Challenge

The school’s pitched roofs had deteriorated to D1 condition, with leaks disrupting teaching, creating health and safety hazards, and increasing costly reactive maintenance. A previous CIF application had narrowly missed approval, with concerns raised about value for money and risk planning. In addition, the works needed to be carefully sequenced around term time, comply with conservation area requirements, and mitigate risks such as asbestos, COVID-19 labour pressures, and Brexit-related supply chain issues.

Solution

Carré Consultancy led the full feasibility, specification, and procurement process:-

• Commissioned independent RICS condition surveys and options appraisal (aligned with HM Treasury Green Book).
• Demonstrated best value through a competitive sealed bid tender to five specialist roofing contractors. The lowest valid tender was £236,090, benchmarked against BCIS and Spon’s indices.
• Incorporated provisional and contingency sums (6% of contract) to manage unforeseen asbestos or structural issues.
• Designed the programme to align major works with the summer holidays, minimising disruption to teaching.
• Ensured statutory compliance: planning submission to address conservation area status, full plans approval from Building Control, and CDM 2015 compliance.
• Oversaw contract administration under JCT Minor Works 2016.