Keeping costs down on commercial builds

Jul 11, 2013 |NBS

From inception and planning through to the construction and defects liability periods, costs on all schemes rapidly mount up.

In this programme Sweett Group director Andrew Moore and architect Suzette Vela Burkett, a director of Aukett Fitzroy Robinson, discuss how the project team ensure the scheme is built within the agreed cost parameters.

They discuss the importance of clear channels of communication and clarity of vision and explain how the architect’s vision can be realised without compromising the budget.

Potential danger areas including the M&E, cladding and prelims packages are discussed and we look at the difference between value engineering and cost cutting.

Key learning points:

  • Clarity of the brief; what does the client want from the building?
  • Cladding, frame and M&E; the key packages that make or break a scheme
  • What is 'unbundling'?
  • Is BIM helping to keep costs down?
  • What is the difference between 'cost cutting' and 'value engineering'?

About the contributors

Andrew Moore, Director, Sweett Group, has worked predominantly in the commercial sector over the last 25 years, progressing from graduate to Senior Director within the Group. Andrew heads up the office and commercial sectors of the UK business and his experience ranges from developers through to funders and end users. He has extensive experience in key account management with major blue chip occupiers in the financial and media sectors. Andrew is a member of the BCO.

Suzette Vela Burkett, Managing Director, Aukett Fitzroy Robinson, is joint Managing Director of the UK business and sits on the Group Management Board. She has international experience on a range of projects in the office, retail, mixed use and hotels sectors, including hotel and corporate interiors, and from fast track new builds to complex heritage buildings. Her special interests include the challenges of refurbishment and working with large, complex buildings to maximise design opportunity and commercial return, creating value for clients.


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