Guidance for your project: key matters to discuss with your project partner before planning and construction.
This model is suitable if you wish to award planning and construction together. It can start at an early project stage.
Discuss together: Which planning services are included, and which information must you provide?
More about total contracting ↗This model focuses on organising and carrying out construction work. Interfaces with the existing design are agreed in advance.
Discuss together: Is the design ready for construction, and who answers outstanding design questions?
More about general contracting ↗Who will use the property? Which rooms do you need, and what does not work today? Record your three most important goals.
Bring existing plans, photos and information about previous alterations. Unresolved questions also help identify the assessments required.
State your budget and distinguish essential work from optional wishes. Discuss how to handle costs that are not yet known.
Collect a few suitable examples. Explain what you like about them: space, material, light or fixtures. This turns a style preference into a concrete brief.
State your preferred timeframe and key dependencies. If the property will remain occupied, discuss access, phasing and restrictions early.
A price is meaningful only when the services behind it are clear.
Compare quotations on the same basis: work included, quantities, materials, finish standard and explicit exclusions. Ask about open items and assumptions.
Agree how changes are approved and documented. For a conversion, also discuss how unexpected findings in the building will be investigated.
An initial description is enough to discuss your starting point. The location, intended use and main objectives are helpful. Complete plans are not essential at this stage.
Specify materials, surfaces, fixtures and workmanship. Terms such as “high quality” alone leave room for interpretation. Examples and samples help establish a shared understanding.
First discuss what is still unknown and which investigations are possible. A suitable contingency depends on the building’s condition and the scope of work; a standard figure cannot replace this assessment.
Condition, use and scope of intervention are the starting point. They determine the specialist assessments and planning services your project requires.
Record the work reviewed together, outstanding items, responsibilities and next steps. Also clarify which documents and care instructions will be handed over.
Build, renovate or arrange ongoing care: discuss your plans with us.