AVOID BEING ANOTHER HORROR STORY
We collate a list of what we call construction horror stories. We started this because its a good resource to point to when someone asks 'why do I need a quantity surveyor?' or 'why do I need a project manager?'. You need professional help because without someone watching out for your commercial interests you may get really hurt financially or experience a huge amount of stress.
So many people still do not invest in advice about their construction project. They reluctantly spend as little as possible on drawings and then look for the cheapest builder. This is the starting point of all construction horror stories.
This might sound a little harsh, but in the majority of cases, parties bring problems onto themselves by not being prepared and not managing their risk. If your builder does not perform or goes out of business it should not really affect your project or finances too much if you are prepared.
If you need some building works completed and you don't invest in professional advice and you hire the cheapest builder then all issues that stem from that decision is on you.
If you buy a wristwatch from a Rolex affiliated store you will expect a high quality experience, if you buy one from a market stall then you should expect a poor experience. If you can't tell the difference between the two, then you need professional help otherwise you may end up buying a market stall level product for a Rolex level price.
Stravelles provide advice to Clients so they can avoid the horror stories discussed here. Unfortunately, we have an endless supply of these stories and they keep coming every week.
We provide online courses to help set-up construction projects correctly before they start on-site. These include construction budgets, builder selection and contract preparation.
The idea being that the project is set-up correctly before you start the works and once you sign the contract you only need occasional advice from us again.
Construction cost management best practice for:
Architects, Quantity Surveyors, Clients and Contractors. We provide online courses and 'hands-off' advice for anyone who wants to learn to manage their construction costs and risks better. Whether you are a construction professional or a homeowner or property developer we can help!
Lets Chat about your learning requirements
As Chartered Quantity Surveyors and Project Managers, Stravelles specialise in managing the risk of construction (cost, time, bad people and more) helping you get your construction project finished.We can help Clients and Architects from afar through our online courses or we can provide occasional, timely advice complementing the Client, Architect, design and cost team. And while our courses are not aimed specifically at contractors they are still completely relevant and transferable to them.
Email us
If you just have a question and don’t need a call, simply email us using the link at the bottom of the page.This is the simplest way of contacting us. We can then respond by email and move on to arranging a ‘discovery call’ if you want or if there is a need.
Or arrange a video call or telephone call
If you want to move directly to booking in a ‘discovery call’, just use the form to arrange a phone call or video call on zoom. It takes less than a minute.To book this call in, simply use the form or here email us at info@stravelles.com
MINI COURSES- £19.99 each-LAUNCHING FEBRUARY 2023
Stravelles help people in construction with online courses and/or video calls or phonecalls with advice on their projects.
But we get that some people can't commit to a detailed online course and also some people are too anxious or unable to jump onto a call with us.
So, in order to help these people, we have a series of low cost, fast mini-courses.
Each course costs £19.99 and will save you at least £1,000 in a typical construction project.
The rules that we set for each mini course are that each course must:
- last less than 15 minutes
- cover just one key principle, action, strategy
- save the Client at least £1,000 in a typical construction project
- be affordable enough for the average person to take a chance on purchasing
ABOUT US
MAKING CONSTRUCTION BETTER
Stravelles is an online educational centre specialising in all things construction risk management including construction costs, contracts and financial management. It is aimed at property developers, property investors as well as consultants and people working in the construction industry.MAKING CONSTRUCTION BETTER
In 1994, the Latham Report 'Constructing The Team' criticised the construction industry as being unfit for purpose with not enough focus on Client satisfaction and welfare of the supply chain.Despite subsequent reports, commissions, committees, groups and legislation not a lot has changed.
Yes, progress has been made in that Adjudication has been successfully introduced as a dispute resolution procedure. The concepts of partnering, lean construction have in some cases been used successfully.
But its fair to say that the majority of peoples experience of construction could be improved —we collate a list of 'construction horror stories' of examples of failures within construction and we are not lacking source material!.
Stravelles focuses on doing our bit to making the industry better — we are especially focused on reducing issues and disputes in construction by tacking the actual causes of these events. We are idealists who want a construction industry full of people who love design, functionality and quality tradecraft.
OUR SOLUTION
We provide online courses & services specialising in construction budgets, contractor selection, dispute management, risk management, project management and so forth.Customers can either invest in a course or alternatively, direct advice from us over a zoom call or phonecall.
Generally, we encourage businesses in the construction industry to develop their skills and become the Client - become property developers and property investors.
