OUR PROCESS
PRE-CONSTRUCTION
The pre-construction phase is one of the most important stages of any build, but we find that it’s often overlooked. There are many consultants involved in a project for example, Architect, Structural Engineer, M&E Consultant, Party Wall Surveyor, Building Control and co-ordinating their information at the correct stages can be overwhelming. We work to ensure integration between all the consultants during the pre-construction phase ensuing there is no conflicting information that can lead to costly problems on site. This will deliver an efficient, well-coordinated project that stays on schedule and within budget. Working with a building project manager to oversee the pre-construction stages will ensure this happens, taking away the uncertainty and stress.
As your trusted building consultant, we work closely with you to plan, cost and organise every element before construction begins, offering clarity, confidence and peace of mind. This involves liaising with consultants, local authorities, contractors and suppliers to ensure all essential information and decisions are communicated clearly. Our focus is to deliver design information on time and to the highest standard, ready for both tendering and construction.
With years of experience in building project management, we have developed a robust Schedule of Works service tailored to your project. This document brings together all information shown on the drawings and serves as the ‘backbone’ of the project. It sets out the scope of work and expectations for the contractor to follow and, importantly, for them to price against. Once this document is ready, we will recommend trusted contractors to tender for the job and support you through price negotiations, refining the scope, exploring value-engineering opportunities and selecting the contractor best suited to deliver your project successfully.
Pre-Construction Services
- Cost plans, feasibility studies and value engineering.
- Project scope definition and budget planning.
- Coordination of consultants (M&E, Renewables, Architect, Engineer) to ensure drawing packages are aligned and meet requirements.
- Creation of detailed schedule of works documents .
- Introduction of suitably qualified contractors to tender on your project.
- Competitive tender process and analysis.
- Price negotiating and value engineering.
- JCT contract administration with protective clauses (e.g., liquidated damages).
CONSTRUCTION
Once construction begins, our building project management and contract administration service provides thorough oversight from start to finish. We assist with drafting the JCT contract between you and your chosen contractor, ensuring clarity and protection for all parties involved. Acting as the main point of contact throughout the build, we carry out regular site visits to check progress, verify compliance with design intent and specifications, and assess workmanship and materials against the required standards. The Schedule of Works remains a vital tool during this stage, serving as a live reference for monitoring progress and verifying payment claims to prevent overpayment and maintain financial control. At completion, we prepare a detailed snagging report for the contractor to address and provide all final documentation and warranties, ensuring a smooth handover and confidence in the finished result.
Construction Services
During the build we offer the following services:
- JCT contract preparation and signing, including builder’s project programme, builder insurance, advice on client insurance responsibilities, document schedule preparation, agreement on contract sum, setting liquidated damages, retention sum, and defect period.
- Weekly site visits with the client and builder to monitor progress and project programme.
- Independent advice and support to the builder and client to ensure a smooth build process.
- Complete inspections to ensure construction methods and materials meet the architect’s and engineer’s drawings.
- Manage Building Control inspections and compliance.
- Anticipate challenges and problem-solving solutions.
- Document control to ensure trades use the correct drawings.
- Monitoring of quality and workmanship during the build.
- Transparent cost control with real-time project cost tracking.
- Financial risk mitigation.
- Controlling any variations that may occur during the build. We also ensure these costs are fair.
- Valuations and builder payments. All valuations are processed by Minniedale Projects and are based on project progress which is monitored against the Schedule of Works. This ensures the client is only paying for what has been completed and materials that are on site. A 5% retention is held back against each valuation payment, half of which is settled once the builder reaches practical completion. The balance is then paid after a 6 month defects period.
COMPLETION AND SIGN OFF
As your project progresses into the final stage, our focus shifts to ensuring every detail is finished to the highest standard and that the transition from construction to occupation is seamless. The final stages of any build are extremely important. This is where everything comes together.
Completion Services
- Management of the snagging lists and defect control.
- Arrangement of the appropriate certificates and sign off from Building Control.
- Project completion documentation and handover (Building Control, warranty provider certificates and build warranties).
- Final account. This involves the release of any retention funds once the project is deemed to have reached practical completion.
- Post-completion reviews, aftercare and defect period.