We have considerable experience in dealing with all kinds of land, property and development issues, and utilise our skills to unlock development potential and maximise your financial gain and/or improved use. We can assist with the whole process from option appraisal with regard to the most beneficial development, obtaining relevant statutory consents, preparing specifications for tender and contract adminstration of the project to completion.  We can if required act in a project monitoring role for a financial institution.  

We also act for prospective purchasers who have identified a site and require information on planning permission, construction costs, timescales and marketability.

Houses, Offices, factories, warehouses, hospitals, public buildings etc, exist to serve a need. Public Authorities and organisations have to balance the conflicting pressures on accommodation which may mean moving to a new building or extending, refurbishing and rationalizing the existing property.

Our services include as required: 

• Initial ideas;  
• Feasibility Studies;
• Option Appraisals; 
• Occupancy Analysis; 
• Life Cycle Costing; 
• Energy Conservation; 
• Design and Specifications; 
• Obtaining Statutory Consents; 
• Estimating and Obtaining Tenders;
• Complete Contract Administration

Works for new build, repairs, extensions, refurbishments and fitting out schemes utilizing the latest computer design and planning systems.  

We have specialist experience in acting as Employer's Agent,  Partnering Advice,  Section 106 Negotiations and Development Agreements for residential developments. 

Planning Permission

Planning permission is a complex area and can significantly increase the market value of land and/or buildings.  Planning permission and planning law are designed to control the development or use of land for the benefit of everyone in society. More than 10% of planning permission applications are refused therefore, it is important that the process is professionally managed.

We provide planning reports; making and objecting to planning applications; planning appeals; creating development briefs; planning enforcement; Listed Buildings; Flood risk Assessments; Environmental Impact Assessments; planning gain negotiations etc.

Development
 
We offer sound practical advice on all matters relating to the identification, realisation, valuation and marketing of land and buildings for development or redevelopment. Our experience and expertise can help clients through the complexities and hurdles of today’s development process, including planning, building regulations, environmental engineering, party wall, neighbourly matters and site assembly.  

Where a property owner elects not to pursue a planning permission and instead wishes to pass over the responsibility to a prospective purchaser we are experienced in negotiating arrangements for owner or developer whereby in return for a right to purchase the property, a developer undertakes the necessary work at their own risk.  

Such arrangements may include:

• Conditional contracts subject to obtaining outline planning permission, approval of reserved matters or full planning permission for a particular layout or density of development.
• Option agreements where, perhaps, there is a need to promote a site for development through an emerging development plan. This may be for a period of years,  and clearly needs to be carefully negotiated to protect the interests of both parties.

• Pre-emption agreements where in return for a right of first refusal, a developer agrees to promote an area adjoining one which he already owns/controls. 

Development Agreement
Egan principles discourage complex contracts, however, a contractual framework is required.  We produce Development/Build Agreements and procure suitable tendering.
 
Typical Project Lifecycle

Employers Agent

Often advantageous in design and build projects, we have experience in affordable, supported and sheltered housing schemes.  We can undertake sustainability and ecological surveys required for social landlords to achieve Housing Corporation funding - Building for Life, Housing Quality Index etc.

Client Representative
We can act as Client Representative where Local Authorities and Social Landlords partner with a contractor in line with Egan compliance.  Partnering is advantageous and works for New build and Refurbishment.  

Funding

Sustainability and Ecological surveys required for Social Landlords to achieve Housing Corporation funding, to include Building for Life, Sustainable Code Assessment and Housing Quality Index.

Partnering Advisor
For Local Authorities and Social Landlords on regeneration projects procured through Partnering. We participate in Architect, Client Representative and Contractor selection and management of the process on behalf of the Client in line with Egan compliance.  

Section 106 - Negotiations
We have considerable experience in procurement of schemes via Section 106 Agreements for  Housing Associations, Local Authorities and Developers. We have developed our own model agreement (Development/Build Agreement) to expedite matters to deal with the construction issues, thus leaving only site acquisition to the solicitors acting for each party.  We are practical and flexible which ensures a continuity of relationships. 

Portfolio

We specialise in development of residential projects in the Midlands and futher afield, with expertise in regeneration of areas to provide high quality sustainable residential property.  Our dual role as a Chartered Building Surveying Practice for circa 25 years is a massive advantage when combined with the creative side of the property profession.  Some examples of our portfolio are listed below:

	Westcliff-on-Sea 31 apartments, upgrade of building and grounds with addition of new third floor comprising seven new one and two bed apartments.
	Warwickshire Demolition of an existing bungalow for erection of six one and two bed apartments. Works in progress.
	Lancashire The site was formerly a farm building with ancillary buildings that had been partially demolished. We developed an affordable housing scheme of twenty three houses which was subsequently built for Homes England.
	London Six-storey period property converted into twenty-nine apartments prior and in need of extensive refurbishment, to include roof, walls, apartments, communal areas, external fabric and mechanical and eletrical installations in collaboration with management company.
	Croydon Period property converted into five self contained apartments, located in a conservation area. Sensitive development for loft conversion to form one bedroomed new apartment.
	London Derelict property comprising six apartments, extensive remodelling and refurbishment in collaboration with the management company.
	Lancashire Removal of run down garage and replacement with a pair of energy efficient 2 bedroomed 3 bathroom semi detached houses and landscaped gardens.
	Warwickshire Forming new access and erection of detached 2 bedroomed 3 bathroom bungalow with landscaped gardens.
	Warwickshire Infill development and conversion to provide 5 large one  bedromed apartments in close proximity to the town centre.

