Broad perspective

Given Summerset by the Park's forward-looking design, elements of the project were refined and improved along the way. Maintaining the overall budget while accounting for these refinements, together with several site-specific cost issues, was the challenge deftly managed by quantity surveyor Maltbys

Maltbys has worked effectively in collaboration with Summerset Retirement Villages for over 10 years now, says director Gary Townsend.

"This project alone has been under consideration for several years," says Townsend. "Given the requirement to fast track the project, trade budgets were derived from the cost plan, and each package competitively tendered as the design for each was completed.

"This enabled the earliest possible start on site, and ultimately meant a saving of both time and cost for the client, and by extension the future residents."

Besides the progressive letting of the works, there were individual elements that had to be factored in along the way.

"The lay of the land itself was one aspect when it came to excavating for the basement carpark, both poor bearing capacity soil together with a high water table had to be addressed," he says. "As a result, the main buildings were piled, ensuring a solid, stable end build.

"In addition, a purpose-specific complex has its own design issues, creating challenges that Maltbys had to address to find a cost-effective solution within budget."

For details, contact Maltbys, phone (09) 303 4394. Website: www.maltbys.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas