Complete internal refurbishment of continuously inhabited 12 storey office block. HBS were awarded this refurbishment contract by L B Havering due to their flexibility and value engineering considerations. They worked with the client from the very early stages to offer a range of innovative solutions on the design to ensure that materials used were cost effective without compromising their quality or durability.

Particular attention was focused on developing a rolling programme which allowed staff to continue working on some floors whilst refurbishment was carried out. This enabled staff to carry on with their work and move into the new floors as they were signed off for use. This flexibility extended to HBS carrying out any particularly noisy work outside of normal office hours.

The ‘can do’ attitude of the whole HBS team and partnering contractors meant that the individual floor programme could be amended to suit the staff and clients at short notice. The flexible working practices not only allowed the staff to go about their normal duties but more importantly caused no delays in the building programme nor additional costs to the budget.

The resulting attention to detail in procurement and programme enabled the entire building to be completely refurbished for the first time in 40 years. The staff now have a much improved working environment which is both modern and functional.