Partnering

In repair, maintenance and refurbishment contracts certain key elements can make long-term strategic partnering successful.  Long-term relationships can provide the framework for investment, team development, good communication and greater understanding of environmental issues and products.  Partnering also requires the input and consultation with other stakeholders such as residents.  This is an important factor.  Rethinking Construction: 20 Good Ideas for Rethinking Refurbishment, Repairs and Maintenance, The Housing Forum (2000). sets out key steps that will also support greater environmental improvement through better procurement. 

Partnering provides the opportunity for the design to be developed over time with all stakeholders, including the involvement of clients/contractors/designers/residents etc, from the start.  The idea is to allow ideas to be shared, discussed and approved before developing them further.  The experience of all parties is collated, which helps everyone as feedback from other schemes usually provides valuable information about what may and may not work.

Partnering can help reduce risks, and good communication can help achieve the desired outcomes with contractors, suppliers and manufacturers.  It is especially important when introducing alternatives to traditional construction that will enable refurbishment to be more environmentally acceptable.