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Larger projects will typically involve a more varied skills requirement as well as higher expertise levels. The more money is involved in a project the more important it becomes to manage the construction process efficiently. Ussually a project will be managed by a General Contractor or building company which will coordinate the overall efforts of multiple suppliers and liais with the client. This general contractor would make use of subcontractors such as electrical contractors or mechanical contractors to handle various specialist aspects of the project.

It is important to choose a general contractor who has both a great reputation with their clients as well as the sub-contractors. When choosing a company to head up your construction project ask them to give details on similar projects that they may have done before. For example if they have worked primarily with retail fit-outs then they might not be ideal to head up a factory instillation.

Find out how the general contractor sources their sub-contractors. For example: do they only use certified electrical contractors from your region? Have they worked with a specific contractor on any other projects? Broadly speaking a general contractor would be responsible to managing sub contractors as well as negotiating terms with them regarding work practice and safety procedures.

All workers involved in a construction project will be subject to health and safety regulations in your region. Overall safety and health concerns would best be insured by the main building company or contractor such as protection from slips and falls, adequate protective barriers, air quality management where appropriate. Where a specific hazard falls into a specialist realm then added protection need to be ensured. For example where the potential for electric shock exists then it would be best if the electrical contractor was insured or adhered to national standards such as the Electrical Contractors Safety Association (ECSA) in Ireland or the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) in the UK.

So selecting experienced parties that are licensed and insured are pivotal parts of any construction project whether you are dealing with a new construction, building maintenance or the renovation of an existing setup.

Setting Up a Contract or Proposal:

Establishing expectations for all parties concerned can be time consuming but is a very necessary part of any project. It becomes especially important in larger construction projects as miscommunications can lead to animosity and loss of income to the client, the general contractor, sub contractors or – in the worst cases – all parties involved.

Scope of work needs to be outlined in a contract along with costing and reasonable timelines. Include milestones for the project as well as who is responsible for delivering these milestones and what procedures followed when if it becomes apparent that the time or cost projections will not be met. Outlining who is responsible for cleanup and protection of existing structures should not be overlooked as it directly impacts the definition of when a project is ‘finished’.

Payment terms need to be agreed to before any work is agreed to. There are often also unforeseeable additional costs in any construction project. These are often called ‘change orders’ and may arise for a variety of reasons. In some cases the client changes the scope of the project, in others there may be external factors outside of the control of the contractor such as weather issues or union strikes. When deciding how to proceed it is best to refer to the original contract and to assess whether or not the issue was reasonably foreseeable. In cases where assumption by both parties is a problem it is best to consider ‘splitting the difference’ with a view to keeping the project in track.

Read the original: Choosing Contractors for Larger Construction Requirements

This scheme can be a great way to buy new build or newly refurbished property if getting a fixed rate of return on your investment is a high priority and you don’t mind restrictions on the amount of time you can use it. Essentially what you are doing when you enter this type of contract is buying a freehold property but granting its lease to a holiday company for a period of between 9 and 11 years where the rental return is fixed and guaranteed regardless of whether it is rented out or not. They are hence normally located in popular holiday resorts. It is possible to get a higher return from renting the property during the summer months yourself but this of course brings with it a risk and hassle factor.

Refunded VAT: One of the great bonuses of this scheme is that the purchaser gets a full refund of the TVA (VAT) of 19.6% if it is a new build property which is either refunded 6-9 months after completion or paid and recalimed by the developer. At the end of the initial lease period the holiday company usually reserves the right to lease it again until the 20th year after its construction but this is very rarely insisted upon if the client is not in agreement. If you choose not to lease your apartment out again or sell it then you will have to pay a proportion of the TVA according to how many years are left outstanding from the first 20 years. For example, if the property has been under lease contract for 11 years and there are therefore 9 years remaining, then the amount of TVA that must be paid back to the French government is 9/20ths of the TVA. After 20 years TVA is no longer payable. Remember, if you sell the property during its lease contract then it must be sold with the contract intact to a likeminded individual who is prepared to see the contract through.

Guaranteed return on investment: The guaranteed investment return will typically be around the 5% mark net of all costs tax-free as you benefit from non-professional lessor of furnished property status (LMNP). This in effect means that you will receive as much interest as you would in a high yielding savings account as well as the opportunity to gain from capital appreciation of the property.

Personal Use: Leasebacks often allow the owner the option to occupy the property for a number of weeks a year in return for slightly lower investment yields. If you choose not to use the weeks then you will usually get a higher annual yield.

