Design & Build London

DESIGN & BUILD LONDON

Design and Build is a form of contract characterised by the single point of responsibility. From the Client’s perspective London Design and Build can be beneficial due to several points:

The process significantly limits common risks as responsibility is directed to one principal contractor
Design and Build London package reduces the time of the building or refurbishment project due to the several factors, for example:
- Independent processes may overlap
- No separate tendering processes for each stage of the project
- Efficient planning and execution
London Design and Build package allows for engineering knowledge to be implemented to the building plans from the start
The process reduces costs of the project by:
- More efficient planning and execution
- Use best value for money solutions and materials from planning to execution
- Eliminates risks of design errors
Less time-consuming for the Client

BUILDING COMPANY LONDON

Design & Build service can be beneficial for all types of larger projects: basement conversions, kitchen extensions, house refurbishments, loft conversions, office fit out projects, restaurant refurbishments and retail fit out projects. If run by us, London Building Company, the Design and Build package is contractor-led. We will offer following options:

You work directly with us whereas architectural services are provided in a form of subcontracting. This is suitable for less complicated projects, where an architect’s input is not necessary after obtaining planning consent and following details can be agreed between us and the Client. During building stage our qualified project manager takes over the control of the project and we manage design elements in house.
Architectural services are provided as a joint venture with us, London Building Company and an Architect works along us during the entire length of the project to coordinate the process. The architect has got the same control and risk in project delivery as during the standard building project. At the same time the project is more efficiently managed due to constant cooperation between us and the architect.

LONDON DESIGN & BUILD PROCESS

Below, please find a diagram describing in short our London Design and Build process. The stages may vary in length, complexity and consist of various sub-tasks but this should give you idea of how we work.

ESTIMATE & QUOTATION

1

Initial Meeting

We arrange a meeting with you and our estimator during which we gather general information about:
- The premises and the building
- Your ideas about the project
- The type of service you are looking for
- Your budget for the project
2

Planning Drawings Quote & Construction Stage Estimate

On the basis of the initial meeting we prepare for you two valuations:
- An itemized Quotation for Planning and Design Process
- An estimate for the construction phase of the project
The aim is to give you a sufficient knowledge of predicted costs for budgetary purposes.
3

Your Decision

We hope that at this stage you should have enough information to access viability of the project and to decide weather you would like to use our service. By approving our Quotation for Planning and Design Process only you are not contracting to us building works without knowing accurate costs. We give you freedom to decide after we present more accurate quotation on later stage.

PLANNING CONSENT & CONTRACT

4

Design Meeting(s)

This is the time to meet with an architect to discuss the project. The main aim of this process is to gather enough information to prepare planning drawings. Along with planning drawings the architect may collect additional, more detailed information for concept construction drawings.
5

Planning Drawings & Planning Application

On the basis of the design meeting and following consultations the architect prepares a set of drawings and documents to fulfill the needs of planning application. The set of drawings and documentation may significantly vary from one project to another and from one local authority to another.
6

Planning Consent & Discharging Conditions

Planning approval is significant step forward but from time to time Local Authority Officer gives consent with additional conditions to meet. Some of them are indicative rules to follow during building stage but some conditions need to be discharged before building works can start.
7

Quotation For Construction Stage

On the basis of the drawings, documentation and information gathered so far we provide accurate quotation. Our quotations are itemised but written in language understandable for everyone. The quotation is written at the way that any variations are easily manageable. We do our best to specify and quote for all works required.
8

Contract

Shortly after you approve our quotation, we prepare following documents:
- Top line timeline
- Payment terms
- Contract
If you are happy with all above, we both sign up a contract to proceed with further works.

