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Whether you’re designing an industrial space, updating a retail setting, or refreshing an office interior, ensuring your project runs smoothly with minimal impact on day-to-day operations is key. After all, time is money and downtime is costly.

While unforeseen challenges can still cause disruption, effective planning significantly reduces the risk and impact. That’s why every project requires a comprehensive planning phase, incorporating stakeholder consultations, site assessments and risk analysis.

Planning, scheduling and delivery

The planning process is central to identifying challenges; anything from high-traffic areas, noise sensitivity, or after-hours restrictions. Establishing risks and potential issues early on enables the development of a considered schedule that minimises disruption and keeps the project on track.

Because every hour counts, flexible schedules such as night shifts and weekend work may prove vital in limiting any interference with business activities. This approach is especially valuable in retail spaces, for example, where even brief disruptions can result in lost revenue. Educational settings also require effective scheduling of works, either planned during school holidays or over weekends, so that student learning and/or exams are not adversely affected.

In healthcare too, even minor disruptions can have significant consequences, particularly because it directly impacts essential care and patient safety. On one project for St Andrews Healthcare, McCarthys adhered to strict working windows of 9am–12pm and 1pm–4pm, pausing during medication rounds to ensure the delivery of care was not compromised or interrupted.

Rather than overhauling an entire space at once, phased delivery is another way to limit disruption, as one or more areas can stay operational while another is being upgraded. McCarthys’ work to upgrade office areas into kitchens and breakout spaces for Kimal is one such example. Work completed in clear phases was essential given that the business operates under strict manufacturing standards for medical devices. Strict dust control measures and phased isolation helped ensure zero contamination, maintaining product integrity.

Compliance and communication

Health and safety are non-negotiable. Our work for Kimal is just one example of a project delivered against rigorous standards. Not only does McCarthys preserve high standards during the completion of works, but we also conduct full site clean-up upon completion and deliver follow-up training, if required.

On a redevelopment project for Stratford-upon-Avon College, that involved demolition, refurbishment and MEP upgrades, across a number of different phases and contracts, McCarthys introduced a soft-landing period two weeks before completion which gave stakeholders time to test systems and identify any issues. This proactive approach enabled practical completion with no outstanding snags such as delays, fines or reputational risk.

On compliance, as well as all other matters, there should be a clear line of communication providing regular updates to all stakeholders. Having a dedicated contracts manager as the point of contact throughout the entire process is a game changer. For the college, McCarthys also created detailed short-term plans based on input from academic staff. These were shared with the supply chain to ensure accurate labour allocation and sequencing, avoiding disruption to live broadcast studios and key exam areas.

Insights for efficient project delivery

Ultimately, all commercial refurbishment projects require careful planning, flexible scheduling (potentially involving phased delivery), and clear lines of communication. While not all challenges can be foreseen, identifying risks early and implementing appropriate controls helps to contain potential problems, preventing delays that could result in financial loss or reputational damage.

Operational constraints remain a key aspect of any project and should be kept front and centre to any decision making. Whether in commercial, education, healthcare, or industrial environments, an approach that considers the unique aspects of a project is essential to continuity and minimised disruption.

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