The management company: An experienced management company will take care of the entire maintenance of the apartment or villa, usually with hotel services available such as reception, house linen, well-kept gardens, swimming pools and 24hr security.

Furnishing: All furnishing, decoration and electrical appliances are supplied and taken care of by the management company.

Accounting impacts during the loan’s term:

-Deductibility of the loan interest

- Deductibility of miscellaneous expenses (property taxes)

- Amortisation deductibility; 3.3% per year for 30 years, however they are deferred and not imputable in regard to the business income.

After the loan’s term the deferred amortisation can be imputed and set against the received net rents.

Notary Fees and sales process: The sales process is the same as for new build/renovated properties with the same notary fees: 3% on new builds and for refurbished leaseback properties you will have to pay the usual 7-8% notary fees on the property before refurbishment working out at between 4% and 6% of the value of the purchase price.

Better than Timeshare: Unlike time share schemes the owner actually sees a return on his/her investment through annual rental yields and also appreciation in the value of the property which can be substantial- so it is not money down the drain. The bonus with the leaseback scheme is that the property is well maintained and you have no responsibility for changing of linen and cleaning- you simply turn up and enjoy it!

Read the original here: Leaseback Property in France

When choosing a professional service for repair or maintenance of your building, it is essential to scrutinize your options first. This is the question of aesthetics and internal health of your house or office or some commercial complex. It must not be taken lightly.

You must ask yourself some questions before you narrow it down to a particular professional service. For example, ask yourself:

1. Is your commercial building maintenance service provider is qualified and well equipped to do the entire span of maintenance activities inside and outside your home/ office?

It is important that you make sure that the people your service provider employs and the techniques it uses are skilled enough to pull off a satisfactory job overall.

2. Does your service provider take liability insurance in order to cover any service issues?

It is usual for good service providers to take liability insurance and give you the cover of safety in case job is not done up to the mark.

3. How much experience does your service provider hold?

The more experienced your contractor is, the more satisfactory and extensive services you can expect. With experience, you would also get many references and testimonials that would help you make up your mind in a more informed manner.

4. What is the span of services of your service provider?

An expansive service span would ensure that all your repair needs are met seamlessly and economically. You can expect your contractor to deal in both residential and commercial projects. They may also be into fresh construction of residential, industrial and commercial buildings maintenance.

To know more about the ideal features of a commercial building maintenance service, you may visit us.

See the original post: Tips For Choosing a Building Maintenance Service Provider

Renovation is the best way to enhance the appearance and value to your existing home. It also provides space to your home for the growing family. If you are planning for remodeling or renovating certain parts of your home in an effective way, than you need to consult expert builders and designers. It is a better option to hire professionals who understand all your needs. There are numerous construction companies that can help you change your home for the better. The experts can visualize your dreams and put it into reality. Their services are accessible in the competitive prices.

If you want a nice and better bathroom which adds to the value of your property without investing huge amount of money, renovating is the best idea. Bathroom Renovations services of these companies are excellent in very affordable prices. They renovate your bathroom with well established plan and according to the favorable budget. They help you create luxurious spa-like bathrooms. They are expert in renovating modern and ethnic designed bathrooms.

They provide their services both for residential and commercial properties. So offices, hotels and homeowners, who have decided for bathroom remodeling, you can hire these experts for reconstructing properly and with the accurate plan that can help you to regain the investment. The experts are offering their marvelous services at the discounted prices in the entire market.

Kitchen Renovation is one of the most important projects that need proper planning with updated designs. This is an essential part of a home where we often meet friends, family and relative. A newly designed kitchen gives a fresh feel to your home. In order to make kitchen renovations successful these companies have come up with incredible kitchen renovation plans which make it look perfect and user friendly. Their interesting kitchen renovation tips have made kitchen renovation much more successful. Kitchen is amongst the most expensive renovation project in a house, so it is much required to choose the best service providers that can fulfill all your dreams at affordable cost.

Each material for the project is extremely expensive in the market. But these construction companies are offering the required materials at reasonable rates. Moreover the efficient designers will give unique design to your kitchen. These companies are giving their best efforts to create your dream kitchen so that their clients are emotionally and financially satisfied. The best way to ensure a great kitchen renewal is to consult reliable and professional service providers that are expert in this field. Enjoy the customer satisfying services at the lowest prices.

