Having acquired 8,000 sq ft of office space in Maidenhead for Alfresco Software, we were appointed to project manage the fit-out of its new UK headquarters.

At the start of the project, we undertook due diligence surveys on Alfresco Software’s new HQ, The Place, which was a refurbished 1980s building in Maidenhead.

Due to the imminent expiry of the lease on its existing offices, we were up against tight timescales to have the new offices ready for occupation.

New approach to contractor selection to meet tight timescales

We went on to assist with negotiations on issues raised in the survey, resulting in the landlord completely replacing the raised floor within the demise. We then suggested a procurement approach that meant that the fit-out project was priced on a competitive basis, and the contractor was appointed within two weeks.

The quickest procurement route would ordinarily be to appoint a contractor on a “Design & Build” basis. However, this would give the client limited cost control and no pricing of the scheme on a competitive basis. So we recommended a contractor selection process involving a hybrid approach, whereby contractors priced a schedule of typical works which was then used as the pricing platform for a contractor-designed scheme.

Up to £80,000 in savings delivered

The procurement approach saved up to £80,000 when compared to a “Design & Build” strategy. This fast-track procurement, as well as working closely with the client’s project manager and the contractor, ensured the fit-out completed on time for the tenant’s occupation.

The internal fit-out works have been designed to create a quality working environment for staff, better suiting their needs than their former office space.