In this hard-hitting episode, I sit down with Frank Chiverton — a director with over 35 years of experience in surveying, damp and mould consultancy, project planning, and contract management — for a frank and forthright conversation about the state of UK housing.

We discuss the systemic decline in build quality, the disappearance of skilled oversight on site, and how roles once responsible for quality control have been quietly phased out. Frank reflects on the legacy of schemes like Decent Homes, and how millions were spent without solving the root problems — in some cases, making them worse. We also tackle the growing talent gap in construction, the urgent need to train and support the next generation of skilled workers, and the risks posed by unqualified staff signing off work they don’t fully understand.

Our conversation doesn’t stop there. We dive into how big business continues to push substandard products into housing through slick marketing and strategic relationships — rather than genuine quality. Our concern about how the events circuit and industry bodies like the Chartered Institute of Housing have become enablers of this culture, giving platforms to suppliers and ideas that aren’t always in the best interests of residents or the sector as a whole.

This is not a light listen. But it’s an honest one. And in a sector that’s become increasingly disconnected from the reality on the ground, it’s the kind of conversation that needs to be heard.

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