And to occasional one-off Clients of the construction industry, we encourage extreme caution and preparedness to avoid financial and personal stress.
COURSE 1 - SOLVING DISPUTES
Our online course is all about preventing, managing and solving construction disputes with emphasis on construction adjudication.It is aimed at people who want to learn about eliminating the true causes of construction disputes as well as just solving them when they occur.
We look at the causes, the symptoms and the cure for construction disputes.
If you having a dispute we can advise you on the best way of resolving this dispute. Simply email us or book in a call.
FAQs
1How much is the course ?
Simply click on enrol now to see the current price of the course.
2How long is the course?
The course contains over 10 hours of material.
A lot of students simply pick and choose the areas that they most want to learn about.
3Why should an Architect invest in the course?
For Architects you learn how to recommend to Clients how to avoid disputes enhancing the value your provide to the Client.
Also, you learn about how you can use Adjudication clauses in your own contracts with the Client so disputes are resolved quickly and confidentially.
4Why should a homeowner or businessperson invest in the course?
For Clients/business owners/homeowners you learn how to avoid costly and lengthy disputes.
5Why should a builder/contractor/sub-contractor invest in the course?
For builders and contractors you learn how to avoid disputes with Clients and also how to protect your cashflow from rogue Clients
6How long do I have access to the course for ?
You will have access to the course for 12 months. If you have not completed the course by then you never will!
However, should you for whatever reason, required access again we will give you access for another year (at our discretion).
7How does the course work ?
The course is a series of articles and videos that guide you through the learning experience.
You can ask questions as you go.
8I have further questions
No problem. Just email us and we will get back to you shortly. We will try deal with your query by email and we can also arrange a phone or video call.
9What qualifications do you have ?
We are chartered quantity surveyors and cost consultants since 2007 with degrees in construction economics and management and post-graduate qualifications in Law and Project Management. We have represented dozens of Clients successfully in Adjudication in the UK. We are also experienced property developers/investors and enjoy refurbishing Victorian Era houses across the UK.
10What is Adjudication ?
Adjudication is an alternative dispute resolution procedure that offers a different approach to traditional forms of dispute resolution such as Arbitration and Litigation (the courts system)
11Who is Adjudication for?
Adjudication is for anyone who signs a construction contract. This could be the Client, the main contractor, the sub-contractor and even consultants. It is not for residential occupiers (people who will live in the property that is being built or worked on) unless they specifically sign up to Adjudication before the process begins.
12What are the Advantages of Adjudication ?
Advantages include relative speed, efficiency and low cost compared to Arbitration and Litigation (the courts system) with the process taking around 28 days from start to finish. The decision is binding in the interim which means the winning party obtain a summary judgement within days of the decision should the losing party not pay up. This helps the cash-flow of say a contractor who has not got paid or has had their payments unfairly reduced. Adjudication is also confidential with the process occurring away from the public courts and press/media.
13What are the Disadvantages of Adjudication ?
The main disadvantage is that like any formal dispute resolution procedure, you may lose your Client. However, if negotiation has failed and the Client will not agree, then what is the point of keeping that Client ? The process is more expensive and takes longer than simple, direct negotiation.
14What rules cover the Adjudication process ?
Adjudication for construction was introduced by the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 and the The Scheme for Construction Contracts (England and Wales) Regulations 1998. These were updated in 2011.
15What is the process/procedure of Adjudication ?
Once it is clear that a dispute cannot be solved through Adjudication, then one party to a contract can refer a dispute to Adjudication. Then (to summarise very broadly) both parties provide their arguments and counter arguments to the appointed Adjudicator who issues a binding decision. Should one party not abide by the decision the other party can apply for a summary judgement against that party within days.
16Is the adjudicators decision binding ?
The decision is binding to both parties. Each party must abide by the decision in the immediate interim. So for example if the losing party has to pay £50k then they must pay it. Should the losing party not pay up then the winning party can apply to the High Court for a summary judgement and enforcement order for payment. Getting an Adjudication related enforcement order takes a little under a week because it is fast-tracked.
17How much does Adjudication cost ?
Adjudication costs vary depending on the complexity of the dispute. An Adjudicator may charge about £5,000 for a standard adjudication but this could be more if the case is complex. If either side is using the services of a solicitor or barrister then these costs will be substantial. (both sides are responsible for their own costs only). There are several forms of adjudication which try and keep the costs down further.
18Can you challenge an Adjudicators Decision ?
