Limehouse, London, E14
Lamberts Chartered Surveyors have been managing this estate since 2010 and early in the management, residents started to raise concerns with the hardwood decking to their balconies. Despite the estate being just over 10 years old, extensive decay was discovered to many of the balconies resulting in the need to undertake emergency repairs in some cases.
Lamberts Building Consultancy Department were instructed by the Management Company to specify the replacement of the balcony decking and handrails in conjunction with external redecoration of the estate. One of the specific requirements of the Management Company was to specify a timber from sustainable sources certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) along with a requirement to have a life expectancy in excess of 50 years. Following selection of a number of tropical hardwoods with specialist advice obtained from the Timber Research and Development Association (TRADA), Ecochoice a FSC registered timber importer was selected as the timber supplier and a final choice of Opepe was made. Opepe is an African sourced hardwood from a sustainable forest.
A detailed specification and drawings were prepared and following tender, Beckford Contractors Ltd were selected as the main contractor. Whilst a few issues occurred during the contract including snapping of the self drilling screws specified as compatible for hardwood, which required further testing of alternative fixings to find a suitable replacement, the project was still completed on time and within budget for the specified works.
Value: £1,200,000
Contract Period: 40 weeks
Main Contractor: Beckford Contractors Ltd