Top tips to save time and money on a commercial construction project

By Anderton Gables

30 Sep 2020

harbour2.jpg

To ensure a building is offering value for money, the benefits derived from it significantly need to exceed its lifetime costs. The benefits are derived from the functions that a building performs, as opposed to the building itself. This would mean that even if a building is built cost-effectively and within budget, if it does not meet the needs of the business it does not provide good value. For this reason, it is crucial for client and end-users needs to be clearly defined at the initial stages by the project team. An effective plan will determine an optimum balance between cost, time and quality and eliminate the need for unnecessary expenditures.

Whether you are considering building a new property, refurbishing an existing property, or even just doing some minor alterations, hiring an established chartered building surveying firm can help save time and money in your construction project.

+ The 10 stages to a successful building project

Define the type of construction or alteration project: Agree your project brief. Create a feasibility study to outline the costs, timelines and challenges the project may face. It is at this stage that a project may be abandoned or postponed for further investigation. If you only have a vague idea of what you want, you can have an option appraisal to identify numerous possible solutions. After you have decided on a solution, the detailed scope needs to be agreed. Create a detailed design and documents to allow contractors to quote. Meet with the chosen contractor to establish start and completion dates, costs, complications and approvals. This should all be discussed pre contract signing. Prepare and sign the contractor’s contract and documentation. Begin the project. During this stage your building surveyor should be ensuring the contract terms are being met, check progress and quality of work and    create snagging lists. Practical Completion: agree the work has been completed to expectations, checking the contract, and then paying the final instalment. Your contract should have a defect liability period that will withhold funds from the contractor for a period of time (usually 1 year), after which your surveyor will inspect for defects and make sure the contractor resolves any issues before they can receive the final funds. At this final stage the final certificate can be issued, if there are to be any issues with the building, these will need to be handled through common law.

+ The End Game

These stages are true to all building projects, whether you are the freeholder or leaseholder, or whether the project is a new build or altering an existing building. Following these stages carefully and correctly is likely to avoid any expensive mistakes; meaning that you are prepared. The temptation with a building project is to start as quickly as possible, which is never wise.

The majority of building projects will require approvals. Hiring an expert at this stage is crucial to determine if planning, conservation area and listed building consent may be required if you are extending or altering a building, this can prove to be a very complex process. 

Your build is also likely to be required to meet building regulations that relate to energy efficiency, structural stability and fire protection. Even if you are only leasing the property, your contract may stipulate that post lease you need to return the property to its original condition, or sometimes even improved condition.

AG is a Northern property expert, with offices in Manchester, Preston and Sheffield. As an award-winning commercial property surveying company, we have secured a role as the northern property market leader, with a large number of high-profile clients, as well as many small businesses choosing to enlist their services. 

The designing, specifying and tendering of a building project with the guidance of an experienced property surveyor is crucial to avoid the risk of expensive oversights and surprises. 

Employing a chartered building surveyor ensures that there is someone looking out for your interests during all stages, this will be appreciated most during the build itself when disputes with the contractor are not uncommon.

AG specialises in planning and building regulations, structural design and engineering services, cost consultancy, project delivery, along with a host of other project and development consultancy services. For more information about AG's Project and Development Consultancy services visit www.andertongables.co.uk

Latest news

1

New India branch campus on the horizon for Lancaster University Keir Starmer meets Indian PM and included Prof Simon Guy Lancaster University. Pic Simon Dawson

New India branch campus on the horizon for Lancaster University

09 Oct 2025

2

Best events and talented students complete finalists list for Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026 Best Events and Talented students on Lancashire Tourism Awards finalist list

Best events and talented students complete finalists list for Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026

09 Oct 2025

3

East Lancashire Learning Group named UK digital transformation leader in CIO 100 Awards Andrew Dewhurst with the award win

East Lancashire Learning Group named UK digital transformation leader in CIO 100 Awards

09 Oct 2025

4

PHX Training appoints new business leader in Blackpool Jason Davenport PHX Training

PHX Training appoints new business leader in Blackpool

09 Oct 2025

5

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m Velocity Composites Has Announced Its Entry Into The Us Market

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m

08 Oct 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th
Ai 10.10.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Oct 2025 - 10 Oct 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West

Strathmore Hotel, Morecambe, LA4 5AP

08:00 - 10:00

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials
EventBrite NORi - 15th Oct 2025 Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Teams, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

October Freelancer Meet-Up
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

October Freelancer Meet-Up

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine
LBV Advert_Autumn Reset 1200 x 630px.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine

The Artistry House , Preston , PR1 3JJ

17:30 - 19:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (26).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues
EventBrite NORi - 22nd Oct Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
22 Oct 2025 - 22 Oct 2025

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues

Online - Teams, Leyland, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin