It’s not always easy to choose a reliable contractor that specialises in design and build in London simply because there are so many of them, so it’s good to know what to look out for when doing your research.
If you are thinking of hiring a Design and Build company in London to do some work for you, then you should be looking to get the job done right the first time. Both the design phase and the construction phase are equally important. There are a lot of different companies out there that will claim to be the best, but how do you know if you are getting the best price for the best service? You need to check out their references, their pricing, their ability to complete a full job and finish on time, their ability to make changes to the design without affecting your project, and more.
In this article, we’ll talk about the three things that you should look for in a design and build partner.
Design And Build – What Does A Project Entail?
The first step of any design project is to sit down and figure out what the project will entail. It’s important to understand the scope of what you’re going to build and the time frame. Do you have a rough idea of how long your project is going to take? Are the deadlines achievable? What are you trying to accomplish? What are the build companies including in their price? These questions can help you develop a project plan and define a timeline. Bear in mind that the design team and the build team are quite different in their approach. The design team build out the planning stage, whereas the build team put that plan into action. The key to a perfect design and build project is to get the two sides working in harmony. This role is usually taken onboard by a dedicated project manager, something the company you choose will supply.
What Do Design & Build Contracts Look Like?
It’s traditional in the construction industry for design and build projects to have three parts. The first is a commitment to deliver the product or service. The second is the set of deliverables, and the third is the payment schedule.
Design and Build Contracts are written documents with lots of legalese to make sure everyone knows what they’re agreeing to, and they both have a “sign here” part where the company’s lawyers or directors sign to certify that they have all the necessary plans in place to perform the contract.
It’s important to have a contract in place with your contractor to ensure the building project is sound and each company knows their responsibilities especially if the design company is using a separate build company.
Get A Feel For Them – Follow Their Build Projects On Social Media
Before you take the plunge with selecting a contractor, first have the build company work for you a little, well in a virtual sense. Their social media channels are a good measure of what level of work they have taken on in the past, you can see information about our previous projects and review on our Google My Business page. You may also see reviews by ex-customers and news of current projects that you may be able to visit in any case. Seeing their work minimises your risk of taking on an inexperienced contractor.
Building A Rapport With Your Build Project Team
Whether you’re designing a new office interior, a new home or want to build a brand new building, creating a rapport with your design and build team can help you avoid frustration and make the process less stressful. Start by letting them know what you’re looking for from them and how they can help you achieve those goals. Show them respect and take them seriously. Make sure you keep them involved in the process. Make yourself available, in person. It makes a difference. And be open, let your design teams build a rapport with you too.
The Design Phase
When choosing a design and build contractor they should display the ability to work through a plan and this is an example of what they should be proposing.
There are four important phases of any project, and each must be completed before the next phase can start. The first phase is known as the construction design phase because this is where the design for the building comes into play. This is the first step in the project and it is vital this is done well. If the design isn’t thought through properly at this point, then you won’t have a solid base to build on. This is the phase where the architect must understand exactly what the client wants.
The second phase is the feasibility study. This is where you check to see if the project is really feasible. It is important that you understand the feasibility of the project because it is important that you know the project will work before you start the procurement process for construction. If the feasibility study doesn’t show that the project will be successful, then you should not continue with the project.
The Construction Phase
Before a building is constructed the construction must be planned out. This is phase 3, the design planning stage. It does what it says on the tin. It’s where the materials are sourced and the timeline is planned out. This avoids problems like a trades person being on the site without any materials, which is one of the main reasons that construction projects in the UK go over budget.
Phase 4 is the actual construction of the building. If the first three phases have been planned properly then this should go without a hitch. The construction manager should be the glue that holds everything together and they should be ensuring that the plans that were created during the previous phases are being adhered to.
How to Choose the Right Design And Construction Partner
If you want to choose a design and build company in London that will truly deliver results for your business, be sure to do the research. A great place to start is with the recommendations of businesses that have already used their services. Call them up and ask them directly what their experience was. Be sure to evaluate these recommendations based on experience and quality of work. Why not get in touch with us for an estimate on your home, or business project.
