Cyclical Decoration Works, North of England

Client: The Guinness Partnership Trust
Approx. Value: £500,000 per annum
Year: 2012 onwards

Introduction:

In 2012, following an OJEU tendering process, Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd was awarded the North and West regions of this cyclical redecoration framework for the Guinness Partnership Trust. The work covers external and internal works to general needs housing, supported housing and shared home ownership stock.

Since 2012, SBS has continued to deliver works through the scheme and, on the strength of its success, it has won a number of extensions and additional projects. Between July 2015 and April 2016, for example, it was commissioned to undertake a £655,000 re-roofing and painting scheme in Lancaster.

The Project:

The Cyclical Decoration Works Framework contract entails carrying out preparations, repairs, re-decoration and associated works in relation to general needs housing and hostels for young and vulnerable people. It also involves sheltered and/or supported housing owned or managed by the various companies forming the Guinness Partnership. It includes work in communal areas, often in properties housing vulnerable people - such as elderly residents and those with learning difficulties, sensory impairments, limited mobility or problems with addiction.

In all, the framework will last until 2022, comprising an initial period of five years, following which it will be extended by a further five years subject to a successful formal performance review.

The majority of the works involve external repairs and painting, normally on a five year cycle, but internal decoration is also sometimes required. The client specified a typical cyclical period of 5 years, with 20% of the stock being painted each year. However, it noted that funding requirements might require the contractor to adjust the scheduling from time to time. A degree of flexibility was therefore required, and Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd has made strenuous efforts to accommodate changes whilst adding value by identifying potential efficiency savings.

Quality is reviewed on a regular basis by site managers and quality assurance staff, and progress is reported on a weekly basis to the client. Good levels of communication have been maintained with residents at all times.

Results:

The contract is still ongoing but, to date, SBS has delivered all works on schedule and has maintained consistently high levels of customer satisfaction. Quality control procedures have ensured that the standard of workmanship has been excellent and the client’s performance reviews have provided very positive feedback. As part of the framework, SBS carries out customer satisfaction reviews and has consistently scored over 95%.

As a result of SBS's success, Guinness has extended the scope of its works on several occasions. One such extra project was a scheme at Victoria Terrace, Manchester. This consisted of external refurbishment works to a four storey communal block, including re-pointing works to all brickwork with lime-based mortar, renewal of fascias, soffits and rainwater goods, and roof repairs. The contract value was £75,000 and the work was completed within 10 weeks.

In July 2015, SBS was also awarded a seven-month, £655,000 contract at Scale Hall Farm, a residential development in Lancaster. The work - now complete - entailed the re-roofing of 200 terraced houses and flats, all with pitched roofs. It also involved pointing and painting works, and the replacement of existing rainwater goods, fascias and soffits. SBS provided pre-tender advice to the client relating to the specification of the proposed roof tiles systems.

Client Verdict:

Speaking in April 2016, Stephen Young, Planned Delivery Surveyor for the Guinness Partnership said: "Sustainable Building are very close to completion of an extensive re-roofing scheming at Scale Hall Farm. It’s been successfully delivered on programme and within the specified budget. Their pre-tender advice on specification has proved invaluable. The quality of the workmanship was excellent and the project was well supervised. Health and safety was given highest priority. There were zero incidents. Resident and client satisfaction levels were also high. Sustainable have exceeded our expectations and I would have no hesitation in recommending them for future work."

Nigel Bennett, Procurement Manager for the Guinness Partnership said of SBS: "A good contractor; excellent guys in the field. They look after the residents on schemes really well - all very polite and well mannered. We always get good comments about them."

Speaking at the conclusion of the Scale Hall Farm scheme, Stephen Young said: "I want to say huge thank you for helping me deliver the Scale Hall Project. It’s been a pleasure working with you all and I will look forward to working with you again on another project in the near future."