The rest is here: Wonderful Bathroom and Kitchen Remodeling From Magnificent Professionals at Economical Rates

History

The history of the Port of Liverpool Building dates back to 1898, when the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board (MDHB) decided to close down and infill George’s Dock, which was located on the site of what is the Pier Head today. The land was sold to the Liverpool Corporation in 1900, although the MDHB opted to keep the southern section, so that they could build a new central headquarters for the company, having been previously located at various sites around the city, including the Old Custom’s House.

In 1900, a committee was set up by the MDHB to plan and develop a new building for the company. Under the leadership of Robert Gladstone, a competition was launched for local architects to submit designs for the new building. Alfred Waterhouse, a renowned local architect was brought in to help judge the competition and prizes of 300, 200 and 100 were offered for the three best designs. In total, seven entries were submitted, with the winning design being that of the architects Sir Arnold Thornley and F.B. Hobbs, which had been developed in collaboration with Briggs and Wolstenholme. Due to boundary changes of the land on which the building was to be built, amendments were made to the design, most notably with the central dome, which was only added at the last minute.

A pre-1914 view from the Mersey, showing a gap on the left, where the Cunard Building is now located

In 1903, with the design now confirmed, the MDHB requested that a number of builders submit a tender document for the construction of the building to the revised design. Over 30 builders were contacted, with William Brown & Son of Manchester winning the contract to construct the new building. Work began in 1904, with the first nine months of construction focusing on laying the building’s foundations, which were dug to a depth of 3040 ft below ground level. The building’s frame was built from reinforced concrete, which was then clad in Portland Stone, a design that meant the building was more fire resistant than with other structural forms. It was completed in 1907 at a cost of approximately 250,000, although when the cost of furniture, fittings and professional fees was taken into account, the total cost was nearer 350,000. Staff from the MDHB headquarters officially moved into the building on 15 July 1907, with staff from departments located in other areas of the city moving in throughout the rest of the year.

During the Second World War, Liverpool’s importance as a major port saw it become a target for the Luftwaffe and during the May Blitz of 1941, a heavy bomb exploded in the basement, on the eastern side of the building. The damage from the explosion was significant with the eastern wing being seriously damaged by fire. Nonetheless the building’s structural integrity meant that much of the building could be re-occupied with only temporary repairs. In the aftermath of the war the building was fully restored; the cost of restoration exceeding the original construction costs

The building acted as the head offices of the MDHB (renamed the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company in 1972) for some 87 years. In 1994, the company moved to new headquarters at the Maritime Centre near Seaforth Dock in the north of the City, in order to be closer to what was now the centre of Liverpool’s docking system. However, the company remained the owners of the building until 2001 when it was acquired by Liverpool-based property group Downing.

Plans submitted in 2005 for the restoration of the building were approved by Liverpool City Council. The scheme involved major internal and external work that would fully restore the Grade II* listed building. The plans included opening the building to the public, by creating a new viewing floor inside the dome and a publicly accessible sunken piazza on the riverside frontage that would providing a small parade of restaurants, cafes and shops. A sixth level of the building, which had been “dismantled” in the aftermath of the Second World War was also to be restored, providing a series of luxury apartments. The first stage of the renovation was completed in early 2008, when the restoration of the Portland stone on the river facing side of the building was completed. The 10m restoration project was fully completed in early 2009, when the last scaffolding was removed from the outside of the building and 20,000 sq ft of refurbished office space was completed.

Architectural design

The building’s central dome is the main focal point of the building, although it was not part of the original design

The Port of Liverpool Building is one of the Three Graces that line the Pier Head and the architectural features were designed to be reflective of Liverpool’s importance to the maintenance of the British Empire. However, the building that exists today is actually a modified version of the originally chosen design. Initially, the plan had called for the main entrance of the building to be located on the south west corner, but boundary changes to land on which it was to be built, meant that building model was significantly revised to give it the symmetrical look it has today. Even more notably, the initial model didn’t include the large dome that sits so prominently above the building today. Inspired by an unused design for Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral, which had been developed several years earlier, the architects added the dome to the design in order to give the building a more imposing look. This decision, however, was not without controversy, as many board members believed that it should not be down to the Port Authority to “beautify the town”. Nonetheless, it was added to the design, becoming the focal point of the building itself.

