HHT Heskin Court - Construction of New Homes

Client: Halton Housing Trust

Value: £600,000

Programme: 28 weeks

Challenge: 

Traditionally, HHT outsourced the construction of its new homes to main contractors. However, this method only allows for minimal input from themselves post design stage. For this scheme, an innovative design, a fast approaching completion deadline and the desire by the client to ‘self-deliver’, gave way to a new approach. 

With Halton Housing Trust acting as both the client and main contractor, HHT chose Sterling as their partner to help them achieve their project goals. Sterling were procured to provide management assistance services in addition to the completion of various work packages in the construction of 8x new homes. 

Work packages included but were not limited to:

• Site strip and site preparation

• Foundation installations

• Drainage installations incl. attenuation

• Joinery

• Drylining and Plastering

• Decoration

• Tiling

• External Works incl. kerbing, paving & landscaping

• Fencing

• Road Surfacing

Solution: For this innovative scheme, half of the homes were constructed using a modular solution, and the other half using timber frame. Both of these packages were procured directly by HHT using specialist subcontractors. With the exception of the M&E installations, which were installed by HHT’s framework M&E contractor, all other works were completed by Sterling. Despite only being contracted as a subcontractor on the scheme, Sterling provided a constant present on site throughout the build, assisting the site manager, providing guidance as required and overseeing and organising all aspects of the project.

Client benefits: Having previously provided a similar project partnership role for the client, HHT were confident that Sterling were both comfortable and capable of undertaking such an unusual role and working relationship. Having provided the lowest bid price during competitive tender, the client was then confident they were to receive a quality service at the best price possible. All works packages were completed within budget and to a high quality. Furthermore, HHT benefited from Sterling’s project management experience and guidance throughout, enabling them the opportunity to use the project to train members of their own staff and enable them to gain experience of a larger project that otherwise would not be possible.