Project & Building Consultancy

We provide project management for an extensive range of construction projects, varying from refurbishment/fit out’s through to complete new build, acting for end user occupiers, owners, and developers. We combine commercial acumen with technical expertise.

Project ‘drivers’ always vary from client to client and project to project; we commit to fulfil the often difficult balance between programme, cost and quality or design integrity. We do this through project ownership and by never offering up a problem without a solution.

Cost control is essential in any project and we see active cost planning and financial control as a way to empower the architect to deliver architectural flair (where the client requires!) and quality – whilst complying with the budget constraints. We have a strong commitment to team work; and equality throughout the project team. This approach, and sharing of reward and responsibility results in higher standards all round.

Our Project Monitoring experience encompasses all types of property across the whole of the UK and overseas. The works monitored range from internal fit-outs/ refurbishments through to major new developments.

We recognise the importance of the monitoring role starting at an early stage in the project to ensure that the risks in terms of time, cost & quality are managed as effectively as possible. We can also retrospectively audit works by others and are increasingly called upon to undertake ‘health checks’ on troubled developments.

We act for Commercial Banks, Pension Funds, Institutional Investors, Corporate Occupiers, Receivers and Public Sector clients.

Our clients include HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, Al Rayan Bank, Bank Leumi, Qatar National Bank, Santander Knight Frank Investment Management, Aviva Investors, AIG Asset Management, EFG Private Bank, Deutsche Bank, Deutsche Hypo, Handlesbanken and Metro Bank.

Main services

Development/ Fund Monitoring

Acting for the equity investor or purchaser who is forward funding/purchasing a development, typically comprising an initial up front payment, funding during construction & a final payment upon completion

Bank Monitoring

Acting for the debt provider to the developer with finance provided through a loan facility sometimes including a requirement by the developer to pay the first tranche of the construction costs from their own equity

How we add value for our clients

• Understanding the brief – being aware of how the project is structured and how the finance is to be provided
• Technical expertise – in house RICS qualified staff with sound technical background to ensure a complete grasp of the technical aspects
• Experience – relevant to the project in question
• Collaborative approach – working closely with the development team including attendance at project meetings to maintain a full understanding of the project
• Risk review – identifying the risks at the outset and how these will be managed during the project
• Speed of reporting – We aim to turn our reports around in a timely manner, typically within 5 days of the draw-down request

With the objective of making the most efficient use of land and maximising development potential whilst minimising cost and risk, it is essential to consider surrounding properties when looking at the design of a project.

Early advice is vital to resolving and mitigating problems that can otherwise lead to major areas of planning risk and severely hamper the development prospects. Our in-house team of specialist surveyors provide a full consultancy service as early as the pre- acquisition and feasibility stage, progressing through planning and concept design, to on-site delivery.

We aim to highlight all potential issues and provide both practical and commercial solutions towards achieving maximum development potential and ensuring statutory compliance. We advise clients from all property sectors on small to major development schemes. We deal in all aspects of Neighbourly Matters including: Crane and Scaffold Oversailing, Rights of Way, Rights of Light and Daylight and Sunlight, Party Walls, Ransom Strips and Access to Neighbouring Land. We advise both Building Owners and Adjoining Owners and act as third surveyors; we are recognised within the profession in this specialist area and our surveyors offer expert opinion and can provide litigation support.