In the legal world, you can challenge anything! However, in Adjudication you must abide by the decision in the immediate aftermath. Of course, you are entitled to pursue the dispute further through Arbitration or Litigation (the Courts System) but generally people don't. You can perhaps challenge an Adjudicators decision by alleging clear Bias towards one party but generally the High Court will enforce the decision. The Courts approach is to enforce the decision to keep confidence in Adjudication as a system and if you think that is unfair, well you have arbitration and then litigation to pursue your grievance.
19How do you become an Adjudicator ?
To become an Adjudicator you need to complete a one year post degree course. Then you have to find an referring organisation that will accept you as a member. A referring organisation is simply a group that has the right to appoint an adjudicator to a dispute when asked to by one of the parties. There are a lot of Adjudicators and competition for work is high so it may not be a reliable income generator for a freshly qualified Adjudicator.
20Should I hire a solicitor to represent me in an Adjudication ?
There are many well qualified solicitors and barristers who will do a great job acting in your interests in an Adjudication. However, in small, simple disputes, this may be like using a Ferrari instead of catching the bus — yes, if you have the money go for it, but if you are on a budget there is nothing stopping you from running your own adjudication. Our course is aimed at people who don't have the funds for legal representation and who feel they can represent themselves. Adjudication is supposed to empower the smaller person to fight for their rights, even if they don't have the funds to do so or the cash amount in the dispute is low.
21Can I just not participate in an Adjudication ?
If you receive a notice of intention to refer a dispute to adjudication and you choose to ignore it and not to participate in the process then the process will continue without you. The chances are you will lose the adjudication and a summary judgement will be made against you in the High Court. So its best to participate. You can object to Adjudication by challenging the Jurisdiction of the Adjudicator or by claiming that the Dispute has not crystallised yet. But if you are in a construction contract it will be hard to avoid unless you are a residential occupier.
22What makes a good Adjudicator ?
A good Adjudicator is someone who has a lot of experience in Construction plus experience and formal training in Adjudication. They must be aware of past and current case-law and avoid any accusations of bias.
23What is section 108 in Adjudication ?
Section 108 in Adjudication refers to Section 108 of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996. Section 108 deals with the rights to refer disputes to Adjudication and Section 108A deals with Adjudication costs and effectiveness of this provision.
COURSE 2 - CONSTRUCTION BUDGETS -LAUNCHING APRIL 2023
Our online course is all about understanding construction budgets with emphasis on construction early cost-planning.It is aimed at people who want to learn about setting realistic construction budgets at an early stage of the project.
We look at all the major elements of a construction cost plan and show you how to obtain accurate figures for each element.
If you require advice on construction budgets we can help. Simply email us or book in a call.
FAQs
1How much is the course ?
Simply click on enrol now to see the current price of the course.
2How long is the course?
The course contains over 10 hours of material.
A lot of students simply pick and choose the areas that they most want to learn about.
3Why should an Architect invest in the course?
For Architects you learn how to recommend to Clients realistic construction cost budgets for the designs you are creating.
4Why should a homeowner or businessperson invest in the course?
For Clients/business owners/homeowners you learn how to set realistic construction cost budgets for projects you are considering investing in.
5Why should a builder/contractor/sub-contractor invest in the course?
For builders and contractors you learn how to create realistic estimates for construction projects you are submitting prices for.
6How long do I have access to the course for ?
You will have access to the course for 12 months. If you have not completed the course by then you never will!
However, should you for whatever reason, required access again we will give you access for another year (at our discretion).
7How does the course work ?
The course is a series of articles and videos that guide you through the learning experience.
You can ask questions as you go.
8I have further questions
No problem. Just email us and we will get back to you shortly. We will try deal with your query by email and we can also arrange a phone or video call.
9What qualifications do you have ?
We are chartered quantity surveyors and cost consultants since 2007 with degrees in construction economics and management and post-graduate qualifications in Law and Project Management. We have represented dozens of Clients successfully in Adjudication in the UK. We are also experienced property developers/investors and enjoy refurbishing Victorian Era houses across the UK.
PAYMENT
Purchasing courses
To purchase a course you simply use your credit or debit card as you would any online product.All payments are handled through a company called Stripe which are well known. They handle the payment details and we only receive your email address. We don't receive or store any financial details such as credit card details.
If you do buy a course, simply wait for the email with the details of the course.
Other payments
If you need to make a payment for anything else simply click 'make a payment' and use your credit or debit card.Please not make any payment until we request payment from you by email. All initial discovery calls are free.