Contract administration – New Build commercial building - Essex

Our client had found that their existing 5 bay steel framed metal and corrugated asbestos cement sheet clad building was not fit for purpose for the servicing and carrying out of MOTs for commercial vehicles. Modern vehicles tended to be longer and therefore the building was not deep enough to cater for them.  

Planning approval for a larger building was granted and we were approached to obtain building regulation approval and project manage the construction. We instigated investigations involving trial holes and soil analysis around the existing building to determine the foundation design and put together a package of working drawings and specification of works to enable contractors to submit competitive quotations.

Building Regulation matters were handled through the approved inspector route. Whilst this was being carried out the client arranged for the demolition of the existing building and the vehicle servicing business continued in a temporary building erected within the confines of the site.

The new build incorporated a purpose built inspection pit in one of the five bays and separate electrical systems to enable the large warehouse to be split into three separate areas increasing its marketability should the need arise in the future. The new colour coated metal clad steel framed building with power floated floor, metal roller shutters, fire escape doors and large concrete apron to the front was successfully handed over to the client upon completion. 

The overall value of the new build was £244k.

Schedule of Condition for West Thurrock Retail Park - Essex

Our client was about to take a short-term lease for a large warehouse unit for a furniture retail business. His solicitor advised that it would be prudent to have completed a Schedule of Condition to append to the lease to limit his liability.  Although time was short, Metcalfe Briggs completed the survey and delivered the Schedule of Condition without delay.

Single Joint Expert - Offices, Essex

Metcalfe Briggs Surveyors was appointed as Single Joint Expert in a dispute being heard in the County Court, involving an office refurbishment.  A Single Joint Expert acts on behalf of both parties in dispute, acting impartially to consider all material facts, in his area of expertise.  He delivers to the Court an independent report with a duty that the facts stated in the report are true and that the opinions expressed are correct.

Our expert’s report dealt with matters of completion, standard of workmanship, alleged defects, proposed remedies for those defects and loss to the Employer due to delay and disruption.

Our report concluded that the works were completed to an acceptable standard, subject only to minor snagging.  The dispute was resolved amicably between parties.

Employers Agent For Residential Refuge Project, South Essex

A vacant parcel of land in Essex was ripe for development to provide a residential refuge for women and children with support needs requiring temporary accommodation. It consists of 5 self contained 1 and 2 bedroom flats with a communal lounge and office for 24hr support for East Thames Group.

The development of this gently sloping site was completed with extensive landscaped communal gardens and off street parking. It is a 2 storey block constructed using traditional methods with concrete interlocking pitched roof tiles on trussed rafters supported by cavity brickwork /blockwork external walls and Milbank precast concrete floors.

Metcalfe Briggs Surveyors performed Employers Agent pre and post-contract duties that included critical analysis of the contractor’s design and build proposals to make sure they fully met the client’s Project Design Brief, analysis of the contract sum to confirm that value for money was delivered, establishing processes so that project quality, timing and cost were controlled, chairing regular meetings, providing progress reports, instruction of client variations, administration of stage payments and preparation of financial control statements for the client. Our role culminated with determination of practical completion, making sure all snagging was done and that the defects liability period inspection was undertaken with all relevant defects rectified.

Employers Agent, Ongar, Essex

Existing domestic garages to the rear of an established Housing Estate made way for this single storey building providing 6 self contained flats for people with learning difficulties and included a staff office, sleepover room with en-suite shower facilities and communal room. It was developed for East Thames and included extensive communal gardens provided for the benefit of the residents.

Funded by The Housing Corporation and Epping Forest District Council this design and build contract was procured by Metcalfe Briggs Surveyors. Particularly the Project Design Brief was scrutinised and the client questioned so that a refined, detailed document was produced. This had the client benefit that the design and build contract closely met expectations. During the contract we completed the contract administration function ensuring good communications, payment certificate supervision to the contractor and financial control including cash flow forecasting for the client. We had responsibility for implementing changes to the client’s requirements during the contract. Importantly we had responsibility to make sure the contractor completed the project not only in terms of construction but also that operation and maintenance information was duly delivered.

Appointed Surveyor on Party Wall Excavations - Ilford

A new development, a local authority Welcome Centre was to be built next to the Adjoining Owner’s site comprising residential care home flats.  Although there were no boundary structures the new development required foundations deeper than those of the flats. 

Under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 a Section 6 Adjacent Excavations Notice was served by the development’s Building Owner.  Upon receipt East Thames, owner of the flats appointed Metcalfe Briggs Surveyors to act on their behalf as Adjoining Owner’s Surveyor.

Metcalfe Briggs Surveyors attended the site with the Building Owner’s Surveyor to record and agree the schedule of condition of the affected areas including the flats adjacent to the proposed development.  Metcalfe Briggs Surveyors scrutinised, amended and subsequently agreed the Party Wall Award with the Building Owner’s Surveyor which was published to both parties.  Upon completion the schedule of condition was resurveyed; no defects were found.

Social Housing Development For Residential Refuge, South Essex

A vacant parcel of land in Essex was ripe for development to provide a residential refuge for women and children with support needs requiring temporary accommodation. It consists of 5 self contained 1 and 2 bedroom flats with a communal lounge and office for 24hr support.