CONSULTANCY

Our expert Consultancy Service offers clients a unique opportunity to work closely with a centralised party from start to finish.

Using our experience and network of industry professionals, we cover conception, design, budgets, construction and aftercare.

Visiting stands at an Decorex interior design show in London Olympia

Whether your project involves a major extension, a full-scale remodel, or the construction of an entirely new home, it is an exciting yet complex undertaking. For many, the process can feel overwhelming: navigating design decisions, planning permission, managing budgets, interpreting technical drawings, and ensuring compliance with regulations all demand time, expertise, and confidence. And this is why we believe Consultancy, in one form or another is invaluable.

Traditionally, a residential construction consultant works directly for the client, acting independently to the wider project team to plan significant building works. Serving as the client’s advocate, the consultant provides expert knowledge, contract administration, strategic planning, impartial advice, and practical oversight throughout the entire lifecycle of a project, from initial concept through to completion and handover. The role bridges the gap between vision and the technical realities of construction, ensuring that every decision is informed, transparent, and aligned with the project brief.

Testing appliances at the Rencraft kitchen showroom in Tunbridge Wells

Whilst Taylor Kings is, at its core, a high-quality main contracting construction company, and at present, we do not offer consultancy as a standalone service; we do incorporate it into our vision of delivering a complete, one-stop project package.

It is often argued that a main contractor cannot act as a client’s consultant due to potential conflicts of interest. While we understand this position in the strictest interpretation of the role, we do not wholly agree. Through experience, we have demonstrated that financial bias can be appropriately managed and that independent third parties can still be introduced where necessary, enabling a consultancy-style role to be successfully fulfilled by us as your builder.

We are incredibly passionate about creating an end-to-end experience for those seeking to undertake a residential construction project. Quality should be felt in more than just the materials chosen or the workmanship on site – it should be present in every conversation, consideration and decision. In our eyes, seamless support and careful guidance through every stage of your project is essential.

Acting in a consultancy capacity, allows us to offer a centralised, multi-dimensional approach for our clients – collaborating with qualified, independent professionals such as architects, engineers, surveyors, specialist suppliers and trades. We have worked from 1000’s of technical drawings, 100’s of schedules, worked on dozens of luxury properties with many architects, engineers and various consultants. We know scores of suppliers and their product ranges, and to top it off, we also have direct relationships with a huge number of tradesmen working at the top of their game. Lastly, we have incredible mentors who help to guide us on our own journey.

We see the value in making recommendations, standing by them and owning the results, but whether you would prefer to use your own independent consultant or work with us on an inclusive consultancy basis, we would always recommend seeking an experienced party to guide you through the process from the earliest opportunity. We are often approached by consultants to act as the main contractor and equally can recommend some very good ones, should you need them.

FAQ

It depends on the complexity of the project, your understanding of the pre/post construction process and whether you have any construction experience.

If you are carrying out a small kitchen extension, there will be a lot to sort out, but with some basic drawings by an architect, an engineer’s spec, a reputable builder and a local authority building inspector on board – most will manage.

For larger projects we would say absolutely yes, especially on prime residential properties and new builds – it quickly starts to become a huge undertaking with a lot of co-ordination required.

If you are unsure, you’re very welcome to get in touch for some advice.

Absolutely! We are very happy to work as the main contractor alongside professional consultants who work collaboratively.

Visit our Main Contracting page for more.

At the moment, we are only offering an in-house consultancy service to clients who wish to use our main contracting build service. 

Although it is a ‘no’ for now, we are putting together future plans for a dedicated consultancy and interior design business, so it will do no harm to get in touch if you would like to have a conversation. 

Through open conversations, transparency and a flexible approach which satisfies all stakeholders. As a small, local business our reputation is everything to us, and taking advantage of our position (in any capacity) would not only be morally poor, but incredibly damaging. Our business is based on recommendations, so we welcome the opportunity for prospective clients to speak with any of our existing clients.

Our post-construction phase framework.

  • Deep Cleaning – We employ professional cleaners who understand the importance of the products they are using and the methods they adopt.
  • Completion inspections – We go over every inch of the project to ensure that the work meets our incredibly high expectations.
  • Submission of Certification – We submit all certification to the building inspector/s to achieve project completion.
  • Handover – We carry out a full walk-through with our clients so that they can be shown the operations of all new equipment.
  • Operations & Maintenance Manual – We assemble and present a full O&M folder with guides for any new systems and care instructions.
  • Documentation Pack – Alongside the O&M manual, we assemble a documentation pack for any work completed which includes as-built drawings, service mark-ups, specification packs and relevant certifications.
  • Contacts Directory – Beyond being the main point of contact, we also form a comprehensive list of contacts which have worked on the project.
  • 12 Month Rectification Visit – As standard on any project, we always return after 12 months to carry out any snagging.
  • Ongoing support – We are there for our existing clients, long after completion. From handyman tasks to full maintenance plans, we offer a level of service which is not offered to the wider public.

Our construction phase framework.

  • Internal Inspections – There are a host of inspections to be completed and recorded on a daily and weekly basis. From welfare facilities, tidiness and security to major safety considerations such as scaffolding – our site agents use a centralised mobile application, where we have created bespoke templates to follow and track all of the inspections.
  • External Inspection – We organise and fulfil compliance inspections from building and warranty inspectors and our third-party health and safety inspector.
  • Meetings – We hold official weekly site meetings for the project team and all parties which are affected the current or imminent programme. We also hold official progress meetings, normally on a monthly frequency, with the clients and wider project team.
  • Reviews – We constantly review and tweak all of the various pre-construction project plans and main programme, issuing any changes to the project team and client.
  • Quality Control – Anyone working on our sites knows the exceptional standards we expect, but we still remain vigilant and ensure that the standards are met in every detail.
  • Information Collation – we collate and present all building control inspections, product warranties, operating and maintenance records and start to form the post-completion documentation.

Our pre-construction framework.

  • Define the Project Scope – We sit down and evaluate the drawings, technical specifications and information schedules before setting out clear project objectives, deliverables, a breakdown of key components and a list of possible conflicts.
  • Set a Project Programme – using the agreed scope, we layout a project programme. We do this using GANTT chart software which is a tool to visualise and rationalize time scales.
  • Form a Cost Management plan – we use the costing documents and project programme to estimate financial forecasts.
  • Form a Risk Management plan – we seek to find, highlight and plan for any items which may create risk to the programme or budget.
  • Form a Health and Safety plan – this is an extension of our Construction Phase Plans and highlights our use of developed Risk and Method Statements.
  • Create a communication plan – how we inform any external parties like neighbours of work that may affect them, we look at setting on/off site meeting frequencies, expectations for the transfer of information in RFI’s (requests for information), completion of various Registers and form a centralised shared information hub.
  • Form a Procurement Plan – We assess the lead times of all proposed materials and trades and map these against the project programme to highlight any risks to the programme. 
  • Highlight Quality Concerns – we review the selected materials and specifications to assess any areas which will need careful quality control to meet our high expectations.

Our compliance commitments:

  • Qualified and competent personnel for every role, including Site Manager.
  • Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) qualified site agents.
  • Dedicated Construction Phase Plans.
  • Fully developed Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS).
  • Thorough Fire Control and Emergency Plans.
  • Detailed site inductions for all personnel and visitors.
  • Correct and clear site signage and first aid stations.
  • Regular inspections and maintenance of all plant and equipment by qualified third party inspectors (LOLER).
  • Daily inspections of plant and equipment.
  • Regular site inspection audits by a third party health & safety consultant.