Project preparation

Services offered

• Helps achieve “buy-in” from staff for proposed changes or relocation
• News letters
• Focus groups
• Presentations
• Welcome booklets
• Events
• E-mail and intranet communications
• Help desks

Selection criteria

Track record
This is by far the most important consideration. There are few companies who have genuine experience of this growing, specialist field.

The people
What is their technical skill and knowledge?
Are you going to be able to get on with them through the life of the project?

Resources
Can the firm handle your project – is it too big, is it too small?

Understanding
Do they appear interested in, and understand your needs and your brief. If not, it is doubtful you will ever get what you want from them.

Overall abilities
Do they have the ability to implement the brief and achieve your objectives?

Is what you see what you will get?
Check that the people that you meet during the selection process are the people that you will work with, and not just “front men”.

Services offered

• Systems audits
• IT and telecommunications strategy
• Systems design and specification
• System procurement management
• Project management of systems installation
• Disaster Recovery - this is a key specialist service that not all IT consultants provide. If you would like to know more, click here.

Selection criteria

Track record
Look for experience of projects similar to yours. Particularly, look for experience in projects of a similar technical nature. E.g. Computer rooms, intranet, networks, cabling, telephone systems etc. You may wish to use a specialist IT removals contractor.

The people
What is their technical skill and knowledge?
Are you going to be able to get on with them through the life of the project?

Resources
Can the firm handle your project – is it too big, is it too small?

Communication
Do they use your language, or do they speak in jargon you don’t understand?

Understanding
Do they appear interested in, and understand your needs and your brief. If not, it is doubtful you will ever get what you want from them.

Overall abilities
Do they have the ability to implement the brief and achieve your objectives?

Is what you see what you will get?
Check that the people that you meet during the selection process are the people that you will work with, and not just “front men”.

Financial status
Do they have the right level of financial stability and insurance cover to survive the sometimes financially precarious construction industry?

Services offered

• Advises on all aspects of cost control and financial matters relating to the project
• Initial budget
• Tendering
• Cash flow
• Risk management
• Total Project Cost control
• Verifying payments to fitting-out contractors or specialists
• CDM planning supervisor
• Capital allowances advice
• VAT advice

Selection criteria

Track record
Look for experience of your type of project. Ask for references from current clients and visit completed recent projects. Find out about their reputation. Be assured that they deliver on time and to budget.

Qualifications
Membership of the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) will be required.

The people
What is their technical skill and knowledge?
Are you going to be able to get on with them through the life of the project?

Resources
Can the firm handle your project – is it too big, is it too small?

Location
Is it important for a firm to be close to you or close to your site? (It might be more convenient for you to have easy access to your team than for them to have easy access to your site)

Communication
Do they use your language, or do they speak in jargon you don’t understand?

Understanding
Do they appear interested in, and understand your needs and your brief. If not, it is doubtful you will ever get what you want from them.

Overall abilities
Do they have the ability to implement the brief and achieve your objectives?

Is what you see what you will get?
Check that the people that you meet during the selection process are the people that you will work with, and not just “front men”.

Financial status
Do they have the right level of financial stability and insurance cover to survive the sometimes financially precarious construction industry?

Services offered

• Advises on all structural matters
• Structural suitability of new premises for your needs
• Capacity of floors and walls to support office equipment
• Designs for structural alterations
• Stability of existing buildings

Selection criteria

Track record
Look for experience of your type of project. Ask for references from current clients and visit completed recent projects. Find out about their reputation. Qualifications
M I Struct E (Institution of Structural Engineers) will be most useful.

The people
What is their technical skill and knowledge?
Are you going to be able to get on with them through the life of the project?

Resources
Can the firm handle your project – is it too big, is it too small?

Location
Is it important for a firm to be close to you or close to your site? (It might be more convenient for you to have easy access to your team than for them to have easy access to your site)

Communication
Do they use your language, or do they speak in jargon you don’t understand?

Understanding
Do they appear interested in, and understand your needs and your brief. If not, it is doubtful you will ever get what you want from them.

