If you live in SW London, where space is at a premium, a basement extension is probably one of the most cost effective ways of extending your home.
THE PROJECT
Our clients had purchased this characterful, but tired Edwardian house with the aim of extending and updating it. Working with both their Architect and Interior Designer, they came up with a scheme which made the best use of the space available as well as creating a large new basement.
The house was to undergo a full but sensitive refurbishment including re-wiring, new plumbing as well as new flooring, kitchen, and bathrooms. Additions included a walk-in dressing room with an en-suite for the master bedroom, a wine cellar in the floor of the kitchen and a cinema room in the basement. Outside the garden was to be redesigned and imaginatively landscaped.
THE CHALLENGE
With busy careers as well as young children, our clients were very short of time to organise their building project. They needed a project manager to coordinate the two designers and the build team to ensure the project went smoothly. A project of this size is very costly and so they also wanted us to help protect their financial interests.
THE SOLUTION
When carrying out a large, complex building project it is very important to appoint the right build team. We helped our clients to find and appoint their contractor by organising the tender on their behalf. This involves preparing and issuing the tender packs and then dealing with any queries before analysing the returns. This meant that the builders were thoroughly briefed from the outset and that the tender returns were both complete and competitive. Our QS team then helped our clients select and appoint their builder and then we project managed the construction works by acting as Contract Administrator. Throughout the construction works we also helped the clients monitor their budget by monthly cost reporting.
THE RESULT
The house has retained it’s original feel but is now a beautiful, modern family home.
CLPM Services used by our client:-
Tender Management and Analysis, Builder Appointment and Contracts, Contract Administration with Monthly Cost Reporting.
Basement extensions may be popular, especially in the capital, but they are not without risk. The best basement extensions create valuable extra living spaces. The worst can be damp, dark and cause endless headaches for their owners. If you are considering digging out a basement it is critical that you start off by getting both an experienced architect and a structural engineer on board, and then get an experienced independent project manager to oversee the building works.