What a building project should actually look like…?
You will find plenty of posts here that explain the many possible issues, pitfalls, red flags and things that should definitely bother you if you’re working on a building project. Let’s be honest, telling people what they did wrong is kind of my jam 😎 so if everything is always wrong and concerning how about describing what a building project should actually look like…?.
Easier said than done. Mainly because there is no one recipe to ensure the cake is always as good every time you cook it. But let’s try to break the process down so you can understand the key elements and goals of each step.
1. Brief
The brief is a detailed description of the project. The brief will pretty much include everything you want to do, what you want it to look like (even if you can’t visualise it yet), how much money are you comfortable spending on it, how much time are you willing to invest and how involved you will be in the process. The more detailed you can be, the easier it will be to find the right people to implement it.
2. Planning stage
I don’t just mean the permission request. Planning the work. Whether you will employ a builder or have a design & build contractor. Whether you need an architect, interior designer or other consultants. Everything up to and including the stage of where the kitchen will be coming from. Including permissions, applications and other licences required.
3. Tender
This is one of the most important parts in any project. It’s incredibly important because that is usually when clients come to me. If the tender process isn’t done correctly it is quite likely that the whole project will fail. If it’s rushed, you might end up with the wrong builder in place. If it’s not detailed enough you may end up with partial price security. If the due diligence isn’t done, the contractor may go bust in the process.
If you need help tendering a project you can find our offer here 👇
4. Construction
This point is really the longest one in this whole post but at the same time it should be treated with a pinch of salt. There is no one right answer and common sense is usually king when putting a programme of works together. Let’s be honest, laying a wooden floor in an unheated, non-weathertight property that has not been plastered IS possible. But just because you can do something doesn’t mean that you should. Why? The risks of damage are so big that it’s probably not worth it. At the same time taking a risky decision and doing things in a different order may sometimes be needed to meet the planned programme. But if asked about it a Project Manager should always be able to explain why such a decision has been made and what countermeasures are being taken to prevent damage.
The typical order of things would be:
Site set up
Strip out / demolition works
Any foundation / groundworks
Structural works
Building envelope (roofs, windows, elevations)
Internal alterations / levelling
First fix electrics and plumbing
Insulating / plaster boarding / plastering
Finishes (wooden floors, bathroom finishes, polished concrete etc)
Decorating
Second fixing
Fixtures and fittings installations
Final decorations and snagging
It may differ depending on the project, programme, access and other variables but generally installing a kitchen into a house that is yet to have a roof replaced is not recommended.
In terms of any building work you should always use common sense first. If something sounds off, the chances are it is. If you need help planning and managing your project why not send us an email and see how we can help? Alternatively you can join our newsletter for more tips here 👇👇👇