Overall abilities
Do they have the ability to implement the brief and achieve your objectives?

Is what you see what you will get?
Check that the people that you meet during the selection process are the people that you will work with, and not just “front men”.

Financial status
Do they have the right level of financial stability and insurance cover to survive the sometimes financially precarious construction industry?

Advising on all services
Mechanical engineering

• Air-conditioning design
• Heating and ventilating
• Boilers
• Water services
• Sprinkler systems
• Drainage
• Gas and water supplies

Electrical engineering

• Small power distribution
• Lighting
• Emergency generators
• Fire alarms, protection and detection
• Mains power to major electrical items e.g. lift motors and air-conditioning equipment
• Mains supply

Selection criteria

Track record
Look for experience of your type of project. Ask for references from current clients and visit completed recent projects. Find out about their reputation.

Qualifications
Professional qualifications for mechanical engineers
Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (MCIBSE)
Professional qualifications for electrical engineers
Institute of Electrical Engineers (MIEE or AMIEE)

The people
What is their technical skill and knowledge?
Are you going to be able to get on with them through the life of the project?

Resources
Can the firm handle your project – is it too big, is it too small?

Location
Is it important for a firm to be close to you or close to your site? (It might be more convenient for you to have easy access to your team than for them to have easy access to your site)

Communication
Do they use your language, or do they speak in jargon you don’t understand?

Understanding
Do they appear interested in, and understand your needs and your brief. If not, it is doubtful you will ever get what you want from them.

Overall abilities
Do they have the ability to implement the brief and achieve your objectives?

Is what you see what you will get?
Check that the people that you meet during the selection process are the people that you will work with, and not just “front men”.

Financial status
Do they have the right level of financial stability and insurance cover to survive the sometimes financially precarious construction industry?

Services offered

• Expert on the fabric and function of buildings
• Works closely with commercial agent
• Prepares Schedules of condition
• Can sometimes offer space planning advice
• Building works supervision
• Fitting-out supervision

Selection criteria

Track record
Look for experience of your type of project. Ask for references from current clients and visit completed recent projects. Find out about their reputation.

Qualifications
Membership of the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) will be normal.

The people
What is their technical skill and knowledge?
Are you going to be able to get on with them through the life of the project?

Resources
Can the firm handle your project – is it too big, is it too small?

Location Is it important for a firm to be close to you or close to your site? (It might be more convenient for you to have easy access to your team than for them to have easy access to your site)

Communication
Do they use your language, or do they speak in jargon you don’t understand?

Understanding
Do they appear interested in, and understand your needs and your brief. If not, it is doubtful you will ever get what you want from them.

Overall abilities
Do they have the ability to implement the brief and achieve your objectives?

Is what you see what you will get?
Check that the people that you meet during the selection process are the people that you will work with, and not just “front men”.

Financial status
Do they have the right level of financial stability and insurance cover to survive the sometimes financially precarious construction industry?

Services offered

• Selection and demonstration of all suitable furniture types
• In-showroom or in-office trials of furniture systems
• Advice on price, durability etc.

Selection criteria

Track record
Look for experience of your type of project. Ask for references from current clients and visit completed recent projects. Find out about their reputation.

The people
What is their technical skill and knowledge?
Are you going to be able to get on with them through the life of the project?

Resources
Can the firm handle your project – is it too big, is it too small?

Communication
Do they use your language, or do they speak in jargon you don’t understand?

Understanding
Do they appear interested in, and understand your needs and your brief. If not, it is doubtful you will ever get what you want from them.

Overall abilities
Do they have the ability to implement the brief and achieve your objectives?

Fees
Many furniture companies provide free space planning as a way of selling you their products. This may not always provide you with the objective overview you need. It may be better to pay for a space audit so that your options can be kept open later on in the programme.

Is what you see what you will get?
Check that the people that you meet during the selection process are the people that you will work with, and not just “front men”.

Financial status
Do they have the right level of and insurance cover to survive the sometimes financially precarious construction industry?