Homeowners
Extensions, loft conversions and refurbishments, and reinstatement after fire, flood, escape of water or subsidence.
Construction project management
Your project, properly managed.
Project management for any construction project: extensions, refurbishments, HMO conversions, fit-outs and insurance reinstatement. Designed, measured, specified and priced before work starts, so there are no nasty surprises later.
01480 584949Mon–Fri 8am–7pm
Everything priced before work startsEvery contractor prices the same thingEvery payment certified against work done
Before anyone starts on site
Priced before work starts. No nasty surprises later.
Most overspends start before the first trade arrives: drawings that are not finished, items nobody listed, and quotes that price different things. We sort that out first, so you know what you are paying for before you sign.
- 1
Design, led
We organise and lead the design team (architect, structural engineer, building control) so the drawings are complete before anyone prices them.
- 2
Bill of quantities
Every item measured and listed, so nothing is left out of the price and turns up later as an extra.
- 3
Specification
The materials and finishes written down, so you get what you chose, not a cheaper substitute.
- 4
One tender package
Drawings, quantities, specification and programme sent to every contractor in the same form.
- 5
Apples for apples
Every contractor prices exactly the same work, so you can compare the quotes line by line.
- 6
Budget kept
Our quantity surveyor keeps an eye on the budget all the way. Any change is priced and agreed with you before it is done.
Who we work for
Any construction project. One project manager, on your side.
When several trades work in sequence, someone has to plan it, price it, check it and keep everyone to it. Servante is appointed by you and works for you at all times.
Landlords and HMOs
HMO conversions and upgrades built to the standards your council licence asks for, and refurbishments between tenancies.
Businesses and developers
Shop, office and unit fit-outs and small developments, where the budget and the programme both have to hold.
What we do
Everything a project needs, managed.
We manage the whole project, from the first drawing to the handover file. We carry out the measured survey and the quantity surveying ourselves, and bring in specialists when the project needs them.
01
Project management
One point of contact. We set the programme, run the site meetings and send you regular progress reports.
02
Design management
We organise and lead the architect, structural engineer and building control, so the design is complete before pricing.
03
Measured surveys
We measure the property and record its condition, and arrange damp, asbestos and structural surveys when needed.
04
Bill of quantities
Every item measured and listed. Our quantity surveyor keeps the budget in check from first price to final account.
05
Specification and tenders
Materials specified, one tender package for every contractor, and the quotes compared like for like.
06
Organising the works
Contractors' accreditations and insurance checked, permissions and building control in place, every trade in order.
07
Accommodation
Somewhere suitable to stay while the works run, and accommodation for site teams on projects away from home.
08
Certified payments and quality
Work inspected and valued on site, then certified before each payment. Snagging fixed before the trades leave.
Why use a project manager?
Six reasons it pays to have one.
"There's never enough money to do it right in the first place, but there's always enough money to put it right afterwards."
- 1
No nasty surprises
Everything designed, measured, specified and priced before work starts.
- 2
Like-for-like prices
One tender package, so every contractor prices the same thing and the quotes can be compared line by line.
- 3
Your budget, watched
Our quantity surveyor checks every quote, change and invoice against the bill of quantities. Changes are priced and agreed with you first.
- 4
The right people
Contractors' accreditations and insurance confirmed before they start. Permissions and building control in place.
- 5
Paid for work done, checked for quality
Each stage inspected and valued on site, then certified before payment. Nothing paid ahead of the work.
- 6
Paperwork complete
Certificates, warranties and sign-off documents checked and put in one handover file for you.
How it works
Four stages. Priced before work starts.
From the first drawing to the handover file. We will never promise a date. We tell you what we are waiting for and from whom.
I
Design and survey
Measured survey, design team led, building control and the specialist surveys the project needs.
Before any worksII
Quantities and tender
Bill of quantities, specification, one tender package, quotes compared like for like, contractor appointed.
Before any worksIII
Works on site
Site visits, quality inspections and progress reports. Changes priced and agreed with you in writing first.
Valued, certified, then paid
IV
Completion and handover
Snagging, certificates and sign-off documents, the final account and your handover file.
Final certificateBefore every payment
What you receive.
You see the certificate first. Payment is released by you, or whoever pays on your behalf, only after it. Servante never holds your money.
Payment certificate
| Project | Two-storey house, escape of water |
| Certificate | No. 04 |
| Stage | III · Works on site |
| Work valued on site | £ [amount] |
| Less previous certificates | £ [amount] |
| Extras | Agreed with you in writing |
| Certified for payment | £ [amount] |
| Signed by | Independent chartered surveyor |
Work inspected against the specification
Quantities measured on site
Contractor's insurance in date
Building control visit recorded
Photographs before work is covered
Snagging list updated
One certificate before every payment. All certificates go into your handover file.
- 01Complete drawings, a bill of quantities and a specification.
- 02Like-for-like quotes, contractors vetted, the programme agreed.
