Renovation of a Georgian House
“Build costs could have gone anywhere. Paying a fixed project management cost meant that the costs didn’t change even when the job hit obstacles along the way. Using CLPM has saved us a six figure sum and given us a home that we’re delighted with.” A Musson, Blewbury
The Project
Little Triton was build in 1800 in the Georgian style. The previous owners including the illustrator and wood engraver Sir William Nicholson (1872 – 1942), had chopped and changed it over the years.
The owners decided that renovation was the way forwards.
We became involved when the clients found that the architect they had sourced was not able to continue. He couldn’t spend the time to flesh out the design vision that he had established with the client.
Our role
We listened to the client’s description of the brief that they had established with the architect and then suggested designer Bart Lacey. We felt this partnership would work up this design sympathetically. As we knew this architect had worked on a similar brief before. Bart and the Mussons got on well from the start. The resulting plans for the extensive remodelling, a double storey extension and new garden room harmonised the building layout whilst increasing the useable space.
We took these plans and produced a budget to check that the proposals fell within any cost constraints. Into the budget we added, through discussion with the clients, provisional sums for finishes, alarms, solar thermal and solar PV and AV works that were not shown on the architects drawings.
Tendering
We then discussed tendering routes with the Mussons. In this instance, we all felt that the extent of renovation would stress the existing building. It would possibly reveal issues that we did not yet know about. This would lead to possible cost escalation through a main contractor. Because there were a number of distinct phases and specialist trades on the projects, we decided to split the job into trade packages eg: ground worker, electrician, plumber, roofer etc. Some of these packages were let on a labour only basis and we had to source and tender the materials separately to the labour content.
We drew up a tender list with the client and then proceeded to obtain quotes for the packages from the chosen tradesmen. We reported these back to the client along with a report as to how the purchasing was going against budget and a recommendation to who to appoint for each operation. The end report showed a 35% saving to budget.
Programme
We also drew up a master programme to get the work on site in the right order. It is also important to monitor overall progress control. Including client sourced trades and materials such as the solar, AV and log burner companies.
As the work progressed on site it became clear that much of the existing structure for the house was not as robust as had been supposed. We organised additional inspections from the engineer. He needed to specify remedial measures. We then got prices from the tradesmen for the revised scape of work, reprogrammed and re-costed the work without ever letting progress on the site stop.
The job
On day to day issues we oversaw quality. Kept the information flow going to the tradesmen so that they could maintain progress. We told the client when finishes and client purchased items were required. Professionally produced bi-weekly cost reports and maintained liaison with Building Control. The client was very keen to be involved at every step. From suggesting names for the tender list through to on site inspections. We always support this.
The project didn’t always go smoothly. But keeping regular, open communications with the client meant that issues were addressed quickly and the end product looks very good indeed!
The end result
“It was a big and complex project. When all we had was a shell left and new issues arising every day, it was reassuring having an unflappable, hands on project manager around.
The programme was handled very professionally. It was quite an education to see how it all worked.
The budgeting was robust. There were no stupid contingencies, neither were there any nasty shocks.” Mr & Mrs Musson, Blewbury
Get in Touch
We hope we’ve found our summary of our role in this building project useful.
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