What services do we offer: In General

Inout is one of Essex’s most prestigious building professionals delivering high specification projects within the residential sector. We have worked with the very best architects, developers and private clients. We have undertaken numerous projects in Kensington, Chelsea, Mayfair, St John's Wood and Hampstead Heath; and we are now bringing this extensive knowledge and experience to the heart of Essex.

Consultancy

The initial consultation lasting up to two hours is free, you will be sent a questionnaire prior to the meeting which will prompt you to think about what you want from your garden, home or both. You will also need to think about your budget and timescale from your point of view.

It may be necessary for a further meeting where some draft sketches will have been prepared to promote further discussion. This will also be free of charge.

It is not unusual for the brief to be changed as the design develops and as other ideas emerge but it is important that the brief is referred to and amended as a working document. It is vital that through communication we 'Nail The Brief' so you know what you are getting and I know what I am providing

All of this will result in a quote for the design works together with a scope of works which constitutes the brief. at this point we will also discuss the basis upon which you want inout to proceed. The quote will also incude a budget allowance for the works and a timescale.

From this point all my time will be charged but not on a time basis, each stage will have been costed within the quote. I want you to know what you will be charged at all times. It's the way I work - no surprises....

Survey & design

The next stage is to carry out a very detailed survey, which includes soil testing if I'm working on the garden. In respect of the house it may need to be an intrusive test particularly if there are structural alterations.

I will generally prepare hand-drawn drawings however I can prepare 'auto-cad' drawings which have the benefit of being saved and used for other purposes. This takes more time and will therefore cost more but you may consider it to be worthwhile.

If planning permission is required for the changes to the house I may employ an architect, and if the structural works are extensive I may employ a structural engineer. The choice of design team can be left to me or you may want to be involved. You may wish to employ them direct. all of this will have been discussed at the point I present my quote.

An interim meeting will be arranged when I will provide you with my preliminary drawings, this will be an opportunity to modify the brief, drawings and preliminary finishes or planting scheme. When the details are agreed the drawings, scheduesand specifications will be finalised. Again you can decide whether you wish the drawings to be coloured. The drawings will consist of plans, elevations and isometrics ( 3-d prospective drawings), which most clients relate to rather than plans & elevations. Colour looks better but again takes time and therefore costs more.

I will present my proposals in a formal but relaxed meeting, and if you are satisfied with the overall scheme the documents will be signed off ready for tender documentation to be prepared. This will be the completion of the design stage and the appropriate invoice and payment will be exchanged. You will receive a copy of all the documents.

Tendering

We will have discussed on what basis I continue to be involved, in fact you may not wish my involvement beyond the design stage. I would advise that I should have some monitoring role, even if its just through the tendering period up to appointment of a contractor.

It may be that you wish me to take on the project as a 'turn-key' project that is I complete everything and all you do is walk in at the end. Again I would advocate that you have some involvement all the way through, with refurbishemnt there are always unexpected issues that need resolving.

On the basis that you wish to go to competitive tender: I will prepre the tender documentation and agree the list of contractors and send out the enquiries.

I will invite them all to visit - its surprising those who believe they can submit a competitive price without coming to your home.

On the retrun of the tenders I will prepare a report on the quote that offers the best value, which may not be the cheapest, I will also recommend a second contractor to ensure that through the on-going negotiations, the tender remains competitive. It's your decision on who you want to work in your house or garden or both, sometimes you just feel more comfortable with one contractor - they will be with you for sometime so its important.

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Project management

The management of time is not good in our industry and many builders and landscapers do not give the process sufficient thought. Whatever the basis of my appointmentt if I am involved either as a contractor carrying out the work; or as a project manager monitoing the work; or just as a consultant, I will prepare a detailed programme for all activities in the process, but most importantly for the construction period.

It's important that everything is considered most issues can be anticipated. Remodelling or refurbishment is no excuse for the contrctor not to think about what he is likely to encounter and make provision for it, in terms of time and of cost. I will rigoroudsly review all issues - what I call 'crossing t's and dotting i's' BEFORE the work starts.

And before the work starts we will have a final review of the brief, it's much cheaper to change things on the drawing than when it's built!!

Construction

I will provide regular weekly updates on progress.

I will ensure that the contractor works in your home and not on a building site, its a state of mind.

- Tidying up after himself as the work proceeds.

- Not leaving services off overnight.

- Using 'tack-mats' to keep the dust down.

- Phasing the work so that it doesn't overwhelm the house.

- Not leaving doors open for the contractor's convenience.

Completion

It's important that the work is checked as it proceeds, changing things at the end is not recommended - things very rarely are done as well the second time around. A change picked up early will have less impact on the project in terms of cost and time and indeed on quality.

On completion I will have walked around the project with the contractor and inspected everything from a technical and aesthetic view-point. The contractor will have had the opportunity to correct the work as necessary so that the final walk around with you should reveal very little.

Having agreed that the contractor has fulfilled his contract and that the project has met your brief, we will hand the project over to you. The appropriate invoice will be raised and payment will be made.

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After-care & maintenance

It is increasingly important to have a 'log-book' for your house and garden. Your house will require a Home Information Pack as a minimum, if you wish to sell. With so many new technologies contaned within the house its also important to pass on this information to any potential buyer.

Inout partners with Bluebeen, a specialist technician, who can provide all your information on an interactive DVD. More details can be found on their web-site. Its a great investment and is so useful when you want to find a replacement part number for your boiler or cooker or whatever. Manuals for the work that has been carried out will be provided in the format you require.

Planned maintenance schedules will also be provided. Your house is not static it will move with the seasons especially in the first year getting some shrinkage cracking can be expected. The services within the house are dynamic and will occasionally falter.

The garden is alive and growing it will require regular maintenance hopefully no more than you expected. We can help you plan the maintenance required especially for the first year when new plants are particuarly vunerable as they strive to establish themselves.

Then there is on-going maintenance which can be planned or reactive. Planned is a regular visit by inout to carry out defined schedules of maintenance, reactive is where something triggers a call for action. The benefits of both can be discussed and we are happy to provide on-going maintenance for your home and garden.

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