Full House: RedBook’s Contractor Selection
By Aidan Mortimer
RedBook started out by matching clients tackling renovation or building work at the top of the private residential market with design teams and technical specialists. But the most significant element of any project, in terms of time and money, will inevitably be the build itself. This is where the greatest challenges and risks lie. Clients increasingly ask us for recommendations of contractors who will be right for their project, which is why it is the obvious area for RedBook to step in and offer expert help.
A strong relationship between the various professional parties, builders and subcontractors is fundamental to the success of any project. Our founder, Sandy Mitchell, has often likened the process of appointing the right team as being akin to a movie director casting actors for a film. What typically happens is that a team comes together without necessarily having met or worked together before, so it is not surprising that, given this, things can go wrong, and when this happens, it is not just the client but everyone involved that suffers.
“Our team-driven collaborative approach with the early involvement of Partners, helps ensure everyone is in agreement on the final contractor selection so that projects start off on a positive footing.”
Part I – How we select contractors as Partners
The process of choosing contractors to become RedBook Partners is exhaustive. Here’s how it works.
Size: First, we look at the size of their business, including the company’s financial turnover and number of employees on staff.
Skills: Then—and this is critical—we assess the skills within the company. This involves interrogating the level of experience and qualifications within the site and project management teams as well as establishing which craft and technical skills are based within the company.
Strengths: Inevitably, contractors have particular strengths whether that’s working on listed buildings, in central London (a particularly challenging environment) or new-build country houses.
Suitability: Alongside the geographical reach, we will also investigate references from professionals who have worked alongside the contractor before to ensure the contractor is robust enough and has capacity.
Selection: RedBook finally discusses the contractor recommendations with its in-house projects team and Advisory Board to ensure that everyone agrees with the selections.
Finally: Nothing remains static—this information is refreshed periodically. And the contractor Partners are reviewed each year to ensure their continued suitability.
Part II – How contractors are selected for a project
We work with nearly 20 of the very best super-prime residential contractors, who are prequalified as previously detailed.
Pre-Selection: Based on the project requirements, we initially select up to five contractors that fit the project criteria.
Pre-Qualification Questionnaire, or PQQ: RedBook uses the PQQ to establish that the contractors have the necessary experience and qualifications to smoothly complete the job. The best three are then selected based on the following criteria:
- Availability and capacity
- Budget requirements
- Post PQQ interviews (experience/qualifications)
- Programme requirements
- Specifications and finishes requirements
- Testimonials from previous clients and partners
Beauty Parades: RedBook then arranges tours of relevant past projects proposed by the three shortlisted contractors, with the design team (including the architect, interior designer and project manager/quantity surveyor) present for the tour.
Interview: Following this, the client is invited to be part of the interview process alongside the appointed design team. If the client or the design team wish to see another contractor, this can be arranged.
Tender: Once concluded, and when construction information is available, RedBook will assist the project manager and quantity surveyor with assessing the tender.
Recommendation: Only when this process is completed would RedBook, alongside its design partners, recommend a contractor to be appointed by the client. We then advise on the procurement strategy and appointment contracts. Finally, we invite the clients to undertake a final interview and visit one or more past projects from the selected contractor before signing the contract.
Who benefits?
When a team works well together, the client is the ultimate winner. Taking on a significant project is emotionally charged and highly challenging; the patience required to tackle the multitude of micro-decisions to be made is significant. Our goal is to make the journey as smooth and enjoyable for the client as possible.
“By establishing a relationship between the client, the right design team and the right contractors as early as possible, the wider team wins too. Everyone is on an equal footing and there’s collective ownership of the project and the selection process.”
