Let’s take a look at the five main benefits of building sustainably in the construction industry and our best practices. Building sustainably is becoming the new norm when constructing new residential buildings, offices and even hospitals. As a responsible business owner in the construction industry, therefore, it is crucial to understand the benefits of sustainable building practices.

As timber frame installation specialists, at SC4, we take pride in ensuring that all finished structures meet their design brief for energy efficiency and sustainability. But what makes a good timber frame installation contractor, and how can you verify their energy efficiency credentials? Thermal performance can be optimised through high-quality insulation, preventing thermal bridging (see below) and using materials with a high thermal mass.

In June 2023, SC4 Carpenters Ltd completed the carpentry works for 80 affordable new homes in Totton, Hampshire. The development will mainly consist of two, three and four-bedroom houses along with a small collection of one and two-bedroom flats. All homes will be provided on an affordable basis, with half of the homes available to purchase through the shared ownership scheme and the remaining half offered for rent.

On 27 April 2023 SC4 installed its final timber frame plot at North Stoneham Park as 5 years carrying out Carpentry and Timber Frame contract works for Highwood and Taylor Lane on this site drew to a close. SC4 has contributed to the construction of almost 900 new homes on the site which consists of 10 phases. It was a brilliant opportunity to be part of building this new community so close to my home and where I grew up.

All carpentry involves cutting, shaping and assembling wooden materials to create structures, fittings and furnishings. All carpentry involves cutting, shaping and assembling wooden materials to create structures, fittings and furnishings. However, the on-site tasks of a commercial carpentry contractor can mostly be categorised into either first fix or second fix carpentry.

The traditional brick and mortar construction method is no longer the only way to build a new home. Timber frame construction has become increasingly popular for residential new builds in the UK, thanks to its many advantages over more traditional building methods. Timber frame construction is a type of prefabricated building system that uses load bearing timber components instead of masonry or steel framing.

If you’re planning a large residential construction project, it’s important to ensure that you have the right contractors working on each aspect of the job in order to avoid overspend or delays. One key element of any commercial building project is carpentry and joinery. Let’s take a closer look at why you should use a commercial carpentry contractor for your next construction project.

First fix carpentry is an important part of any commercial building process. First fix involves the installation of the structural carpentry elements, such as the timber framework, joists, studwork, floorboards and roofing, that provide the load-bearing features of a building. In this article, we will discuss what exactly first fix carpentry is and why it pays to hire a professional to support you at this crucial stage of building development.

Commercial second fix carpentry generally refers to the installation of doors, windows, and other fixtures and fittings in a commercial setting.  It’s what happens once the first fix trades complete the installation of the structural components of the build, and at SC4 Carpenters, we are happy to offer both first and second fix aspects of carpentry for all types of residential and commercial property development.

Project Managers want reliable subcontractors with high-quality service at each project stage, and sourcing the right subcontractors can make the difference. Commercial construction can be a challenging field to work in, with tight budgets and deadlines, health and safety responsibilities and multiple trades who need collaborate with each other.

The best carpentry professionals enhance their skills by learning ‘trade secrets’, techniques and tips to help get the job done efficiently and accurately. The best professionals keep their skills sharp by learning ‘trade secrets’, techniques and tips that help them get the job done efficiently and accurately – without compromising on safety or quality.

Carpentry involves cutting, shaping, installing, finishing and repairing the wood products used in construction, from interior trim work such as door frames, staircases and skirtings to external window frames and roofing – and even including load-bearing structural components. Decorating services include painting walls, ceilings, doors, and windows as well as installing wallpaper and exterior finishes.

The success of a construction project often depends on the quality of the work done by first and second fix carpentry contractors. In this article, we want to discuss in detail the second fix carpentry process for residential new builds and refurbishments. We hope this will help you be more confident when discussing your needs with prospective contractors and putting together an outstanding team.

As every construction project manager knows, ensuring that all first fix joinery work is solid is a crucial part of any residential project. First fix joinery involves structural work, ranging from floors and ceilings to door frames, wall studs, and other space divisions that are put in place before plastering can begin. Therefore, high-quality first fix carpentry and joinery are essential when it comes to ensuring the structural stability of a new building.

