The Real Cost Of Your Project

New build luxury home by Taylor Kings in Sevenoaks, Kent

The reality is – humans are incredibly optimistic. There have been many studies about the subject.

We all do it…

‘It will only take five minutes to do the washing up – tops!’

10 minutes later, you’re still at it.

15 minutes later, you can finally claim to have completed it – properly.

Unsurprisingly, construction is no different… Clients hoping to complete their project for as little as possible & builders pricing to do it in record time whilst shaving costs off of the bottom line, all to win the work.

All without allowing for reality (for risk).

Doing things properly takes longer and costs more than most of us think.

Of course, every contractor wants to give potential clients the cheapest quote, but the reality is, it never really works out very well that way.

At Taylor Kings, we price projects using experience, data and real work. We go out to the market to get a spread of real quotes for materials and labour – all from companies and craftsmen we believe can deliver for us, and for our clients.

Our goal is to offer great value, and deliver quality projects, on budget, and this is why we give realistic figures, curated by thoughtful analysis of each unique project and every client’s specific vision.

Sure, this approach may not look ‘cheap’ on paper, but time and time again, you’ll hear about how a project was quoted to cost “X”, and ended up costing “Y”. Living proof that either the specification was changed or the winning builder priced it to win it.

It’s incredibly hard for anyone to get this point across without sounding like they’re finding an excuse for being expensive in the first instance (especially when it’s coming from a builder), but regardless, it is absolutely true.

Attractive prices often look better than they taste.

If you want a job done properly, it won’t be cheap.

If you want a job done cheaply, one way or another, it will work out badly.

Always find and use a company who has a track record of delivering the quality you seek, on budget.

Jeremy

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.