Services

 

Services include architectural design, building and dilapidation surveys, CDM (principal designer) services, clerk of works, dispute resolution, home buyers surveys, party wall surveys, project management.

 

We have experience of all types of projects from small alteration works to multi-million pound residential care village developments.

     Procurement Advice

 

There are a number of standard routes or processes, particularly with respect to the construction stage, that need early consideration when procuring construction.  Each route places different demands, risk allocation and responsibilities on everyone involved and different cash flow profiles on the client.  The chosen route is then supported by standard or custom forms of contract.

 

Guymer Architectural can provide advice on procurement routes and contractual arrangements to ensure the most suitable option is adopted to suit the requirements of the client and the project.

 

 

     Project Management

 

Effective project management is the key to project success.  Project management is not a rigid exercise but a flexible operation primarily co-ordinating all parties to ensure the project achieves the client’s aims and objectives.  We can provide a project management service for construction projects blending the required skills and resources.

 

 

     Design and Build Management

 

For some projects the overlap between design and construction and contractor construction expertise is reflected in design development and usually a shorter period from inception to start on site and can provide a low risk, cost effective, bespoke solution to a client’s capital project requirements.

 

However, successful design and build contracts require successful management; feasibility studies and initial budgets must be accurate; Employer’s Requirements must be comprehensive and unambiguous, clearly defining the required works whilst maintaining maximum design and specification flexibility and perhaps competition; suitable tenderers have to be selected; Contractor’s Proposals must be evaluated and analysed for compliance and to determine best value; contract documents must be correctly prepared for signature and contract administration must be carried out correctly, effectively and efficiently once construction starts.  Guymer Architectural can provide expert design and build management service from building inception to completion.

 

 

     Contract/Client Dispute Resolution

 

Guymer Architectural can provide independent expert assistance in managing claims of all sizes in a risk assessed and cost effective manner.

 

Claims resulting from client changes, material delivery delays and design problems can have significant impact on the viability of projects and on cash flow, resulting in additional costs and failure to deliver to programme and budget.

 

We give early reasoned expert advice on quantum and programme matters, allowing parties to make an early-action risk assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of their cases and to consider the potential for alternative means of settlement.

 

We provide specialist claims management advice, including the preparation of defence documentation for claims and represent clients in negotiations to reach an effective settlement.

 

We can provide a surveying service to determine the faults and discrepancies of the project in relation to the drawings and/or specifications.  Costs can also be put against these if required.

 

 

     Building Surveying

 

It is important to be fully informed about the condition of a property before any intended purchase or before any alteration or renovation work begins.  Only by having this information can a reasoned judgement of a purchase price be made or realistic alteration or renovation budgets determined.

There are various types of building surveys available and they should be carried out by fully qualified professionals.  Guymer Architectural is qualified for this work and has long term experience in carrying out building surveys.

 

1. Full building and homebuyer surveys:

 These are thorough building surveys involving close examination of all of the internal and external components. They are applicable to almost all properties and provide a detailed report of condition. They will identify insect attack, wet and dry rot and other infestation and visible building defects. Electrical and Mechanical inspections can be arranged if required.

 

2. Historic building surveys:

 This is similar to the full building survey but is intended for properties that carry special responsibilities because of their listed status.  Repair of listed buildings usually requires additional consideration and sometimes specialist techniques to comply with Listed Building Legislation.  We can also help with guidance on how best to repair such buildings to prevent progressive deterioration.

 

3. Dilapidations:

 Dilapidations are usually applicable to commercial, industrial and residential properties that are involved in tenancy change, whereby the outgoing tenant or landlord has a schedule of dilapidations prepared.  Dilapidations can also be applicable before purchasing or leasing an existing property as a record of the existing condition and as an aid in price negotiation.  Guymer Architectural can carry out this work preparing complete schedules with record photographs and where necessary provide costs and associated support services as required.

 

4. Party Wall Matters

 The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 requires that either one or two surveyors be appointed in matters that affect buildings or structures adjacent to each other.  Buildings can also mean land.  Guymer Architectural can act as Party Wall surveyors offering guidance and ensuring that necessary notices are served or received as the case may be.  It is essential that any works, apart from very minor construction work, are considered under this Act and the appropriate notices given.

 

 

     CDM (Principal Designer) Duties

 

With the introduction of the Construction [Design and Management] Regulations in 1994, designers within the UK were made responsible under criminal legislation for the safety of their designs.  Prior to this all legislation relating to the construction industry was aimed at contractors.

 

Richard Guymer has been involved in the Planning Supervision [later CDM Co-ordinator and now Principal Designer Role] almost since the introduction of the Regulations in 1994 [amended 2007 and 2015].

 

In essence we see our role as ensuring that both hazard identification and risk assessment are carried out correctly by the designers and are also able to advise on safer solutions to design problems.

 

Health and safety in construction is not just a moral or ethical issue, as important as they are.  We find that in many instances when risk assessment has been applied correctly that the health and safety improvements which result are not the only ones.  Safe design can also result in better design, better overall planning and better execution of the works which ultimately saves time and can therefore also reduce costs.

 

Maintenance and finally demolition issues are also examined as part of the risk reduction process and can therefore similarly result in a more cost effective and better managed finished building for the client.

 

We consider ourselves to be an integral part of the design team and if made part of that team from design inception we can contribute added value to the project.