Client  First Choice Homes Oldham

Dates  March to June 2007

Period  16 weeks

Value  G.M.P. £151,018

Contract  Overall Framework Agreement

Scope of works

17 dwellings

Remove and replace timber windows with UPVC . Wash down all existing UPVC. Replace all facias, bargeboards, under cladding and rain water goods. Repoint all brickwork with gunpoint system. Rebuild chimney stacks. Cavity wall ties and cavity insulation.  Remove spleched bricks from rear elevation and build in new facing bricks.
Build internal gable walls in roof space. Rebuild garden walls and yard walls.
 

Innovations

This was an additional element to the basic decent homes works. Having already worked on the area for the Decent Homes Schemes good working relationships encouraged the client to approach us for advice as to what structural repairs were needed and where.

First Choice launched into partnering relatively early on compared to many and as a result completed their decent homes programme 2 years ahead of the 2010 original government target. Many of the innovations of partnering undertaken during this period are now accepted as the norm. The 5 years works programme was managed in true partnership with contractors working closely to deliver and share best practice between each other. Supply chain management, value engineering and full open book arrangements with the client were innovative five years ago and First Choice Homes was our first real encounter with such an open partnering environment.

For 5 years Kinetics utilised the same team of management, employees and partnered supply chain to deliver a large volume of works with extremely high KPI’s throughout.  The challenges created by the complex scope of works on full house refurbishments were always dominated by ensuring top quality customer care. The majority of our resident liaison offices were from a qualified trade background. This provided them with a more in depth understanding of the works process which they were able to explain and support the residents through the necessary works. This multi skilling of our workforce has also enabled us to have a more fluid team to cope with programme demands. Site agents and T.L.O.’s train together and can therefore provide better cover for each other and work extremely closely as a team.

Our approach to supply chain partnering in Oldham allowed us to foster long term relationships with small local subcontractors. Several two to three employee companies with work security and good cash flow, have been able to grow and develop alongside us during the 5 year period. Trainees and apprentices were also supported and employed by the supply chain as they grew and improved their services with us. We have since bid for other works and secured the Manchester Frameworks jointly with some of our supply chain companies. We recognise the importance of cash flow to very small firms in particular as they grow and throughout the five years we held no retentions and paid within 14 days. These good terms ensured that we could rely on a commitment and loyalty from our supply chain and that we could work closely together to deliver the best service solutions possible.