November 2007

Knightstone Housing Association

Knightstone Housing Association is one of the largest independent providers of affordable homes in the South West of England, managing around 11,000 homes across 38 local authority areas.  Their main aim is to continue to deliver better quality, better value services to all of their 25,000 customers and to reinvest in the long-term maintenance of their homes, whilst delivering the good quality, good value services their residents require.  To achieve this they need to ensure they operate with a quality supply chain and CLC undertake refurbishment and painting works for them across the South West region.

One of the large scale refurbishment projects undertaken for Knightstone entailed the conversion of two Edwardian houses into nine one bedroom flats in Weymouth.  The programme was scheduled over a 14 week timescale.

At the contract briefing it was made clear that the properties had been occupied by drug users, so because of this CLC contracted one of their approved subcontractors to undertake a specialist needle removal programme before accessing the site.

When cleared, CLC undertook a site inspection where it became clear that major structural alterations not detailed during the pre contract briefing were required.  CLC worked with Knightstone and the associated architect to develop the layout and specification required to achieve a successful outcome.

After the structural alterations had been carried out the extensive works programme commenced.  Scaffolding was erected around the entirety of the three storey building in order to enable the modernisation works to the roof, windows and guttering to take place.  There were major internal works to the old building including soundproofing, insulation, electrical installations, new fire alarms, centrally located digital TV system feeding all flats, new doors, kitchens and bathrooms to comply with the Decent Homes standard and the decoration of all internal areas.
 
CLC ensured a seamless works process with the outcome seeing Knightstone provided with nine self sufficient one bedroom flats, completed on time to ensure their residents endured as little inconvenience as possible.  CLC also assisted with moving the residents back into the properties to minimise the need for extra labour and cost. 

The result was a client that had received a service over and above expectations, with their satisfaction with the outcome evidenced in the fact CLC were instantly contracted for a further block of five flats on completion of the initial programme.