Choosing the right professional painting and decorating service provider matters to the overall quality of a construction project. Choosing the right professional painting and decorating service provider matters to the overall quality of a construction project. Working with an experienced contractor can help make project completion smoother, while ensuring compliance and helping build a solid reputation as a developer.

SC4 Carpenters Ltd is pleased to announce that we have won Best Carpentry Business - Southern England at the SME News UK Enterprise Awards. "We pride ourselves on providing a high quality service to our customers, safely and to programme, working in partnership with our clients – and are pleased that this has been recognised by this award."

Working in construction can be dangerous and accounts for thousands of injuries every year in the UK, which is why companies should place health and safety at the heart of their organisation in managing a commercial construction project. Keeping alert on-site requires knowledge of health and safety guidelines covering a wide range of areas, including:

In August 2022, SC4 Carpenters Ltd was thrilled by another glowing testimonial from very satisfied client, Redrow. The quantity surveyor and site management team described SC4 as "a pleasure to work with - showing great professionalism, craftsmanship and constant attention to health and safety on site, dedication to the development and willingness to help and find solutions."

SC4 were recently awarded a £5,000 grant from the CITB Skills & Training Fund, which we are using to fund training for our workforce, as part of our commitment to ongoing quality improvement, professional development, and health and safety. Our managers, staff, and subcontractors are all encouraged to engage with regular training and professional development courses that align with their job objectives and working patterns.

There are plenty of carpentry contractors you can engage to work on a development project, but not all of them will have the same levels of experience and expertise. In this article, we look at the essential ‘tricks of the trade’ that a competent carpenter will definitely know and apply in every project – and which a Project Manager or QS may not necessarily be aware of if he or she is not themselves trained as a carpenter.

Timber framed buildings are strong, durable, and cost effective – and also boast an impressive array of green credentials. Here are a few of the surprising benefits of timber frame construction for property developments, refurbishments, and conversions. Organic materials such as wood have properties that are impossible to mimic with synthetic options.

SC4 is proud to have once again been certified by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and TrustMark for our commercial carpentry, timber frame and decorating works. The FMB has carried out an independent inspection of our works and has certified that we meets its strict membership requirements and government-endorsed TrustMark quality standards.

In Summer 2022, SC4 Carpenters Ltd and SC4 Decorators start work on Phase 2 of the Foreman Homes project at Selborne Road, Alton, Hampshire. SC4 frequently wins multiple phases with existing clients reflecting the high standard of work and customer satisfaction offered by SC4 as well as the benefits of working with an established contract carpentry and decorating company.

Good carpenters are always in demand. According to a 2019 survey, carpentry is the top trade job in the UK, and demand for professionals in this industry increased by more than 65% between 2019 and 2020 alone. Having said that, there are different types of carpenters. Carpentry contractors can specialise in different areas, from framing and structural work (first fix) to cabinet and door fitting (second fix).

In March 2022, we were proud to be named as the very first winners of the Taylor Lane Timber Frame Ltd's Subcontractor Award. Taylor Lane Timber Frame described SC4 as excelling in their approach to health & safety on site, whilst continually striving to find ways of improving in any way possible, with SC4 playing a proactive part in effective planning, with their efficient management of materials and works on site.

From roofs/first fix to second fix and finals, trust, skill and reliability matter in construction. But sometimes it can be hard to determine the criteria to use in order to select the best commercial carpentry contractor. Insurance, accreditations, skills, qualifications and experience - they're all important. Here are eight tips for hiring the best carpentry and joinery contractors for building developments.

When it comes to residential care, people are looking for names that they can trust to provide a professional and responsive service, with that extra attention to detail that makes such a difference. And leading providers in the care industry expect those same high standards to be applied in the construction of their new care homes. As part of our 21st birthday celebrations, we looked back at some of our Care & Residential Home projects over the years.

As part of our 21st birthday celebrations, SC4 Carpenters Ltd has looked back a some of its projects over the past few years.  Since 2016, SC4 has been providing contract carpentry services to Foreman Homes for 2 back-to-back projects off Walworth Road in Picket Piece, Andover. The latest, The Nightingales, included extensive exterior cladding giving a luxury finish to these beautiful homes.