Designed in Edwardian Baroque style, the Port of Liverpool Building’s structural form has been likened to those of Renaissance palaces. Approximately 264ft by 216ft in size, the building rises to 220ft in height, making it the thirteenth tallest building in the city. Covering five floors, the main body of the building is 80 ft tall to the cornice. The main entrance is located in the centre of the river-facing side of the building and is flanked by two three-metre high, stone statues of women representing “Commerce” and “Industry”, which were designed by Charles John Allen. Each corner of the building is canted and has a tall hexagonal turret that is topped by a stone cupola, which would have originally been crowned by a lantern. Due to the centrally domed design of the building, it has been compared architecturally to many other buildings throughout the world, including Belfast City Hall, the Capitol Building, St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Maritime references are a common feature in the building’s decoration

The Port of Liverpool Building was constructed using a reinforced concrete frame, which not only made the building structurally strong, but also much more fire resistant than buildings in the past. As a result of being built on the site of the former George Dock, the building required deeper than normal foundations and in total, some 35,000 tons of cement were used. Due to the building proximity to the River Mersey, extensive work was carried out during the development of the basement level in order to make sure it was water resistant. Asphalt was used extensively to coat the floors and walls of the basement, in order to make sure it stayed dry.

Internally, the building’s form is centered around a full height, octagonal hall that sits below the central dome. The hall has round, arched openings from the first floor upwards, providing large gallery spaces, whilst its floor is decorated with a mosaic depicting the points of a compass. Office spaces are located off long central corridors, which are decorated with white Calcutta Marble. A large portion of the building costs (approximately 25%) were spent on decorations and fittings; the inside of the building is lavishly decorated using expensive materials including mahogany from Spain and oak from Danzig for the woodwork, bronze for the floor furniture and fittings, and white marble for the floors and walls. One noted interior feature is the grey granite grand staircase, which is lined with stained glass windows adorned with images of Poseidon, anchors, ships bells and shells and well as dedications to countries of the British Empire including Singapore, South Africa, Canada and Australia. The grand nature of the inside of the building has seen it used as a film set in several productions, including The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (TV series).

Throughout the building, there a numerous references to the sea and the maritime operations of both Liverpool and the British Empire. The main entrance gates are decorated with a globe supported by dolphins, while the cast iron gates and gate piers are decorated with mermaids, shells, anchors, and have shields with the initials “M.D. & H.B.”. The outside light fittings are designed such that the lights themselves appear to be held in the hands of the Roman God Neptune. Similarly, the lifts of building are also decorated with maritime references, in the form of gilded emblems representing the globe, seahorses and anchors. In the central hall, the frieze between the ground and first floor is adorned with the words of psalm 107: “They that go down to the sea in ships that do business in great waters these see the works of the Lord and his wonders of the deep. Anno Domini MCMVII”

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Port of Liverpool Building

Architecture of Liverpool

References

Notes

^ “Liverpool museums – Liverpool: World Heritage City – The Three Graces of the world famous Liverpool Waterfront”. www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk. http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/maritime/exhibitions/worldheritagecity/ThreeGraces.asp. Retrieved 2010-03-03. 

^ “Downing – Commercial Portfolio”. www.downing.com. http://www.downing.com/commercial/showdetails.asp?recordid=71. Retrieved 2010-03-03. 

^ “Liverpool Commercial District Partnership (LCDP) – News – News Story”. www.liverpoolcdp.com. http://www.liverpoolcdp.com/news/shownews.asp?recordid=720. Retrieved 2010-03-03. 

^ “Mersey Docks & Harbour Board Building”. E Chambre Hardman Archives. http://www.mersey-gateway.org/server.php?show=ConNarrative.187&chapterId=1487. Retrieved 2009-07-05. 

^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s “Maritime Archives & Library: The Port of Liverpool Building”. National Museums Liverpool. http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/maritime/archive/displayGuide.aspx?sid=40&mode=html&sorStr=s_no ASC 0&serStr=&pgeInt=4&catStr=. Retrieved 1 February 2008. 

^ a b c d Sharples (2004), p67

^ a b Nicholls (2005), p11

^ Neild, Larry (2005-10-17). “Port of Liverpool building gets 20m facelift inside and out”. Liverpool Echo. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/capital-of-culture/capital-of-culture-liverpool-news/2005/10/17/port-of-liverpool-building-gets-20m-facelift-inside-and-out-100252-16258233/. Retrieved 2009-07-10. 

