When you are delivering a major residential tower development, every square metre matters.
That was the challenge facing the asset management team behind Liverpool Waters, one of Liverpool’s most ambitious multi-phase residential developments. With hundreds of apartments and parking spaces being built over a 12-month period, ensuring every unit matched the approved design was not just a box-ticking exercise. It was essential to protecting the project from costly disputes, delays and potential financial penalties.
Plowman Craven was appointed to provide independent area measurement and validation across the scheme. This gave the client complete confidence that what had been built matched what had been agreed.
Rather than waiting until the end of the project to carry out checks, our team worked alongside the construction programme from the outset. Over the course of nine site visits, we returned to Liverpool as apartments became ready for measurement. At each phase of the build, we validated floor areas and parking spaces.
This phased approach proved invaluable.
By measuring units as they were completed, the asset management team was able to identify any discrepancies early, while there was still time to act. That meant contractors could address issues before they became expensive late-stage problems. As a result, this helped to avoid rework, delays at handover and the risk of contractual penalties.
The project also demanded flexibility. Apartments became available at different times, often with limited notice, meaning site visits had to be carefully coordinated around the realities of a live construction environment. Close collaboration with the client’s project manager ensured surveys were scheduled efficiently. In addition, this reduced wasted travel and made sure apartments were ready for inspection on arrival.
Behind the scenes, consistency was key. Each visit followed the same robust and repeatable measurement process, creating a reliable audit trail as the development progressed. After every site visit, Plowman Craven issued an updated report. This gave the client clear visibility of the verified areas and confidence in the accuracy of the build.
By the end of the programme, all of the interim data had been brought together into one definitive report, a single source of truth for the completed development.
The final report provided independently verified evidence that the apartments and parking spaces had been constructed in line with the agreed designs. Beyond supporting project handover, it also created a valuable record for future asset management, legal transactions and sales.
For the client, the benefits were immediate:
- Early identification of area discrepancies before they became costly problems
- Reduced risk of contractual penalties and disputes
- Independent assurance that the build matched the approved design
- A clear, auditable record for future transactions and asset management
- Responsive support throughout a long-term, phased construction programme
The success of Liverpool Waters has already led to further commissions on similar residential tower schemes in other UK cities. This reinforces Plowman Craven’s reputation as a trusted partner for high-rise residential developments.
Because when projects are this complex, confidence comes from knowing every detail – right down to the last square metre – has been independently verified. For more detailed info on this case study read here: https://plowmancraven.com/case-study/liverpool-waters/
If you are managing a complex development and need confidence that what has been built matches what was designed, our Asset Management team can help. Whether you are looking for independent area verification, support during construction or a reliable record for future transactions, get in touch with the Asset Management team via our contact page with your enquiry. They will quickly advise how they can help: https://plowmancraven.com/contact-us/
