Why Use beacon?
With many years of experience our project managers and surveyors are able to provide our clients with individual and impartial advice throughout, ensuring projects are realised on time and within budget.
Our staff engage in a rigorous program of continuous professional development which ensures they have up to date knowledge of regulations, to accurately advise clients of their responsibilities. We remain current on existing and new technologies and materials. Therefore clients can be confident that they will be given the most appropriate suggestions for their individual requirements.
Building a transparent trusting relationship with our clients is vital and at Beacon this is given high priority. We ensure Clients expectations are met and we hold regular progress meetings. Our core services are regularly assessed and we encourage our clients to give us feedback at every opportunity.
Get in touch
For more information or to discuss your project send us a message or call
01442 823032
TEN KEY STEPS TO CREATING YOUR PERFECT HOUSE
Your project manager should be the first person you call and the last person to leave the site.
If you are considering a home renovation or rebuild project you may feel daunted by what lies ahead. At Beacon, we manage projects like yours all the time. With our experience, we know what to anticipate, where to find the best builders for the job and how to make sure everything runs smoothly and efficiently. So let us do the hard work and you can look forward to moving in to your perfect home, on time and on budget.
To find out how we can help you please download a copy of our Ten key steps to creating your perfect house or read on.
Typically, a project will go something like this…
1. Creating your perfect house: getting started
You’ve found a house with great potential, but it needs a lot of work to make it just right for you. Where do you start?
Whether you want to build an extension, modernise and refurbish, or demolish an existing property and build a new one from scratch, we’ll help you ask all the right questions before you start. For example, will you need planning permission or listed building consent? Is the building in a conservation area? Do you want to integrate hi-tech or sustainable technologies into the design?
TIP we’ll help you find out what needs to be done now, such as surveys and statutory enquiries, so you don’t get any nasty surprises later.
2. Putting your ideas into practice
You’ve found a house with great potential, but it needs a lot of work to make it just right for you. Where do you start?
Whether you want to build an extension, modernise and refurbish, or demolish an existing property and build a new one from scratch, we’ll help you ask all the right questions before you start. For example, will you need planning permission or listed building consent? Is the building in a conservation area? Do you want to integrate hi-tech or sustainable technologies into the design?
TIP we’ll help you find out what needs to be done now, such as surveys and statutory enquiries, so you don’t get any nasty surprises later.
3. Choosing the right team
You’re ready to take your ideas further, but how do you choose the right people to work on your project?
We know a lot of consultants, architects and designers and will find the ones with the right experience, skills and fee structure for your project. We’ll arrange for you to meet them, brief them on what you want and ask for a proposal.
TIP we’ll make sure you get value for money by negotiating the fee and co-ordinating the designers to make sure they’re working on clearly defined areas, without any overlap.
4. Getting the designs right
You’ve worked through your brief with your designers and have some fantastic sketch ideas, but it may not be quite what you had in mind originally and you’re concerned about the costs.
How do you get back on track?
We’ll work with the designers and tweak the designs to make sure you get what you want. Once you’re happy with the plans, we’ll provide you with accurate budget costs.
TIP it’s really important to get things right at this stage. If you change things later on – re-design the scheme, abandon work that’s been started or need new planning permission – it can get very expensive.
5. Getting the plans approved
You’re happy with the design in principle and ready to submit your planning application. How do you make sure it all goes smoothly?
If we’ve managed your project from stages 2 to 4, getting through the planning process should be straightforward. By now you know the design is feasible and the plans meet your requirements and your budget.
TIP we’ll save you time and money by planning everything carefully from the start. If there’s anything controversial, we’ll seek specialist planning advice before trying to get your plans approved.
6. Working out the finer details
You know the sort of style you want, but how do you achieve it? Where do you start looking? How do you communicate your ideas and how will it all fit together?
Creating the right look may seem like a huge task, but we know where to go to find specialist design elements such as kitchens, bathrooms and swimming pools.
TIP creating the right look and feel for your home may seem like a huge task, but we know where to go to find specialist design elements such as open-plan kitchen diners, bespoke features, green energy solutions or eco-friendly materials.
7. Asking for cost estimates
You may know a builder, but does he have the right experience? How do you choose who to price your project?
Not all builders will be right for you. We’ll do the research and source several suitable builders or specialists. We will recommend people with the right experience, ask them to tender, or negotiate with them on your behalf.
TIP get us to check builders’ credentials carefully before asking for a quote. Do they have good recommendations? Do they have sufficient resources – cashflow and workforce – to complete within your timescales? Do they have the appropriate insurance and guarantees?
8. Choosing the right builder
You have a variety of quotes for your project but the prices vary dramatically. How do you choose the best option?
Before asking for quotes, we’ll ensure all the builders receive the same information, scheduling the work. We’ll then assess how competitive each submission is for each element and highlight any items that are missing or overpriced. After reviewing each builder’s programme, together with their costs and relevant experience, we will tell you who we think would be best for your project.
TIP the cheapest quote is not always the most competitive. We’ll check the details thoroughly to make sure we’re comparing like with like and you don’t end up paying more than you bargained for.
9. Managing the work on site
You’ve chosen your builder, but do you need a contract? How do you know when to start paying and how much?
Your building work is likely to be one of the most expensive projects you ever take on, so it’s essential to safeguard your investment. You’ll need a contract that reflects the scope, cost and programme you’ve agreed, and protects everyone involved. We will:
- advise you on what you need
- prepare a contract for you
- manage it throughout the project and monitor progress against the programme
- value completed work against an agreed schedule and recommend interim payments
- manage and co-ordinate activities
- certify the work meets the expected standard
- liaise between you and your builder
TIP ask us to set up and manage your contract to make sure everyone is clear about what to expect and when payments will be made.
10. Moving in
Your builder says he’s completed the work but you’re not happy with the quality of finish. You want it put right, but where do you stand?
We’ll act as intermediaries, inspecting the completed work on your behalf (or with you, if you prefer) to ensure everything meets the requirements of the contract and expected quality standards. Once everything has been agreed, you can move in to your perfect house.
TIP we’ll act as intermediaries, inspecting the completed works on your behalf (or with you, if you prefer) to ensure everything meets the requirements of the contract and expected quality standards. We’ll make sure you’re completely satisfied before releasing the final payment. Once everything has been agreed, you can move into your perfect house.
TEN KEY STEPS TO CREATING YOUR PERFECT HOUSE
How to achieve your perfect house: your first step
In a typical building project, 50-60% of the total time is taken up with design and planning. By making sure you get this part right, we’ll help you meet all your goals in terms of quality, timing and budget.
Because we’re experts at managing building projects, we consistently save our clients’ money (even after you’ve taken our fees into account). And we’ll also save you a lot of stress and hassle along the way.
Based in Tring, on the Herts/Bucks border, we provide project management and quantity surveying services to help people complete their building work on time and within budget.
We’re experienced in managing a wide range of projects from house refurbishments to new hotel complexes.
We’re regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, so you can be confident we’ll provide a professional service.
Get in touch
For more information or to discuss your project send us a message or call
01442 823032