The Padcroft development where Redrow is trialling service pods
Redrow Homes is expanding its use of offsite manufactured components with trials of service pods and modular garages.
The housebuilder said it was looking to improve productivity and reduce reliance on site-based workers after experiencing a 4% increase in build costs over the past year.
Redrow is fitting service pods on its Padcroft development in West Drayton, Middlesex, while two of its divisions are trialling modular garages.
“These innovations not only reduce reliance upon site based skilled workers but also give more certainty over costs,” said John Tutte, group chief executive. “During the year we estimate that build costs increased by around 4% with spikes in some material costs being offset by easing labour cost pressures.”
He added that Redrow was revamping its quality inspection regime. “We are currently rolling out a tablet-based quality control system to replace traditional out-dated checklists,” Tutte said. “This system will archive inspections and images and allow direct communication with contractors to better manage standards and quality.”
Redrow reported a 16% rise in revenue to £1.92bn for the year to 30 June 2018 (2017: £1.66bn), while profit before tax was up 21% to £380m (£315m). Completions rose 9% to 5,913 (5,416).
The housebuilder created 100 new jobs during the year, and now employs just under 2,300 people directly, with 15% of its workforce trainees on structured training programmes.
Tutte said: “We live in challenging political and economic times. We can however draw comfort from knowing there remains a strong demand for new homes supported by both a competitive mortgage market and the highly successful Help to Buy scheme.”