^ Nield, Larry (2005-10-06). “Plan for luxury flats in one of the Graces”. Liverpool Echo. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/capital-of-culture/capital-of-culture-liverpool-news/2005/10/06/plan-for-luxury-flats-in-one-of-the-graces-100252-16214668/. Retrieved 2009-07-10. 

^ Jones, Catherine (2008-01-09). “Covers set to come off the face of Grace”. Liverpool Echo. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2008/01/09/covers-set-to-come-off-the-face-of-grace-100252-20327600/. Retrieved 2009-07-10. 

^ Turnbull, Barry (2009-05-26). “Blitz survivor restored to glory”. Liverpool Daily Post. http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/ldpbusiness/commercial-property-liverpool/2009/05/26/blitz-survivor-restored-to-glory-96026-23702223/. Retrieved 2009-07-10. 

^ a b c d e f Liverpool City Council (2005), p50

^ a b Hughes (1999), p134

^ a b Hughes (1999), p12

^ a b c d Sharples (2004), p68

^ a b Moscardini (2008), p11

^ a b Liverpool City Council (2005), p51

^ The Tourist’s Sherlock Holmes

Bibliography

Hughes, Quentin (1999). Liverpool: City of Architecture. The Bluecoat Press. ISBN 1-872568-21-1. 

Liverpool City Council (2005). Maritime Mercantile City: Liverpool. Liverpool University Press. ISBN 1-84631-006-7. 

Moscardini, Anthony (2008). Liverpool City Centre: Architecture and Heritage. The Bluecoat Press. ISBN 978-1904438649. 

Nicholls, Robert (2005). Liverpool: Curiosities of Merseyside. The History Press. ISBN 978-0-7509-3984-3. 

Sharples, Joseph (2004). Pevsner Architectural Guides:Liverpool. Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-10258-5. 

External links

Port of Liverpool Building (Downing Information Page)

Port of Liverpool Building (Liverpool World Heritage Site)

Flickr

Records

Preceded by

Welsh Presbyterian Church

Tallest Building in Liverpool

1907  1911

Succeeded by

Royal Liver Building

Coordinates: 532415 25941 / 53.40417N 2.99472W / 53.40417; -2.99472

v  d  e

Buildings and structures in Liverpool, England

Highrises/ Skyscrapers

West Tower  Radio City Tower  Beetham Tower  Royal Liver Building  Alexandra Tower  Unity Residential  New Hall Place  1 Princes Dock  Post & Echo Building  Unity Commerical  Port of Liverpool Building  The Plaza  One Park West  Municipal Buildings  Thistle Atlantic Tower

Notable lowrises

Albert Dock  Alder Hey Children’s Hospital  Bank of England  Bluecoat Chambers  Britannia Adelphi Hotel  County Sessions House  Crowne Plaza LJLA  Cunard Building  Empire Theatre  Grand Central Hall  Great North Western Hotel  India Buildings  Liverpool Central Library  Liverpool Magistrates’ Court  Liverpool Town Hall  Liverpool Women’s Hospital  The Lyceum  Oriel Chambers  Philharmonic Hall  Queen Elizabeth II Law Courts  Royal Insurance Building  Royal Liverpool University Hospital  Speke Hall  Stanley Dock Tobacco Warehouse  St. George’s Hall  Tower Buildings  Victoria Building  Walker Art Gallery  White Star Building  World Museum Liverpool

Places of worship

Al-Rahma Mosque  Church of Our Lady and Saint Nicholas  Greek Orthodox Church of St Nicholas  Liverpool Cathedral  Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral  Princes Road Synagogue

Transportation

James Street station  Kingsway Tunnel  Liverpool Central station  Liverpool John Lennon Airport  Liverpool Lime Street station  Mersey Railway Tunnel  Moorfields station  Queensway Tunnel

Shopping complexes

Clayton Square Shopping Centre  Lewis’s  Liverpool One  Metquarter  New Mersey Shopping Park  St. John’s Shopping Centre

Sports venues and arenas

Anfield  Echo Arena Liverpool  Goodison Park  Liverpool Cricket Club  O2 Academy Liverpool  Wavertree Athletics Centre

Sculptures and monuments

Nelson Monument  Titanic Memorial  Wellington’s Column

Lists of buildings

Listed buildings in Liverpool  List of tallest buildings and structures in Liverpool

Categories: Grade II* listed buildings in Liverpool | Edwardian architecture | 1907 architecture | Visitor attractions in Liverpool

Read more: Port of Liverpool Building