New Build That Stood Still For Six Months!
This particular project had been stalled for six months when CLPM got involved.
Our clients were at their witts end.
“We appreciated the fact that CLPM immediately sought to understand the bigger picture. Including our personal circumstances and what we wanted to get out of it at the end.” Says the client.
“CLPM were flexible and could pull together the various trades already employed. They introduced new ones who could seamlessly form part of the team. We didn’t want someone who would come and dictate to us. But someone who would coordinate all the interested parties, including our family, with care and diplomacy.”
The client wanted to build new on top of an original old bungalow plot.
“We had bought an old bungalow on the original plot. Having explored ideas for remodelling or extending, we decided it would be more economic to start afresh with a new build.”
Timber frame appealed to us because of the efficiency of the build process (main structure being constructed off-site). Along with the availability of existing timber-frame plans on which we could base our designs.
Our clients thoughts on procurement!
“We explored various timber-frame building options. We were introduced to an architectural designer who customised an existing timber-frame house design and incorporated many of the features we were looking for. Including some unusual design elements, such as a run of velux windows that flood light into our hallway that is open from the floor up to the roof. He also liaised with the planning authorities and recommended a builder. Unfortunately, only a few weeks after the ground work phase had started, everything halted when the builder had cashflow issues.”
We at CLPM experience many issues clients face with their build team. We have a series of blogs with some advice on how to resolve your differences.
Timber Frame
“We were anxious to keep momentum in the project. The timber frame had been manufactured, but we had no-one to take on the building works. Let alone the project management of it. As we were expecting our first baby at the time, we just wanted an easy route to getting our house built. We wanted the support of a project manager, someone to manage the trades. Someone who could be onsite when they needed to be, but without having to pay too much for the experience.”
CLPM went out to tender to a series of tradesmen.
“In the main, tradesmen were recommended by CLPM with two or three companies quoting for each aspect of the building and fitting out. We relied on CLPM to help us understand the specs. This way we could make comparisons between the various companies quoting. We were given a budget breakdown at each stage so we knew what our costs were likely to be. It also showed how that fitted into the overall costing of the project.”
CLPM also programmed the workflow to make sure trades were on site at the right time.
“There were a couple of lag phases where the availability of bricklayers and the weather meant we couldn’t progress with the externals. Our house sat through the winter with its weatherproof cover waiting to emerge but CLPM made sure as much critical path internal work was happening such as the internal partitions, electrics, plumbing and plastering.”
CLPM visited site regularly to check on the quality of the work and that the frame was going to fit on the foundations.
“When our little girl was born, we just stepped away from the project to concentrate on other things, CLPM continued with visits to site and we received updates on progress.”
Testimonial
“It was reassuring, with CLPM, to feel that finally we had someone who could work on our project and understand what we wanted and our personal circumstances. For us it was a successful project despite the early setbacks and we are now living in and enjoying our home.”
If you find any similarities to your situation, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Call us now on 01923 896550 or mail us at info@cl-pm.com
