24/03/2021
Bringing the drawings to life by construction can be the most difficult stage to carry out. But we have developed a process to help make this as smooth as is possible.
In all the years working through projects, we have seen many different attempts to control the building team. This Control is ultimately what you need to keep a building project, on track, on time and on cost. In our experience, the only projects that work is when there is a team as a main HUB and they have authority over the building team.
OUR CONTROL PROCESS:
CONTRACT: Back to back contracts are signed with the client. Directly with TechD and also directly with the main builder/s. These contracts are linked to each other forming the project team, but legally keeps insurances separate.
COST + DESIGN: Discussions about costs and the related design decisions are between the client and TechD or between TechD and the Builder. This filter and buffer prevents the Builder finding ways of charging unnecessary extras directly to the client as well as also allowing for us to find easier and sometimes cheaper ways to fulfil the Client’s requirements. It means there is always an informed discussion on any decisions that need to be made during construction and keeps costs to minimums.
FUNDS: We manage the funds on the Client’s behalf. We provide an itemised Building Estimate and, when agreed, a works programme. We ask for a 4-6 weeks draw down amount at a time, to be transferred to our Client account, in advance of the works in the programme. We give you a weekly statement to show what funds have been spent and tie this back to the original estimate and works programme so you can see in real time the progress in terms of programme & finance onsite. We make payments to all parties (labour & materials) on the client’s behalf, but only if we are happy with the work that has been done.
WHY USE TECHNICAL DETAIL?
What is the benefit of doing things this way instead of going straight to another Building Company?
Five main reasons:
DESIGNER INVOLVEMENT: TechD are involved through to the end! That means we can continue to deliver your initial ideas & requirements through the construction phase, so that you do not compromise on what you originally wanted and designed. That means you have the TechD construction phase professional services included without paying extra for it on top of a builder’s price. We also protect you from “cowboy builders” as far as is possible, by monitoring work and progress before releasing funds for work done.
COST: Not only do you have the TechD construction stage professional services included, we also do not charge profit on the Building Estimate! Therefore, we are giving you the building works at cost, essentially “open book”. How can we afford to do that? We charge a weekly operating cost, however this cost over the project is much less than a traditional builder’s profit that is added on to the “at cost” prices. We feel, in this climate, it is more important to have a regular income than to aim for large profit at the end of a project, the outcome being in favour of you, the client.
VAT: Because payment for materials and labour are being made on your behalf, there is no additional VAT required on top of the building estimate that you are provided with.
SUPPLIER'S DISCOUNT: For items that you as a client would supply such as tiles, flooring etc., we will give you the discount rate that we have with suppliers, directly to you, we don’t make profit on this. So, you will get the best possible price for these items.
MONEY BACK: If at the end of the project we have managed to beat the estimate that was provided and there are funds left in the client account, we will return these funds to you.