- 03Regular progress reports and a record of each inspection.
- 04A payment certificate before each payment.
- 05One handover file: certificates, warranties, sign-off documents.
Who does what
Who checks the work?
You make the decisions. Servante manages the project and certifies each payment. The contractors carry out the works.
YouAppoint Servante and make the decisionsYour own written appointment, separate from the building contract.
ServanteSurveys, plans, organises and inspectsMeasured survey, quantities, programme, quality checks.
The contractorsDo the worksVetted first, then in the order the programme sets.
Surveyor who signsSigns every certificateAn independent chartered surveyor working with us.
PaymentReleased only after the certificateBy you, or whoever pays on your behalf.
The surveyor who signs
Every certificate is signed off by an independent chartered surveyor working with us. Nobody else can sign, change or withdraw a certificate.
Appointment and fee
Appointed by you. Agreed before we start.
Your appointment
Servante is appointed by you, under its own written appointment for your project: a separate agreement from the building contract. Servante manages the project; it does not handle insurance claims. You may appoint any competent project manager you choose.
How the fee works
Our project-management fee is agreed separately in your appointment: typically a percentage of the works value plus VAT, scoped for this project. Where your insurer funds a project manager as part of the reinstatement, it is sought from your insurer. If it will not, we agree the exact cost with you in writing before we start.
Invoiced directly, with VAT.
Damp surveys
Dry before it is closed up.
After drying, and again after completion, so you know the building is dry before it is closed up and handed back.
01480 584007What does Servante do?
Construction project management. We lead the design, measure the property, prepare the bill of quantities and specification, run the tender so every contractor prices the same thing, organise the works and somewhere to stay, inspect the quality, and certify each payment against the work done.
What kind of projects do you manage?
Any construction project: extensions, loft conversions, refurbishments, HMO conversions, shop and office fit-outs, small developments and insurance reinstatement.
Why does a bill of quantities matter?
It lists every item of work, measured. Every contractor prices the same list, so the quotes can be compared like for like, and anything missing is found before work starts, not on site.
Are you surveyors?
We are project managers. We carry out measured surveys and quantity surveying as part of managing your project, and bring in specialist surveyors (damp, asbestos, electrical, structural) when the project needs them.
Who does Servante work for?
You. Servante is appointed by the customer, under its own written appointment, and works for the customer at all times.
Can you arrange somewhere to stay?
Yes. Where you cannot stay at home while the works run, we can arrange somewhere suitable, and accommodation for site teams on projects away from home. Who pays for it is agreed before anything is booked.
How do you choose the contractors?
Before anyone starts, we check their accreditations and insurance, confirm permissions and building control are in place, and agree the programme.
When is work paid for?
Only after it has been valued on site, inspected against the specification and certified. You see the certificate first. Payment is released by you, or whoever pays on your behalf, only after it.
How much does it cost?
The fee is agreed separately in your appointment: typically a percentage of the works value plus VAT, scoped for your project. Where the project manager forms part of the reinstatement, it is sought from your insurer. If the insurer will not fund it, you agree the exact cost before we start.
Do I have to use Servante?
No. You may appoint any competent project manager you choose.
How long will the works take?
Every project is different, and we will never promise a date. We tell you what we are waiting for and from whom.
Can I cancel?
Yes. If you sign your appointment at home or online, you have 14 days to cancel without giving a reason. If you ask us to start within those 14 days and then cancel, you pay only for the work done up to then. Your right to cancel
Talk to us
Tell us about the project.
01480 584949- 1You tell us about the project, by phone or with this form.
- 2We visit, measure and look at what the project needs.
- 3Your appointment and the fee are agreed before we start.
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Servante Limited
Privacy notice
Who we are. Servante Limited (company no. 13305275), Future Business Centre, Kings Hedges Road, Cambridge CB4 2HY, is the controller of the personal information you give us. Questions about your information: info@servanteltd.co.uk.
What we collect. Your name, phone number, email address, the postcode of the property and what you tell us about your project. If you appoint us, also the details we need to manage the project for you.
Why we use it. To reply to your enquiry and prepare a proposal, to manage your project once you appoint us, to meet our legal, tax and insurance duties, and to run our business properly. We do not send marketing unless you ask us to.
Who we share it with. Only those who help us provide our service, such as our email, IT and website providers, and the professionals and contractors on your project where you have agreed. We never sell your information.
How long we keep it. Enquiries that do not go ahead: up to two years. Project records: six years after the project ends, for tax and legal reasons.
Your rights. You can ask to see, correct or delete your information, to restrict or object to how we use it, or to have a copy to move elsewhere. Email info@servanteltd.co.uk. If you are not happy with how we handle your information, you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office: ico.org.uk, 0303 123 1113.
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Servante Limited
Your right to cancel
If you sign your appointment at home or online, you have 14 days to cancel without giving a reason. If you ask us to start within those 14 days and then cancel, you pay only for the work done up to then.
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Servante Limited
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Servante Limited
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