One question we were asked more than once at the recent Self-Build and Renovation show was why don’t we offer design and construction alongside project management as an all in one service?
We strongly believe in the values of independence and accountability but also of flexibility and excellence. We believe that it is better to be good at one thing rather than to try to be master of all.
On specifics – for the architectural side of the question – clients come to us generally at three points in the process.
1) At the “We are thinking of doing something like ….. Can you help?” stage
These people often need assistance from an architect or designer but by coming to us first they are able to get advice on questions to have to hand when interviewing designers and are particularly primed to consider the cost part of the project as well as the aesthetic.
Because they know that we are not tied in to our own in-house design they know they will get unbiased advice and still be able to command a one stop service if they want as we are happy to assist in pre-site project management as well as on-site. If they want assistance finding a designer, then we will be happy to listen to their preferences and suggest an architect or two who we think would be well suited to their way of thinking; on the other hand, if they want to bring their own architect to the table then there is no conflict with us as we have no in-house design capability and expect to work with others.
2) Those who have a design and want to realise it stage
The second point of entry for us tends to be clients who already have a design and want help realizing it. Our Cost Management division will price the tendering and cost control functions whilst our PM division will price for the on-site control aspects of the project. Once again our lack of in-house design is actually a strength as it means that the existing design is reviewed with fresh unbiased eyes, trying to anticipate builder’s questions and needs before they become variations on site. Our focus on delivery means we can concentrate on finding the best solution to the construction puzzle without any fear of negotiations being carried out between interested parties. Again we expect to go looking for design information so we are expecting and are well used to working in teams to obtain and deliver results.
3) We’re in difficulty and need advice and/or help stage
The third entry point is a project that is in difficulties and here our independence again is vital. Because we expect to appraise a design at some stage on every project we are well placed to evaluate the design information provided on a problem project to see if it is the cause of the problems. On the other hand our independence from builders again means that we are well used to evaluating their performance objectively and can make equivalent judgements about the on -site operations as we do about the design information.
On the design front then we offer a client the opportunity to work with their preferred designer whilst giving them the reassurance that the overall project is being managed and that their interests are being looked after.
On the builder front we feel that independent cost checking is vital. We are the independent consultant working directly for the client making sure that the parties to the contract behave themselves. Construction projects are complicated and things happen during the life of a project. Without someone independent either party to the project can look to exert undue influence or simply to just get worried about what the other party is up to. We are there to provide that reassurance and with our wealth of experience, to keep things moving forward. We do not think this has to be a very expensive service as the bulk of the work is being done by others.
If we took the building work in-house the clarity of how things are priced and for whose benefit disappears. Interestingly many builders we work with like having us on the project as it gives them reassurance that there is some independence on a project. The definition of what makes a successful project can be different for the builder and for the client. As an independent we can navigate the contract ship through the treacherous waters of the building project avoiding both the Scylla of client non-payment and the Charybdis of builder profiteering.
Given these issues and benefits we can’t see any need to give up our independence. We hope you agree.
