Launchpadd’s services specialise in the ‘front-end’ (or first steps) of a project, for example: Business Case, Strategy, Brief Writing, Consultation, Architectural Feasibility, Concept Design & Design Development, up to and including Detailed Planning Applications and consent; essentially RIBA Plan of Work Stages 0 to 2/3.
Public or Private Sector?
We are in the Public Sector.
How can Launchpadd help?
From 1st January 2022, if you are a public sector body with a Capital Project exceeding £4.7 million you may have to procure the project consultant team through the government Find a Tender Service (FTS). This is time consuming, generally 3-4 or more months before the team is on board.
Time is important, as most government funded projects have funds allocated to them which need to be spent by a deadline and, in the case of education projects, need to be delivered to suit the academic year.
Launchpadd can save you time and get your project off the ground straight away. We can get you to an Outline or Detailed planning submission without having to go through the OJEU process, and you can still select your post planning team at the same time using FTS.
How?
In the Public Sector, Government procurement rules stipulate that a ‘Service Contract’ (such as architectural design and associated professional services) needs to be procured through FTS if that service contract is likely to exceed £213,417 (which a detailed planning application may well). An architectural or ‘packaged’ service from Launchpadd (including other necessarily consultants) up to a detailed planning submission will often be way, way less than £213,000.
Why not just use one of the consultant Frameworks?
A Framework is an option, however the process can be restrictive in terms of which consultant works for you, can take time if you want more choice, and can be more costly in the long run.
Contact us to talk about any of this in the context of our recent projects. In the unlikely event that a service contract was likely to exceed the threshold, we will be straight up and tell you on day one, so that you can consider other procurement options.
We are in the Private Sector.
In the Private Sector you can appoint whom you please, there are no constraints other than your own. If you want an excellent service and value for money then Launchpadd can help you.
Why Launchpadd is a solution for you.
These days the cost of running a mainstream consultancy have ballooned out of proportion to the services and processes provided. The ‘business focus’ has become all-consuming in many ways. Overheads, property and staff costs for traditional business can be huge. Businesses become bloated.
Consultancies also continue to believe they need to ‘do everything’, even as the process of designing and delivering buildings becomes ever more complex. Doing everything is a problem because there is too much to know about building buildings, even more so with the advent of BIM (Building Information Modelling). Launchpadd on the other hand, is focused on what we do well, which is the front-end of the design and delivery process up to outline or detailed planning.
Another problem for mainstream consultancies is to do with skill sets. So often Principals in the mainstream focus on running a business and managing people and process, rather than using the skills they were trained for ‘at the coal face’. Many of the most experienced professionals in the construction industry get sucked into management and administrative roles and the actual service delivery gets watered down via less experienced staff and wrapped up in process which reduces quality and value. This doesn’t happen at Launchpadd, we are lean, the Principals are at the coal face.
With the advent of new technologies such as BIM, Modern Methods of Construction and the focus on ‘Digitally Built Britain’, things in construction are changing dramatically and at a fast pace. Launchpadd is a technology based consultancy making the most of this digital revolution. We have minimal overheads and make the most of new technologies and so have maximum, real experience time to spend with clients and get the job done quickly. Our service isn’t cheap, but it’s ‘cheaper’ than the mainstream; which is why we are better value for money for our clients.
What’s the rub?
There isn’t one. But, we can only handle a few projects at a time so that we can focus totally on giving a service. So, if you have something in mind, get in touch as soon as you start thinking about it…
How else can Launchpadd help at the early stages in a project?
We can help you with looking at project procurement options and Cost Planning and Value Management, in fact complete pre planning consultant teams for projects up to planning application stage.
What about post planning approval? Can I still use Launchpadd’s services?
Yes, but this is limited to our specialisms.
After planning approval, a development project is typically procured through Design & Build; which has never worked for clients in terms of best value.
So, you can if you wish, retain Launchpadd as Client Advisor or Design Development Advisor to act for you post contract, if D&B is the route for you. We can oversee the design development and delivery of your project, rather than you trying to rely upon a consultant architect who used to be your friend, but is now working for the contractor!