Building a new house is an exciting but complex journey requiring meticulous planning, coordination, and communication. Mrs B of Sevenoaks worked with IQ Property Services to have her new home built, and has kindly provided an account of the process based on her experience.
Initial Consultation
“Our journey began with a consultation with Tony, the lead project manager at IQ. He asked us to compile wish lists detailing our dream home’s design and how we envisioned living in it. This process helped identify our lifestyle needs and preferences.”
Understanding Lifestyle Needs
“Presenting our wish lists to Tony revealed deeper insights. For instance, my husband’s desire for a basement golf driving range highlighted the need for adjustment of room heights and specialist services installations, translating lifestyle desires into practical requirements.”
Engaging Specialists and Consultants
“Tony identified the need for various specialists from our wish lists. He emphasized selecting the right architect for our project. Tony developed a list of required specialist services and interviewed several consultants, ensuring we had the best expertise for the design phase.”
Design Phase and Visualization
“The design phase involved detailed discussions over several months. We opted for a 3D walkthrough of our design, allowing us to visualize the completed home, adjust layouts, and tweak elements before construction began.”
Tender Documents and Contract Formation
“Once the design was finalized, Tony prepared tender documents and specifications. This ensured contractors would bid on the same scope of work, making comparisons straightforward. IQ solicited bids from numerous contractors. We received three comprehensive tenders, which Tony meticulously evaluated, including scrutinizing preliminaries—costs for setting up and managing the site. After careful vetting and interviews, we selected a contractor. IQ ensured all necessary checks were in place and that the contractor had the financial capability to complete the project. The JCT contract included a retention clause.”
Construction and Project Completion
“With the contractor selected and all necessary insurances and health and safety processes in place, construction began. IQ managed the project, ensuring adherence to plans and resolving issues as they arose. Upon completion, a final inspection addressed any defects, with retention money ensuring minor issues were promptly fixed.
“Finally, we moved into our new home, a culmination of careful planning, expert management, and collaborative effort. While intricate and sometimes challenging, the journey was ultimately rewarding.
“IQ helped us to navigate the complexities of building a new home with confidence and achieving the desired results.”
Would you like to know more? Give Tony a call for a free, no-obligation chat on 01959 533788.
Otherwise, please get in touch via the form on our Contact page.
This article also appeared in the June 2024 edition of Chislehurst Life magazine and its sister titles.