PRE-CONSTRUCTION STAGE

9

Structural Drawings & Calculations

Any changes to the structural envelope of the building requires additional drawings and structural calculations. At this stage we will consult the proposed changes with the structural engineer and provide structural package. This may be required for Party Wall Agreement or Freeholder Consent for leasehold properties.
10

Party Wall Agreement(s)

The process may take from one week up to three months. Starting it at the right time is crucial to the schedule of the project. We aim to start this process as early as possible.
11

Freeholder Approval For Leasehold Properties

If you own leasehold property, most likely you'll need to obtain a consent from your freeholder before carrying out any renovations. Freeholders may request some documents to give you a consent. The requirements may vary from one property to another but generally consists of:
- Risk Assessments and Method Statements
- Construction Phase Plan
- Contractor Liability Insurance
- Building Control Approval
- Structural Report for any changes to the layout
Upon your request, we are more than happy to prepare all documents for you and help you to go through the process smoothly.
12

Dedicated Project Manager

At this stage we introduce you to our project manager who, from now on, will be your first line of contact.
13

Project Documentation

For all projects we prepare following documents:
- Project plan
- Project Documentation
- Itemized Schedule of works
- Management spreadsheet for day to day communication
14

Construction Drawings & Project Documentation

For complex projects in most cases the architect works with us. At this stage we both prepare more accurate set of documents before starting works on site. The pack may vary from one project to another but generally includes:
- Architectural construction drawings
- Construction structural drawings and calculations
- Interior Designer drawings
- Revision from Building Control Inspector and approval letter
- Gantt Project Plan
- Itemized Schedule of works
Management spreadsheet for day to day communication

CONSTRUCTION STAGE

15

Start Meeting

Just before or during the first days of work on site we schedule a meeting for final arrangements:
- To introduce to you our site manager / foreman and site team
- To schedule regular meetings
- To agree forms of communication between you and all parties involved
- To inform us which and if any appliance or fittings you would like to keep
16

Health & Safety

In accordance with Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) as a principal contractor we are obligated to prepare Health & Safety file and to keep it up to date through the entire project. For more complex projects there may be Health & Safety Coordinator as the Client’s representative. Otherwise we, as a principal contractor, take over this role.
17

Interior Design

For projects including interior design service, the interior designer will work along you and us to provide the drawings for any required details, starting from kitchens through bathrooms and finishing on custom made furniture.
18

Technical Drawings & Documentation

During the building works we work on additional technical specification and drawings for our site building team. These may include:
- Ground works
- Gas and plumbing
- Windows and glazing
- Glass Balustrades
- Electrical, AV, Entry System
- Emergency Lighting Design
- RWP Surface Gutters and Downpipes
- Stair and staircases
19

Management

The person responsible for day to day activities is Site Manager / Foreman. Additionally, every our project is run by an experienced Project Manager. Some of Project Manager responsibilities are:
- Liaison with all involved parties including: the Client, Principal Designer, Building Control, Structural Engineer, CDM Coordinator, Freeholder, etc
- Technical Design Aspect (Covered elsewhere)
- Arrange and run weekly site meetings
- Weekly plans and plan execution
- Dealing with all variations to the scope of works
Furthermore, for more complex projects it is advised for an architect or designer to take a role of project coordinator. This is to take a burden of decision making from your shoulders.
20

The Build

During the building stage works will be professionally managed by experienced and qualified site manager or foreman. Most of not all of our staff is directly employed by us and we pay enormous attention to employ right people, people who care, starting from steel installers finishing on painters and decorators.

COMPLETION

21

Practical Completion

We arrange completion meeting with Building Control Inspector and obtain a final letter of compliance. Our building team finishes all works on site and the property is ready to be hand over to you.
22

Guarantees

For all works we provide Guarantee Certificates: twelve months guarantee for all works and up to ten years guarantee for selected elements. We also activate for you all guarantees for any appliance and equipment which was supplied and installed by us.
23

Handover & Snagging Meeting(s)

Before the handover meeting we prepare a folder with manuals, guarantees and any other related documents. During the meeting not only we pass and explain all these documents to you but also we run through the set up and instructions of all all equipment: thermostats, boiler, smart electrical fittings, AV, appliance and anything that requires your attention. Lastly, we go with you through all the little things we may have missed before practical completion and form a snagging list.
24

Snagging

We aim to resolve any outstanding issues as soon as possible and in time convenient to you. We run a specialist handyman team to deal with any problems in smoothly manner.
25

Aftercare

We make sure you don’t miss any maintenance visits which can lead to invalidating guarantees. We will send you a reminder for all necessary services and, if requested, we will arrange our maintenance team where needed.

SUCCESSFUL PROJECT