Expanding in to Somerset

Meyers Estate Agents Expands into Somerset

The UK’s first 24/7 home-based agency, Meyers Estate Agents, is expanding into Somerset. The award-winning agency set up ten years ago, from founder Mark Meyer and his wife Claire’s Dorset garage, now has nine successful franchisees across the region and is recruiting nationally.

Mark Meyer, principal, Meyers Estate Agents explains: “Taking advantage of the latest technology combined with the low overheads achieved by moving away from the high street, offers a robust and resilient business model.

We help property owners sell fast through local knowledge, great marketing and digital channels. Over the past decade, we have carefully developed and piloted the agile Meyers concept, moving it beyond all expectations.

“I’m pleased to confirm that Sara Benham will now manage Meyers’ mid-Somerset territory. Sara’s previous experience as an estate agent and the strength of her local connections will ensure she is well placed to take advantage of some of the most buoyant property market conditions we have ever seen to offer houses for sale in Street, Glastonbury, Wells and Shepton Mallet.”

Sara Benham confirms: “I ran my own online agency for four years and previously worked as an agent for Purplebricks and before that as a manager for a Countrywide high street branch. I’ve now chosen to make the move to Meyers because the franchise includes all the best elements from the traditional model without the unnecessary trappings of a high-street location.

It’s also a family business with strong ethics and values centred around a personal approach, which looks after both sellers and buyers equally and this really appealed to me. “The tools and training provided, including the 21-step selling system is second to none and the same methodical approach is applied to building business in each territory. After a tough year, I’m now really excited to be joining Meyers working back in an area of Somerset I know and love

Mark Meyer, principal, Meyers Estate Agents continues: “Having personally been a leading agent in the Somerset area for a few years at a previous firm, I’m now looking forward to having our own Meyers agent cover the region. We are delighted to welcome Sara and look forward to supporting her on her journey with Meyers.

“We are currently recruiting for franchisees across the UK who are looking for a new and better way to build a sustainable business and hoping to achieve a more sensible work-life balance at the same time. We are looking for people-people with strong local links within their communities and those that want to put customers and their local relationships at the heart of everything they do.”

Building projects stumped by lack of supplies and price rises

Building materials are running short in the UK, leaving DIY projects in doubt and building companies under pressure. The Construction Leadership Council has warned that cement, some electrical components, timber, steel and paints are all in short supply. It blamed "unprecedented levels of demand" that are set to continue.

The Federation of Master Builders said in a online statement that some building firms may have to delay projects and others could be forced to close as a result.

"Small, local builders are being hit hardest by material shortages and price rises," said chief executive Brian Berry in a online statement. "We can't build our way to recovery from the pandemic if we don't have the materials." Allen Harpley, one of the partners of A and L Builders advised people to delay home improvement projects until autumn 2021.

"The last thing you want is to knock through a wall and then struggle to get hold of a bag of plaster to complete your vision leaving you living in a building site, just when we should be enjoying our new freedoms," he said.

Prices rising

The supply problems stem from a number of factors. Construction industry projects have surged since lockdown began easing which has led to skyrocketing demand for already scarce materials.

There are also issues hitting specific products, such as the warmer winter affecting timber production in Scandinavia while the cold winter weather in Texas affected the production of chemicals, plastics and polymer. In an online statement Noble Francis, economics director of the Construction Products Association. said: "Shipping costs have risen sharply due a shortage of empty containers from Covid-19-related issues and the sharp recovery in global demand," he told the BBC. For instance the cost of shipping a 40ft container from Asia to Northern Europe soared from $1,500 (£1,061) in summer 2020 to more than $8,300 (£5,873) by May 2021, he said.

With demand globally increasing and the UK importing many of its raw materials, lead times for orders are lengthening while prices are shooting up.

‘I got quoted £10,000 for a £5,000 bathroom job’

Jamie Weeks of Worle has been waiting eight months to have his bathroom renovated after a leak.

But with problems getting parts and tradespeople he told us. Jamie now simply can’t afford the rising costs he is being quoted. “It’s a simple job for a small bathroom just 2.5 metres by 2.5 meters. But we have been quoted £10,000 for what used to be less than £5,000.

“To expect to pay between £8,000 and £10,000 for a small bathroom seems too much,” Jamie said.

He’s been struggling since September to get the repairs done.

“We’ve tried B&Q, a couple of other stores, as well as installers and half a dozen fitters.

“Either the cost of the materials has been too high, the cost of labour too high or materials are simply unavailable.”

The Office for National Statistics has projected a rise of 7-8% in material prices, with increases for certain materials, such as timber, expected to more than double during the course of the current year.

‘Unprecedented demand’

“It is really challenging in terms of supplies. It’s nothing that we’ve ever experienced before,” said Leon, co-partner of a local building company.

He said there are two issues: “The first is a shortage of materials in the first place” The second is rising prices: “Commodity prices are going up because there’s such a huge demand for products.”

Booming activity domestically hasn’t helped too, he said. “Lots of people are doing home improvements such as new kitchens and that’s all draining the materials that are available.” Brexit has also affected the UK’s timber supply as 80% of softwood comes from Europe. Steel is also in short supply, as global demand exceeds supply. Many steel manufacturers have stopped taking orders, as they are worried that panic buying will result in extremely low stock.

The shipping costs issue is likely to subside in the next three to six months but global demand is likely to remain high for the next six to nine months.

Small builders can’t stockpile or plan jobs far in advance, unlike larger firms, so they need to be assured that the materials will be at the merchants when they need them.

“Consumers must be aware that shortages are causing delays to projects, and that costs may change in the months ahead because of this pressure” But with higher material prices for the moment, many homeowners and builders are choosing to delay work until the necessary resources become more affordable.

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