Ensuring compliance across the commercial sector

Ensuring compliance across the commercial sector

A knowledgeable and collaborative building control partner is vital in making sure that operations proceed without hold-up, and that all compliance obligations are reliably met. We understand that partners embarking on commercial-sector projects need an experienced and trusted specialist who will support them from concept to completion.

How we define commercial sector projects

Many of the non-residential projects we undertake are classed as part of our commercial portfolio. This includes fit-outs and new builds. The buildings involved may be offices, shops, industrial units or hotels. Public spaces like hospitals, schools and universities are also included.

Whatever the specifics of your project, you will get the same professionalism, attention to detail and collaborative support from our team.

We understand your priorities

Commercial projects often have tight and fixed deadlines. We see a clear trend in increasing use of off-site modern methods of construction (MMC) such as the modular approach. This sees factory-made modules completed off site and then transported to site for quick assembly, something which can cut programmes by half or even more. MMCs can cut risk as well as timelines: much less work is subject to weather delay, for example. We are as familiar with MMC construction as the traditional approach and can draw on our experience to advise you on everything from initial design to practical on-site completion.

Organisations are increasingly likely to have sustainability goals that they see as central to their mission. Regulation in this area is increasingly strict, too. We can advise you with confidence about your obligations here, so you are well prepared to meet requirements. Certain aspects of the Building Regulations have seen recent changes: parts F, L, and S relating to ventilation, fuel and power conservation, and EV infrastructure respectively.

From April 6, 2024, we will become a Registered Building Control Approver (RBCA) under the Building Safety Regulator (BSR). Our team is actively working towards gaining accreditation in the relevant classes so that we can continue supporting our clients’ commercial projects without interruption.

Our own mission centres on being a collaborative partner to each of our clients. We frequently support you from an early stage in project planning, and then work with you to inform if compliance with regulations has been achieved.

In all of this, we draw on our extensive experience in a broad range of past projects, meaning we can advise and support with sure confidence whenever needed. Above all, we understand that compliance is key. Building control is a profession currently experiencing change, making it extra important to secure a partner who is thoroughly versed in every aspect of the building regulations themselves, and the evolving systems that ensure those regulations are met.

Case Studies

The Hop Exchange is a grade II listed building in South London. Originally a centre for hop trading by brewers, it is now an office building. Our involvement on the project includes the infill of an existing loading bay, an extension of the central block, the addition of two rooftop storeys, a replacement of a 1970s rooflight, and refurbishment of the East Wing.

V-Park, Grand Union, London. Grand Union is a major new canalside development in Wembley, V-Park being a new industrial and warehouse space within it. On this £40 million project, we are providing building control for construction of the six-storey structure, which features ground-floor and first-floor parking, plus four levels of workshop and storage spaces.

Ashford International Studios is a current multi-purpose development in Kent. As well as film studios, the project will see the creation of a hotel, car park and apartments, plus a retail, gym and hospitality space. On this four-year project, we are collaborating with developer Quinn Estates, providing building control services throughout the work.

Oval House is a 95-bedroom hotel in South London, the building in question previously being the Ovalhouse theatre. Working with architectural practice Rolfe Judd and main contractor Bennett Construction, we oversaw the conversion of the building to its new, hospitality-sector use.

“It’s a privilege to be asked to participate in such a wide range of ambitious and exciting commercial-sector developments,” comments Harwood Commercial Director Ben Cheeseman. “Whatever the specifics of the project, we look forward to working closely with our partners, supporting them in the confident and compliant implementation of their vision.”

 

To speak to a member of the Harwood team about your next commercial project, please email enquiries@harwood.uk.com or use our contact page.