Skill Builder

Roger speaks with Duncan, a homeowner left without heating for more than 2½ years after a disastrous air-source heat pump installation under the UK Eco4 government scheme. Installers got the heat-loss calcs wrong, fitted undersized radiators, never commissioned the system, and even added solar panels without checking the roof structure — causing further damage. The result: a cold home, big bills, and emergency repairs. This isn’t an isolated case. With minimal inspections and installers chasing grant money over quality, thousands risk poor installs, damp, and structural issues — with no real safety net. Duncan has now launched a charity to support others caught in the same situation and to push for urgent reform of government-backed retrofit schemes.

Thermally broken lintels minimise heat transfer through the building envelope to meet Part L of the Building Regulations. Catnic’s thermally broken lintels use two folded steel sections bonded to a high-strength, thermally efficient core, achieving psi values no greater than 0.05 W/mK without additional brackets or cold bridges. Traditional steel lintels create significant thermal bridges by crossing the insulated cavity. Separating the inner and outer steel sections breaks this thermal convection and reduces heat flow by over 90%, depending on the design. Catnic thermally broken lintels are available to suit 90-205mm cavities, in standard, heavy or extra heavy duty load capacities. ________________________ Summary ❄️ Thermally broken lintels slash heat loss by eliminating cold bridging.

Roger visits the Pipelife Academy in Cork, Ireland, to discuss heat pumps and renewable energy technology with Mike Geary.

Roger travelled to Ellesmere Port to get a plastering lesson from Kirk Johnstone. The guys took a break and Kirk shared some insights on plastering life.

Roger looks at heating systems and explains their features and benefits as energy efficiency and sustainability become increasingly important, homeowners have various home heating choices.

Roger has a chat with Russel Pieters from MSA Safety about staying safe on-site and how to choose the correct head protection.

Should you be running your heating constantly or are you better off using your timer?

Roger has a chat with Structural Engineer John Cranna, who started his consultancy in 1992, having worked for major engineering consultants Ove Arup, Scott Wilson and Halcrow. ​

Roger Bisby has a chat with Dan Cox about his life as a carpenter and how becoming an inventor came naturally.

Roger and Sam discuss working with type 1 diabetes and how to stay motivated and energised as self-employed tradesmen.

Roger catches up with Ian Elliott of CITS (Combined Industries Theft Solutions) to see the state of play with our anti-tool theft campaign.

Roger is joined by Damian Wallis of Safeguard Europe, the leading manufacturer and supplier of specialist damp-proofing and waterproofing products.

Roger and Mike discuss the quality of the training offered by one of the major players in the air source heat pump space.

Roger looks at robotic bricklaying technology and asks the question, is the future of construction robotic?

Roger is joined by Clive Drummond from In My Yard, the marketplace for trades and DIYers to buy & sell new, used and surplus stock.

Roger is joined by Owen Freeman from Plastic Surgeon Fine Finishers, a UK network providing high-quality, engineered repairs of damaged surfaces.

Government announced the creation of a national construction products regulator with the responsibility to ensure homes are constructed using 'safe' materials.

Roger is joined by damp cure expert Mostyn Neylon-Witham from Dovedale Dampcure Services Ltd who are damp specialists in the treatment of condensative dampness, damp walls and penetrating damp.

We're joined by Martyn Bridges from Worcester Bosch to discuss hydrogen boilers and the future of heating our homes with reduced emissions.

Roger discusses cowboy plumbers and cowboy builders and looks back at his time on the BBC with Watchdog and Rogue Traders.