Lead Consultant

As Lead Consultant we lead and co-ordinate project teams, manage the client's brief, monitor the project's progress, liaise with lawyers, external agencies and third parties, and advise clients on all matters relating to project delivery.

We maintain oversight on project on-costs and manage consultant appointments during the the pre-construction phase.

We compile and manage the pre-construction programme and coordinate the team's delivery of the client's brief within the working programme.

We provide a point of continuity for the project from land search and acquisition, planning, procurement, construction and into occupation.

Development Monitoring

We undertake the due diligence that our investment clients need when funding development projects and similarly for tenants acquiring a property under construction. Where not in direct control of the development our clients will be taking interests in the property created, so we provide the monitoring of their technical, quality and commercial interests as required.

We also undertake monitoring surveyor role for the above development-centric projects as well as for monitoring compliance by tenants with licences to alter and such like on behalf of landlords. If it involves a contract, we can provide the oversight.

We provide pre-contract/pre-construction audit reports, ongoing compliance site monitoring reports and close-out reviews according to the requirements of the undertaking.

Contract Administration

Sooner or later a project will need a constructor, engaged by way of a build contract. We provide the roles of Employer's Agent, Contract Administrator, Client Representative in such contracts, for the purposes of the proper execution of the works, compliance with the design requirements and ensuring the contractor delivers on their obligations.

In addition we are often appointed to undertake an additional site inspection role, with the specific task of regularly monitoring the construction operations for compliance with relevant specifications, quality of workmanship and final inspections. Clients tell us that this reporting role is valuable and re-assuring to them; knowing they are in safe hands and we are looking out for their interests.

Site Appraisals

We undertake design and technical site appraisals for clients considering property for development. We will assess the site's suitability for the proposed scheme and advise on the risks and considerations to be addressed.

This may be undertaken as a standalone feasibiliy study or be part of a wider strategic exercise when site finding or preparing options appraisals.

Invariably a feasibility or concept design needs testing against real world constraints before potentially unnecessary resource is spent in developing an unworkable solution. Our extensive real-world experience helps manage this risk

For clients inexperienced in development or for estate-like clients, we can augment our project management function with additional assistance concerning development appraisal, viability, capital programmes and strategies.

Technical Advice & Due Diligence

Given our extensive experience as technical practitioners, we provide technical and due diligence advice on most topics likely to be encountered in the development process. This can be on a one-off isolated basis but is usually carried out as part of a wider commission providing other project services.

There is an ever-increasing compliance burden placed on projects long before a spade is put in the ground. This includes planning matters, building regulations, property and construction legal issues, access and utilities, CDM and now Building Safety Act considerations. All of which must be reviewed, addressed and the risks managed from the outset of a project to minimise delay and expense.

Our standing advice to clients is to bring us in early in order that we can shape and inform the early strategic project decisions.

Planning & Listed Buildings

Being Chartered Architects we are very experienced in managing the planning process, liaising with local authorities, making/managing applications and planning agreements (s106 & CIL) and dealing with the discharge of conditions.

Having worked on a large number of historic, listed buildings and conservation-led projects, we are well versed in the sensitive issues surrounding managing a project where such considerations are paramount. We are pleased to have a great record of success in listed building applications and can assist design teams in this process.