Building project management

It is an ideal solution for clients looking to save time, utilise our years of experience and look out for their best interest at all times, all for a low fee to get the whole job done.

We manage architectural projects of all shapes and sizes, ranging from more detailed commercial developments through to unique home improvements and renovations.

We find that a lot of clients view new building work as daunting and disruptive to their lives.  With our building project management, we help to minimise these concerns through applying an organised system which will ensure all the required processes and targets are achieved.

With these processes being controlled, it becomes simpler to manage a build and delivers the main objectives along with the goals of delivering your final build within the agreed programme and cost.  Without project management and with a lack organisation, your build can easily over run and cause unwanted delays.

• Programme
• Cost
• Payment control
• Build quality
• Ensure required compliances

Our Building Project Management role starts once the project has achieved planning and building regulations approval from the relevant council party such as Sheffield or Doncaster. (Stages 5-7 of the RIBA Plan of Works) We are able to start this role whether your planning / building regulation drawings were completed by ourselves or by another company.

Delivery of the agreed programme cost and quality to the agreed scope of works are vital to a successful project, and we provide the following items which assist in achieving the objectives.

The builder has all the required construction information on the project. As well as supplying the technical drawings, we also include detailed schematic drawing showing light switches, lights, sockets, radiators etc. This helps avoid any guess work on the requirements at the pricing and the building stages.

To ensure the best price at the required quality. We issue the drawings and any further information to a minimum of 3 builders and make sure they have the same information.  They will provide us with their tender prices, and we will review and report back to the client. The client then can make their own decision based on this information.

This ensures you are priced for the exact work required; we will issue the builder with a schedule which describes the agreed scope of works. This will be a list outlining the required works from excavation through to final decoration and includes items such floor finishes, kitchen and bathroom fixtures. We find this schedule allows people to clearly highlight to the builder items they do not want priced as they can do the work themselves or know someone who can provide the works at a more competitive rate. This normally applies to final finished items such a decoration; floor finishes and kitchen supply / install.

To ensure that all the duties and obligations between the client and the builder have been legally recorded, we will complete a building contract which gives both parties legal protection if any of the items are not met throughout the project. We write the contract to include the final costed drawings, schedules, and the builder’s quotation. The contract also covers a payment schedule, builder’s insurance and agreement of working conditions whilst they are on site i.e. starting times, use of client’s water, and other finer details. We host a pre-commencement meeting which includes signing of the contracts by both parties and an introduction to the project ensuring all parties understand their obligations under the contract. We currently use the industry standard JCT suite of contracts.

To ensure the works on site are progressing as per the agreed programme and costs we visit the build each week and report progress back to the client. We use these inspections to ensure the quality and the build details are progressing as per the drawings. Every second week we host a meeting at site, and we invite the builder and client to attend which allows progress to be discussed and any issues which need resolving can be done. Following each site visit we produce a report on the project which includes checkpoints such as review against programme, report of build variations which may have cost implications and report on all statutory issues. Our site visits are arranged to ensure the builder has constant discussions with ourselves which ensures the works are built as per the signed-off drawings ensuring the client’s expectations are met.

The complete building project management role is ensuring your property is handed back to you and is ready for use. To ensure the build is complete, we coordinate the handover process checking all the statutory requirements have been fulfilled and signed-off, check receipt of all required test certificates, inspect the build to make sure it is as per the drawings and specifications, and, if not, issue a snagging list which identify the items be rectified. As part of the contractual process we set up a defects period to follow the handover. This allows the final stage payment to the builder to be made 3 months after the build is complete (default 3 months in the JCT Home Owner Contract) and is not paid until all defects during this period are rectified and signed off.

Project Management can bring many benefits to your build which include saving you time, stress and money. We can achieve this as we bring to the project:

• Our expertise and experience
• Become a single point of contact for the build.
• Improve the efficiency of the project
• Ensure good communication throughout the project
• Control costs, programme and quality.

Our fee for project management is based upon time during the project but as guidance it is approximately 5% of the build cost.

In our calls, you’ll chat with a friendly member of our design team. We’ll cover everything about your project, like the project brief, budget, design limitations, and advice on planning and building regulations, and much more.