Behind the Build: A Modern London Studio Fit-Out

We often try to keep clients away from the nitty gritty of a build. Most people want the finished space, not a running commentary on containment systems and cable routes. But there are times we simply can’t hide it. On an in-situ refurbishment, or with a genuinely hands-on client, people want to see the process and feel part of it. So here’s what actually happens behind the scenes on one of our fit-outs.

Design

The magic of what we do is the design, but the truth is the unglamorous side of what we do is also largely the design, and the designer. We build to the drawings. Clients love the visuals, but the build team love the detailed 2D drawings that mark out exactly where every socket, light and switch goes. When the drawings are watertight, so is the build. Nothing excites a build team more than a good set of drawings, because it removes the guesswork that causes delays and defects.

The sub-contractors

Around 80% of our jobs are delivered by the same team. Site managers, electrical, mechanical and build, all people we’ve worked with for 12 years. They know us and they know each other. We understand the regulations, they understand the quality we expect, and that familiarity is why our sites run well and why we can be aggressive with timelines without cutting corners. We design alongside these teams from an early stage and negotiate a price with them directly, then mark that up to the client to cover our management and quality control. The secret to hitting programme with minor snags and close to zero defects is a loyal, well-incentivised subcontractor base. We work with the best, and we intend to keep working with them.

Health and safety

We’ve seen sites, not ours, where health and safety is minimal at best. The risk simply isn’t worth it. We work with external consultants and run a dedicated focus on HSE requirements across our sites: PPE, risk assessments, site inductions, and a clear site with designated welfare and first aid areas. That’s what keeps a site running incident-free. Ultimately, site safety is the client’s responsibility, and the clearest way to meet that responsibility is by appointing a main contractor who takes it seriously. Fail to do that, and you’re preparing to fail.

Cost management

We’re appointed on fixed costs and fixed contracts, which is why we carry out detailed surveys before commencement and before contract. Fixing costs early protects the client from surprises later. It’s a fair way to run a project and one we’re proud of. Our risk, and our job, is making sure every cost is accounted for along the way, so there’s never a reason to go back to the client mid-project asking for more money. The skill, and where we make our margin, comes from getting the costs right at the earliest possible stage.

Building control

Our approved inspectors survey every site as we go, providing guidance and recommendations throughout. They’re there to make sure your project, and ours, is safe to inhabit once the build is complete. Behind every build is a team of professionals whose job is to check the finished space is safe long after we’ve left site.

A standard project for us can involve up to 15 trades working together to deliver it. If you’d ever like to see behind the scenes yourself, we’d be more than happy to have you along.