With over 30 years of experience, Delaney Marling Partnership (DMP) manages complex projects for residential, commercial, charities and public sector clients, as well as historic buildings.

The team offers a project management role, acting as the leader of the design team and providing clients with a single point of contact throughout their projects.

Delaney Marling Partnership (DMP) recently completed a challenging project management case for a local charity, showcasing expertise in handling restoration work and managing unreliable contractors.

Project Overview

The project involved the restoration of a residential property housing clients of a local charity, which had suffered significant damage due to a fire in an adjacent property, which it turned out had been a marijuana farm. The fire and subsequent water damage from firefighting efforts necessitated extensive reinstatement and refurbishment work.

DMP’s role started with an initial survey for the client and insurance provider to establish the condition of the property following the fire.  Following this initial report the role altered to provide an agreed specification of work to enable the charity to get their clients back into the property at the earliest point in time possible.

Challenges Faced – Contractor Reliability Issues

After specifying the works and tendering to an extended contractor list, DMP faced a shortage of available contractors with many failing to return a competitively priced tender, which led the insurance company to recommend an insurance work specialist contractor. Unfortunately, this proved problematic as the firm increasing costs fixed in their tender return disagreed with the specified materials and amounts which their tender was based upon and significantly. increases on tender items they had provided provisional sums for.

The situation took a turn for the worse when the contractor abruptly abandoned the project. Prior to their departure, they had removed several original features of the property with the intention of replacing them. However, these architectural elements were never returned, further complicating the restoration process and potentially compromising the historical integrity of the building.

 

The original contractor had then to be replaced by another contractor after a short delay who could pick up the project and keep to the budget set between the parties and in a reasonable timescale.

Throughout the project, DMP encountered several significant project management hurdles. These challenges included coordinating the efforts of multiple contractors, ensuring strict adherence to the detailed specifications, managing tight budget constraints, and dealing with unexpected price increases. Despite these obstacles, DMP’s many years’ of experience in project management allowed us to navigate these issues effectively, ultimately leading to a successful project completion.

 

The Solutions

  1. Detailed Specification: DMP provided a comprehensive, itemised specification for the work, ensuring clarity on required tasks.
  2. Contractor Vetting: After initial setbacks, DMP brought in reputable firms they had previously worked with, including a reliable electrical contractor and construction company.
  3. Contract Management: Implemented a “pay less notice” to address overcharging issues.
  4. Quality Assurance: Engaged a trusted roofer to review the specification and completed work, ensuring high standards were met.
  5. Preservation of Original Features: Successfully managed the restoration of the property’s original features.

Outcomes

  • After two years of challenges, the project is complete
  • The insurer has expressed satisfaction with DMP’s specification and management
  • The charity has moved their tenants back into the restored property
  • DMP successfully shielded the client from the complexities and hassles of the restoration process.

 

Delaney Marling Partnership’s ability to navigate complex project management scenarios, effectively handle unreliable contractors, and deliver high-quality results for their clients, even in challenging circumstances.

If you are struggling with a building project, please get in touch by email info@delaneymarlingpartnership.co.uk or by calling us on 01482 623955 / 01472 729964.