FIS shines a light on bad practice

Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) is taking a stand against poor behaviour in the supply chain. Members working in the housebuilding sector have raised concerns about unfair snagging practices on plaster or tape and jointed walls where LED lights are being used at shallow angles to inspect the finish.

This improper practice whereby the light is shined close to, or directly against the surface of the wall, highlight surface imperfections which are normally imperceptible to the human eye well within tolerance when industry standard inspection methods are used.

On launching the campaign, Iain McIlwee, FIS Chief Executive stated: “We often talk about the culture of construction and that means we need to look at all behaviours and the effect they have. It is clear to us that this over-zealous approach to inspection is creating a lot of bad feeling and straining relationships. Our belief is that the practice has little to do with quality and everything to do with keeping pressure on the supply chain, making sure sub-contractors are operating under commercial tension. In the worst of cases it is being used to delay, reduce or withhold payment and with that all the cashflow and mental health issues that plague SMEs in the supply chain. It can be little more than bullying and has no place in the sector today.”​

To tackle the problem head on, FIS has published new guidance which members are encouraged to download and share with their clients ahead of starting work.

This guidance covers how inspections should be conducted and encourages the classification of the flatness of the plastered finish is agreed along with the level of smooth finishes before work starts.

FIS Head of Technical James Parlour said: “We’ve tried for a number of years attacking this problem from purely a technical perspective, but people continue to ignore the standards. Change won’t happen unless we put our heads above the parapet and start to call out bad behaviour. This latest guidance and supporting resources should help align expectation and inspections to the standards and ensures that we avoid glancing light issues in inspection which exaggerate even the smallest of imperfection.

“We do appreciate that it can be difficult for individual members to do this directly, but we are also asking members to report to us when they encounter these bad practices and we can pick it up as a collective effort. So the message is clear, if you are inspecting drylining and plaster finishes, use the standards and ensure that your processes are informed, fair and realistic. If you are a specialist contractor and have experienced unfair snagging practices, don’t just put up with it and move on reach out to us in confidence so we can log cases and start to challenge businesses to improve”.

FIS is also concerned the effect bad practices have on those looking to start a career in the sector. Young people are being encouraged into the industry but when they are faced with this culture and ruthless nature many leave before they have had chance to really see what a good career the construction industry can offer.

To support the campaign FIS will be launching a short video to help showcase the problem and is develop new training to support inspections. You can register on the FIS website to receive free access to the training when it is launched later this summer.

For more information visit https://www.thefis.org/knowledge-hub/shine-a-light-on-bad-practice-not-walls-campaign/

To report your experiences, email details in confidence to info@thefis.org or call 0121 707 0077.