Overcoming challenges to exceed client expectations

The brief

Prendos was engaged by the Ministry of Education (MoE) to provide Engineer to Contract Services for the weathertightness remediation of the School Hall at Te Hapara School in Gisborne. Prendos was also engaged to provide Quantity Surveying services – reviewing progress claims and variations.

Our solution

The project presented some challenges, as a significant amount of asbestos contamination was uncovered, which had to be treated and disposed of in a safe manner. In addition, the COVID-19 lockdown meant the original 6-month contract had to be extended. Measures were implemented to allow the project team to work remotely, and bi-weekly meetings were held via Zoom – allowing works to continue behind the scenes to ensure we could hit the ground running when lockdown ended.

As Engineer to Contract, Prendos worked closely with the project team to ensure all requests for information and project variations were reviewed in a timely manner. As technical experts, we could complete thorough due diligence checks before issuing instructions promptly. In addition, every effort was made to reduce the associated implications of the COVID-19 lockdown on scope, time and cost, while ensuring highest quality standards were achieved at all times.

Our Quantity Surveyor reviewed all project costs submitted and provide substantial cost savings to the client before any instructions were approved or issued. As Engineer to Contract we made every effort to ensure the award of an extension of time was fair, reasonable and in the best interests of all project stakeholders.

The outcome

As Engineer to Contract, we adopted a collaborative approach and ensured the project team worked together to meet project objectives. We also ensured the proactive engagement of the MoE Quality Control team throughout the project, in order to achieve the quality standards required by the MoE. Through successful preplanning, communication and co-ordination with all project stakeholders, Prendos was able to assist the project team in delivering a high-quality building that met the users’ needs and exceeded the client’s expectations while overcoming the challenges presented during the initial project stages.

Location: Gisborne
Sector: Education
Services: Engineer to Contract, Quantity Surveyor
Prendos contact: Dirk Stahlhut – Director Project Management | [email protected]