Project Overview
Bassetlaw District Council required significant refurbishment for some sheltered accommodation at Westmoreland House, the project required various areas of improvement such as:
- Demolition and new-build of communal areas
- Re-roofing
- External wall insulation
- External cladding
- External windows, doors, balconies
- Full M&E replacement/upgrade
- Extensive internal refurbishment and reconfiguration of the existing layout to provide 33nr apartments
- External works
The Challenge
The challenge was to undertake a thorough assessment of the main contractor’s costs to ascertain the contract sum and subsequently undertake a value-for-money exercise on this whilst also providing on-going cost management services for the remainder of the construction programme.
The Solution
Make requested and reviewed the cost substantiation from the main contractor to help facilitate phase 1 of the appointment. This assessment required measurements of various elements to be completed to establish quantities and rates for the works. Once rates had been established Make compared these against industry data and sought comparative cost information from specialist sub-contractors where required. Whilst undertaking this we also identified areas of savings and worked with the client and main contractor to ensure these were successfully achieved.
With regards phase 2, Make looked to establish a schedule of monthly valuations to ensure all parties adhered to their contractual responsibilities regarding payments etc. The monthly valuations included a site visit alongside the main contractor’s quantity surveyor to ensure all works claimed were fully reviewed and verified prior to certification being issued. Within phase 2, we also provided ongoing assessments of variation costs claimed and advice provided to the Contract Administrator as to the reasonableness of these.
The Outcome
Whilst the project remains on site, Make Consulting’s involvement is deemed a huge success, with savings of circa £500k achieved through the phase 1 value for money exercise. The ongoing cost management has been of equal success with clear valuation timeframes established and regular correspondence maintained with the Contract Administrator regarding variation costs, instructions required etc.
