Wates projects 95% on time and budget

Wates is bringing in 95% of its projects within time and budget across its £20m p.a. framework alliance with Durham County Council.

The five-year agreement, which is entering the end of its first year, has seen 62 projects completed, 17 on site and a further 120 at feasibility stage.

Of the 62 projects, ranging from several thousand pounds to several million pounds in value, all of the projects came within 3% to 4% below the agreed maximum price set by the contractor and the council.

Wates' turnover to the end of August was valued at £1m a month, this has now increased to £2m a month as the contract unfolds.

The contractor hopes to increase this cost reduction to 20% by the time the contract comes up for a further two-year extension at the end of the five year period.

A total of 57 projects out of the 62 were delivered on time with the remaining contracts delayed due to additional works stated by the council.

"The successes have come from good relations with the council and our supply base," said Wates Construction's director for Leeds and Newcastle Ian Burnett.  "This has come from sitting down with the council and the subcontractors to understand the needs of the next batch of work and to plan it properly."

To this end, Wates employed three contractors to carry out work up to £500,000 and brought them into the business for a year to understand Wates' values on safety and quality.

"It's a unique approach which sees the contractors working under their own name but under Wates' ethos," said Burnett.