Project details
Project Value: £0.65m
Contract: JCT Intermediate Building Contract
Role: Cost Consultant and Employers Agent
Description
Conversion of existing retail and office premises into student accommodation at 4 Greengate Street, Stafford.
Function of the Building
The facility provides the conversion of a brick and stone construction ground floor retail unit with offices and living accommodation above into 8 spacious student apartments on the First to Third Floor inclusive and Communal Facilities and Main Entrance on the Ground Floor. The scheme is complete with all services, drainage and minor external works in the total value of circa £0.65 million.
Nature of Involvement
TCQ were appointed to provide traditional Quantity Surveying services on behalf of the Client at both Pre Contract and Post Contract Stages. This included feasibility studies and cost plans, pre-tender estimate, preparation and issuing of tender documents, tender appraisals and value engineering, contractor negotiations and reconciliation of cost budgets, preparation and issuing of contracts, cost reporting and agreement of variations, monthly valuations and preparation and completion of the Final Account.
TCQ were also appointed to carry out Post Contract Employer’s Agent duties which involved chairing post-contract meetings complete with minutes, monthly Client updates as to progress and overall cost position.
Party wall issues were discovered during the contract negotiations and TCQ also assisted with the documentation and resolution of these issues.
TCQ also managed and compiled all snagging schedules, facilitating a site walkaround at Practical Completion, issuing the Practical Completion Certificate, managing Making Good Defects and issuing the End of Defects Certificate.
The works were to be carried out under a standard JCT Intermediate Building Contract.
Project Performance
The project was funded by a private developer who, although required the apartments to be of a high standard tasked TCQ with ensuring that the costs kept to a tight a level as achievable in order that his profitability and return was not diminished. As there were a lot of unknown factors in the scheme until areas could be opened up and inspected once works commenced on-site, this proved to be a great challenge, but all obstacles were overcome to the satisfaction of all parties.
Due to several issues with the existing building structure encountered after works had commenced on site, together with party wall issues both delays to the programme and additional costs were encountered which were all resolved in a timely manner and discussions and negotiations with the appointed contractor meant that the costs were kept within a tight budget as set by the Client.
Due to the spirit of everyone working together and cooperating the project was bought to a successful conclusion and benefit of all parties.