Building a housing development or other construction project from scratch has a number of different stages as far as carpentry and joinery work is concerned.As a contractor or lead developer, it’s important to get them right to avoid messing up or correcting costly mistakes down the line. In the earlier stages of construction, there's a lot of behind the scenes work for trades specialists: electricians, plumbers, and of course joiners and carpenters.

The construction sector has been at the forefront of change in recent months, with some key issues – disruptions in global supply chains, shortages in skilled labour, and variations in prices – causing uncertainty for construction firms and project managers. So, how can we help you to overcome the three main challenges faced by the construction sector?

Although there is a considerable overlap of skills between carpentry and joinery, the two are quite distinct; so, if you’re a construction business or main contractor looking for a trustworthy and professional carpentry contractor for your construction project, or are considering a career in the industry, it’s important to understand the similarities and differences between carpentry and joinery.

In this article we explain what Social Value in Construction means to us. We are proud that our company represents a diverse local social and ethnic community where the benefits provided by individual skills and experience, knowledge, expertise, neurodiversity and conditions such as dyslexia are valued and our workforce and local community is supported.

The benefits of timber frame construction are hard to ignore, whether you’re a project manager responsible for the redevelopment of land, or a self-builder seeking an affordable way to create your dream home. However, when considering whether to choose timber frame construction, the cost must be taken into account. So, what is the cost of timber frame construction and how does it compare with traditional building methods?

0330 120 0776

When the construction of your project has been completed, painting and decorating is the most effective way to bring the building alive so that it’s ready to welcome its new occupants. Whether you’re constructing a new home development, office, hospital, or school, applying that final finish is essential to add warmth to the building and make it inviting and attractive

Conventional construction methods have become the failsafe choice for most building projects, yet modern engineering and architecture has enabled the construction of timber framed housing instead. For decades, most homes in the UK have been built using conventional construction methods, with assembly starting from the ground upwards using brick, stone, plaster, or stucco.

SC4 Carpenters' workforce star in this new Milwaukee Tool promotional video: "MILWAUKEE® Cordless Carpentry Solutions: From Frame to Finish", filmed in Hampshire in early 2021. The filming took place on various sites of our valued clients, Highwood Construction and Foreman Homes. SC4 was pleased to assist Milwaukee with this promo and excited to test their range of heavy duty cordless carpentry tools. 

SC4 Carpenters uses Drone Videography to showcase and review our progress on site. This often gets picked up and shared by our clients, helping them to promote their new homes to partners and potential homeowners. We took the first two videos in May 2021 at Foreman Homes' sites in Oakley and Selbourne, where we are carpentry and decorating contractors. 

At SC4 Carpenters Ltd we are proud of our excellent health and safety record over the last 21 years. We have just renewed our SMAS and Acclaim SSIPs accrediations for 2021-2022. In this article we explain what these accreditations mean for us, our clients and our workforce. Health and safety is one of the most important considerations that should take before any construction project gets underway. 

It's great to use drone video photography to see how a build is progressing from the air. We filmed this at Foreman Homes' site in Oakley in May 2021, where we are the carpentry and decorating contractors for 85 new homes.

In March 2021, SC4 Decorators completed the wallpapering and decorating for Nicholas King's beautiful Show Homes on their Water's Edge site in Mytchett, near Camberley. SC4 is carrying out the contract decorating works for 248 new homes over 3 phases. The apartments overlooking the lake are underway and will be completed in April 2021.

SC4 Carpenters have won a NEW contract to provide carpentry services for a 68 bed care home in Hedge End for primary contractor, Highwood Group. We are excited to work alongside Highwood again, in what looks to be an exciting and interesting project. The two-storey care home will incorporate a brick and timber clad façade with large terraces on the first floor and two accommodation wings either side.

Congratulations and thank you to all our subcontractors who helped erect the timberframe for Taylor Lane at North Stoneham Park. From March 2018 to August 2019, SC4 erected 250 NEW BUILD houses and flats for timberframe manufacturer, Taylor Lane, at the Highwood site, North Stoneham Park. Throughout the project our team has overcome all the challenges without issues.