 
Our Approach

 
Our first priority is to understand your needs so that we can tailor our services to achieve the best value for money. 

We will then prepare a proposal which states clearly:

• Our understanding of your requirements
• The approach we will adopt
• The benefits you will obtain
• Our proposed fees

All of this is for discussion and agreement with you. We believe that successful projects result from a clear understanding of client requirements that are then implemented by high calibre and committed people. 

Contact us on 02476 347171 or email us for a FREE no obligation consultation

 

Project management as a specialist discipline has come of age in business as much as in construction. It's objective is the delivery of reliable outcomes with limited resources against a background of constant change.
 
Alderman Stone will deliver the client's brief in the fullest sense: to define the scope, agree targets, prepare a plan, pull together the necessary resources and lead the team through the process to a successful conclusion. We protect the client's interest at all stages.
 
Our expert professionals have strong client focus and an understanding of the value of property. Included in our service is 'value engineering' this is the act of breaking down each element of a project and ascertaining with alternative construction techniques or materials, cost savings for the same or quite often better end results.

We can project manage contractors already appointed by clients or act as contract administrator to ensure project objectives are met smoothly and with minimal dispute, duties to include:

• Client brief and feasibility 
• Consider and obtain statutory consents

• Preparation of draft specification and schedule of works
• Finalise specification with client 
• Vet contractors, obtain and analyse tenders
• Manage appointment of contractor and undertake site inspections
• Issue contract certificates and administer the contract including variations
• Certify final account
• Identify and manage the making good of defects
• Post project review and evaluation
• Certify final certificate

Project Recovery and Rescue / Insolvency

Growing sector reflecting the current market, restricted credit,  poor performance whilst material and labour prices rise.
 

Alderman Stone with extensive knowledge and expertise of materials, construction details and planning for optimal space use can 'rescue' projects and produce cost savings while increasing the capital value of the end result. Trouble shooting and value engineering where each element is broken down with alternatives analysed, forms the core of this activity and is where Alderman Stone excel.

We review the business case and apply as required: 

• Technical due diligence, including condition surveys and defect analysis
• Financial due diligence
• Interrogation of construction processes
• Assembly of a recovery plan
• Project management of the recovery plan, including employer's agent and contract administration
• Cost management of the recovery plan
• Arm's length monitoring of recovery services provided by others

Option Appraisals

We undertake strategic reviews and evaluation of project options in response to client's requirements. Report compares cost benefit/liability on net present value (NPV) basis and internal rate of return (IRR) allowing client to easily compare and be guided to the most suitable conclusion.

Our Approach

Our first priority is to understand your needs so that we can tailor our services to achieve the best value for money. 

We will then prepare a proposal which states clearly:

• Our understanding of your requirements
• The approach we will adopt
• The benefits you will obtain
• Our proposed fees

All of this is for discussion and agreement with you. We believe that successful projects result from a clear understanding of client requirements that are then implemented by high calibre and committed people. 

Contact us on 02476 347171 or email us for a FREE no obligation consultation

Planned and Preventative Maintenance
 
Maintenance of property portfolios is often low in the list of priorities, planned preventative maintenance is even more rarely considered.
 

Investigating and recording the condition of property can provide the basis to formulate and budget for the annual expenditure necessary to initially return the premises to a suitably repaired condition and to continue to keep it up to that standard;  therefore,  avoiding the often unforeseen, unplanned and difficult to finance, repairs which result from property which is left unattended.
 
Careful and correct analysis of building defects by an expert can often avoid time consuming abortive and ill considered remedies that frequently fail.
 
Major or minor defects either as a result of design, construction, or workmanship, create problems, annoyance, discomfort and loss of production to tenants, and often reduce the value of an investment. Investigation and rectification by a Building Surveyor, will prevent escalation and continuing deterioration and will restore the premises for the benefit of tenant and owner.
 
We investigate and record the condition of property using the latest technology and survey methods and implement cost effective planned and cyclical maintenance programmes.
 

• Condition survey to identify remedial works required in short term (1-5 years) and long term planning 5-20 years. Budget costs are included together with priority designation 1-4, for forecasting and budget allocation.

 Building Management Consultancy 
 
The management of property portfolios continues to undergo fundamental change, aimed at optimizing value and return.  We offer the following services for existing land and property:

• Quality and Technical Assurance 
• Performance Measurement and Continuous Improvement Targets
• Forensic, Compliance and Management Auditing and Post Project Reviews
• Maintaining, repairing and renewing asset bases
• Value Engineering Studies
• Life-cycle Property analysis of property portfolios or one-off investments
• Change management programmes and risk management studies
• Contract analysis and commercial negotiations
• Space planning for optimum use of floor area

Our Approach

Our first priority is to understand your needs so that we can tailor our services to achieve the best value for money.
 
 We will then prepare a proposal which states clearly:
 

Our understanding of your requirements

• The approach we will adopt
• The benefits you will obtain
• Our proposed fees

All of this is for discussion and agreement with you. We believe that successful projects result from a clear understanding of client requirements that are then implemented by high calibre and committed people.

​If you would like further no obligation advice or assistance with any aspect, please contact us