Older property renovations are complex. Investing time and investing in specialist advice in the pre-construction phase will not only get a better result, but you'll save money too.
THE PROJECT
The eco renovation of period properties is a growing area of our business and across the UK as a whole.
The Oxfordshire-based new owners of this attractive red brick 17th century country house were very keen to not only bring the property back to its former glory, but also to integrate where possible some 21st century know-how into the project.
THE CHALLENGE
Our client’s plan was to ensure that the building structure and technology were made as sustainable and energy efficient as practically possible. Projects of this nature are complex, and can easily run into difficulties and so our client chose to involve the whole CLPM team to ensure the project would be well thought-through and tightly coordinated.
THE SOLUTION
CLPM worked very closely with our client and his architect and was involved from the initial design stages. Our Quantity Surveying team gave cost advice, and there was a great deal of specialist input from our energy consultancy and project management teams.
The first step involved our energy efficiency expert working together with the architect to carry out a full sustainability review and energy audit on the property. This led to recommendations and targets for energy performance and our experts then worked together specifying the materials, construction methodology and infrastructure to fully maximise the energy efficiency performance of the building. The cost team then prepared detailed estimates for the renovation works, before tendering the works to a main contractor plus a variety of different specialist tradespeople. Once the build team was appointed, one of our project managers managed the building works onsite.
The sensitive eco renovation involved re-roofing the property with handmade clay tiles, insulating between the rafters using 2 separate layers of sheep’s wool and woodchip before converting the loft space to create 4 new bedrooms with 2 bathrooms. The whole house was re-wired, re-plumbed and a new biomass boiler was installed to run the updated heating system.
Traditional methods were used to renovate the elm floorboards, wattle and daub panels and wooden window shutters, as well as finishing the walls with lime plastering and specialist breathable paints. Outside a new patio was laid, the old well was re-commissioned to provide water to the property and a green roof was added to the new car porch.
THE RESULT
While the project was extremely complex to set up and then manage onsite, our client very wisely chose to have a high level of organisational support both in the initial planning stages and while onsite. This meant that the build went smoothly and the costs were controlled as tightly as possible. The result is a beautiful period home with the comfort and low running costs of a modern build – very definitely the best of both worlds!
CLPM Services used by our client:-
Pre-construction advice including a Sustainability Review, Design Review, Cost Estimating and Budgeting, and Procurement Route Advice. Also Tender Management and Analysis, Builder Appointment and Contracts, Monthly Cost Reporting, and Contract Administration of main contractor then Project Management using individual trades..
Having a full sustainability review from the outset meant we could integrate the proposals into our design plans with the architect right at the beginning of the process. It was also invaluable to have the Tony’s technical advice throughout the project.
It was also very reassuring to have our project manager by our side, overseeing the building works and helping us check all the invoices.
Mrs L, Oxfordshire