Retail Unit Refurbishment, Birmingham
Retail Unit Refurbishment Case Study
Project Brief
A main contractor needed an independent cost check for a high-street retail unit refurbishment in Birmingham city centre. The project involved a full strip-out, new shopfront, mechanical ventilation, customer areas and staff facilities.
The contractor had priced the job but wanted to verify their figures before submitting a fixed-price tender. They approached First4Estimating to provide an independent cost verification within a tight deadline, ensuring their submission was both competitive and realistic.
The Challenge
The contractor had a 5-day window to verify pricing before the tender deadline. The existing building had asbestos in the ceiling tiles requiring a licensed removal contractor, adding both cost and programme risk that needed careful assessment.
The new shopfront needed to comply with the local conservation area design guide, adding specification constraints that influenced material choices and detailing. These requirements had to be reflected accurately in the cost plan to avoid post-tender surprises.
Key challenge: Delivering a thorough independent cost verification within a 5-day tender window, while accounting for asbestos removal obligations and conservation area shopfront requirements that the contractor’s original pricing had not fully addressed.
What We Delivered
- Independent cost verification of the contractor’s existing estimate, checking rates, quantities and allowances against current market data
- Asbestos removal cost assessment and R&D survey recommendations to ensure compliance with CDM regulations
- Shopfront specification review against conservation area requirements, identifying necessary design adjustments and associated costs
- Bill of Quantities produced for sub-contractor tendering, enabling transparent and competitive procurement
- Separate PC sums for client fit-out items vs base build, giving clear cost separation for the end client
The Outcome
Our verification identified a £15,000 under-provision in the M&E package and a missing asbestos removal allowance. The contractor adjusted their tender accordingly and won the project. They completed the refurbishment on programme and on budget, avoiding the financial risks that would have materialised had the original pricing stood.
Client Testimonial
First4Estimating spotted errors in our pricing that would have cost us dearly. Their independent check gave us the confidence to submit a competitive but realistic tender. We won the job and delivered it profitably — that’s the best outcome you can ask for.