Home renovation platform Houzz Inc., has launched new tools for industry professionals that make it easier to manage complex projects, stay organised and reduce costly errors using Houzz Pro, the industry’s leading all-in-one project management and design software. The tools include the Subcontractor Dashboard, Google Drive Integration and Photo Documentation.  

“We understand the unique complexities that come with managing large teams and projects. With the release of these tools, we’re simplifying the process for larger firms, helping them track all the moving pieces of their projects in one place,” said Alon Cohen, Houzz co-founder and CEO. “By getting everyone on the same page, Houzz Pro software helps reduce errors and identify potential issues that could impact project timelines and budgets.”

The new tools include: 

• Subcontractor Dashboard: The Houzz Pro Subcontractor Dashboard helps building and renovation firms align with subcontractors (e.g., electricians and plumbers), giving firms the ability to share access to the project information subcontractors need to do work on time and on budget, including the project schedule, assigned tasks and key files. 

• Google Drive Integration: Houzz Pro’s Google Drive Integration enables pros to further streamline their project and file management. Now, pros can pull files and photos straight from their Google Drive into project documents within Houzz Pro, including estimates, invoices or daily logs. This helps pros both save time, eliminating the need to download and reupload files, and keeps projects organised by housing a single source of truth directly in Houzz Pro. 

• Photo Documentation: With Photo Documentation capabilities in Houzz Pro, pros can create an organised and easily accessible record of their work by saving an unlimited number of photos directly to a project’s Daily Logs or Files and Folders. Daily logs can be shared internally to track job-site activity, ensure crew alignment and safeguard against liabilities. Pros can also share daily logs (including photos) with clients, giving them transparency into project progress. 

Houzz Pro helps pros win projects, collaborate with clients and teams, and run their businesses efficiently and profitably, while delivering an outstanding client experience. The new tools are fully integrated into the software, which empowers pros to manage their entire project lifecycle in one place including Estimates, 3D Floor Plans, Selections, Invoices and Online Payments, and more. Sign up at houzz.co.uk/pro. 

Hundreds of thousands of GCSE students will receive their exam results this Thursday before deciding whether to pursue A-Levels and higher education or pursue a vocational course such as a T-Level or apprenticeship.

Data from Gov.uk reveals that 87% of pupils who finished their GCSEs in July 2017 went into education immediately after, with only 4% going on to take apprenticeships and 3% going straight into employment. There is a growing need for more young people to take apprenticeships in the UK, with data from the Department of Education revealing that only 1% of young people are studying for a T-Level.

The lack of encouragement onto the worksite poses another issue as young people aren’t being incentivised into a career in the trades as research from Fix Radio – the UK’s only national radio station for builders – finds that 65% of Brits say they did not receive enough encouragement to pursue a career in the trades during their academic years. Endemic labour shortages have been laid bare as the skills deficit cripples the construction sector, with 225,000 extra workers needed to fulfil existing construction demand. Broadcaster on Fix Radio, Clive Holland, discusses how national apathy towards apprenticeships has exacerbated the skills deficit and, by extension, the housing crisis. 

In light of GCSE results day, the newly launched National Construction Audit from Fix Radio has unveiled that 18% of British parents would not want their children to work in the construction industry because they don’t believe they will earn enough money. As the national average salary for a construction apprentice stands at £23,828 according to Glassdoor, apprentices will be able to not only earn on the job but also be debt-free. This also coincides with many tradespeople’s jobs earning sizeable amounts more than university graduates. According to research carried out by the Federation of Master Builders, brickies, plumbers, and other skilled professionals were taking home earnings that dwarfed those of graduates by thousands of pounds.

• Site manager – £51,266
• Plumbers – £48,675
• Supervisors – £48,407
• Electricians – £47,265
• Roofers – £42,303
• Bricklayers – £42,034
• Carpenters and joiners – £41,413
• Plasterers – £41,045
• Scaffolders – £40,942
• Painters and decorators – £34,587

With a further 67% of Brits (29.7 million) agreeing that their most valuable professional development came from learning on the job from skilled professionals, it is more imperative than ever for the UK to support apprenticeships. Research from the Institute of Student Employers (ISE) indicates that the average graduate salary in the UK sits at £33,229. As the number of people starting apprenticeships fell from 500,000 in 2015 to 337,000 last year, more must be done to encourage young people to opt for apprenticeships over traditional university degrees.  According to Clive Holland, failure to address the lack of builders in the UK will affect any measures introduced to tackle the housing crisis after the election, which could potentially be alleviated by encouraging more young people into apprenticeships. The CIPD states the number of apprenticeships starts has significantly decreased since the introduction of the current apprenticeship levy system in 2017, creating a bigger issue around labour shortages. Analysis of Department for Education figures shows a 41% decline (almost 54,000) in starts for those under 19 and a 36% decline (55,000) for those aged 19-24 between 2015 and 2023.

