Westdale installed a full External Wall Insulation system to 153 properties, including replacement flat roofs to garages, replacement windows and external doors.
The replacement windows required us to board up the lower part of the lounge windows that previously went to floor level, and make internal adjustments with radiators accordingly. We replaced plasterboard and completed plastering within the properties, replacing skirting boards and window sills. Roofline extensions were required to accommodate the increased wall thickness due to the EWI installation and some ACM’s were detected and removed in accordance with Asbestos Handling regulations.
We offered four different colour ways in the dash finish, which was top coat of the EWI system from Wetherby Building Systems Ltd.
Key Challenges
As it was necessary to enter into the properties to facilitate the works, as a result of the replacement windows to the properties and alterations we needed to do to the lounge window size; a key challenge we experienced with the tenants was their feelings of our intrusion into their private space.
We overcame this by being very understanding of their privacy and their needs, and through good communication. We detailed to residents what we were doing, why and how long it would take, along with what we expected from them. We always made sure that they knew when we were calling, with suitable notice, and that they had an opportunity to move any personal and private items.
If residents had trouble moving furniture items themselves, we would provide assistance. We were sensitive to the invasion our work may present to them, and if necessary, completed our works in two visits so they had the chance to move items in half the house in one visit and the second half in another visit.
Integrated Project Team
From the outset of the project, Westdale appoint a team to manage and run the project, which consisted of a Project Manager, Site Manager (SMSTS accredited), a Tenant/Resident Liaison Officer, a Quantity Surveyor and a Site Facilitator. We also have a dedicated Health & Safety Manager (NEBOSH qualified), who has a NEBOSH qualified assistant.
This team was introduced to the Nuneaton & Bedworth Council team, and relevant roles and responsibilities were explained, along with contact numbers and email addresses. The N&B team exchanged contact details and regular site meetings were scheduled and minuted. We had a very good relationship with the N&B team, working together to ensure that any tenant concerns were addressed in a timely manner. Tenants and N&B were kept updated by approved communications and information booklets, which assisted both teams in ensuring the smooth progress of the project.
Management Reports
Westdale raised a number of contemporaneous reports during the course of the project, which track progress, financial position against contract sum, customer satisfaction and issues raised. These reports enable the client to regularly review how the project is progressing against programme & budgets. We incentivised tenants to complete the Customer Satisfaction forms by holding a prize draw to select a winner from the returned forms.
Sustainability
Our EWI works were installed in accordance with PAS 2030 quality checks. This ensures that the property is thermally enhanced for a long period of time, reducing the heat loss through the walls, and reducing the tenant’s bills to heat the property. Their carbon footprint is considerably improved. The system can also reduce damp and therefore can provide health benefits to the residents who suffer from asthma and breathing issues.
Boarding used was sourced from Sustainable Sources– FSC Certified. Tiles removed from the front of the properties were not sent for landfill, instead they were taken to a specialised recycling plant where they were crushed and re-used in road making etc.
Offcuts from insulation boards were not placed in the skips either, they were segregated, collected by the supplier and compressed to be recycled. This reduced the amount of skips that were needed on site (which cuts down vehicles and emissions) and reduced the waste going to landfill. Removed windows are fully recycled. The uPVC frames are sorted and collected weekly by Eurocell. The glass is placed in skips collected by a local skip company, where it is crushed for use in road re-surfacing aggregate.
We are slowly changing our company cars over to all electric, or plug-in hybrids as part of our aim to reduce our carbon emissions. We have subsequently undertaken 2 additional refurbishments schemes for NBBC, with a similar scope of works, refurbishing 120 Solid Wall properties 2020/21 and commencing another scheme of over 180 Non Trad & Solid Wall properties in July 2021.