Clive Holland, host of The Clive Holland Show on Fix Radio, comments, “Apprenticeships are on the decline, and the Department of Education, by their own admission, shows that only one per cent of all young people are studying for a T-Level.

“Since Brexit, record numbers of tradespeople have left the country, and the stresses of an overstretched workforce are prompting thousands of colleagues to either retrain or leave the industry entirely. As Fix’s research has shown, the nation is starting to feel this pinch – with increasing numbers finding themselves waiting more than a year for a tradesperson to see them – imagine what this means for the housing crisis in the long term.

“Years of continually missed homebuilding targets are now pricing millions of people out of the property market, and it will only get worse. We simply need more builders. If political parties, irrespective of their stripe or colour, honestly believe they can address the housing crisis without having the serious conversation of addressing the skills deficit, we’re heading into a very dangerous position.”

Lyrical Communications, part of Nineteen Group, has revealed details of an enhanced strategic partnership with the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) that spans the InstallerSHOW, InstallerDIGITAL, and elementalLONDON brands.

Building on the existing collaboration, which saw the BMA contribute to expanding the bathroom segment at InstallerSHOW, and the delivery of the inaugural Installer Kitchens & Bathrooms event in 2024 (including the popular Future of Water theatre), the enhanced offering will include co-location of BMA events at both InstallerSHOW and elementalLONDON in 2025, as well as substantially increased input into mixed media content for the K&B stream of the InstallerDIGITAL platform.

Tom Reynolds, CEO of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association, comments: “Today’s announcement is a natural evolution of the longstanding and fruitful collaboration between BMA and Lyrical Communications. As an industry, bathroom manufacturers and installers are critical in the effort to make the UK’s building stock fit for the 21st century. Lyrical’s full portfolio, including elementalLONDON and the expanded Installer Kitchens & Bathrooms, brings together all the relevant stakeholders. The partnership, therefore, perfectly aligns with our association’s mission.”

Michael Costain, managing director of Lyrical Communications, adds: “This is a partnership that has flourished over a number of years, and we’re delighted to be able to expand our collaboration across the entire Lyrical portfolio. Working together in this way ensures we are able to deliver valuable content which benefits the entire kitchens and bathrooms supply chain – whether online or in person.”

Installer Kitchens & Bathrooms at InstallerSHOW 2025 (taking place from June 24-26 at NEC Birmingham) will serve as a pivotal gathering for industry leaders, including manufacturers, retailers, designers, distributors, specifiers, and installers. This event is designed to foster a collaborative approach to shaping the sector’s future. Following its successful debut in 2024, which showcased cutting-edge technology, tools, and innovation, the 2025 event will continue strengthening the supply chain through education, knowledge sharing, and networking. Attendees can look forward to a comprehensive content program in dedicated theatres, covering essential topics like water and energy efficiency, design innovation, sustainable and smart technology, best practices, and relevant legislation.

elementalLONDON (19-20 November 2025, ExCeL London) has the ethos of “Advancing the efficiency of buildings” at its core. It will deliver an informative and engaging conference, exhibition and networking programme that combines deep insight with a practical understanding of the challenges faced by building owners and operators and the entire supply chain with whom they work.

InstallerDIGITAL is the UK’s leading online platform for tradespeople in the heating, plumbing, electrical and K&B sectors. It has been at the heart of the industry for more than two decades and is a both a trusted voice and the primary resource for news, opinion, technical information, and advice across the installation community.

Bathroom products brand Roca has invested in CRB Health Tech’s third fund, CRB Digital Health III. This is Spain’s first European fund dedicated exclusively to digital health, focusing on acquiring stakes in companies within this sector.

Roca Group’s investment of one million euros is made through Roca Group Ventures, its vehicle for investing in start-ups and innovative projects. This move demonstrates Roca Group’s interest in innovative digital technologies and artificial intelligence that enhance people’s lives and could soon be applied to health in the bathroom.

CRB Health Tech has a solid track record with two previous funds in biotechnology and medical devices. With this third fund, it transitions towards digital health, reinforcing its commitment to this growing sector. Besides Roca Group, prominent investors in the fund include Sanitas (insurance), CBNK (financial sector), and Cantabria Labs, Aldo Union and Tiselab (pharmaceutical industry). The City Council of Barcelona, numerous family offices and individual investors also support the fund.

Stockist: rocagroup.com