Structural Repairs, Gunby Estate, Hall and Gardens

Evans & James were appointed by The National Trust to undertake the project management of structural repairs to the coal store at Gunby Hall and Gardens.

The National Trust had obtained Listed Building and Planning Consent to convert the coal store located in the basement of Gunby Hall into a plant room for the new ground source heat pumps. The Project Manager for this renewable heating project had concerns regarding the structural integrity within the roof and procured a specialist survey that identified that a number of interventions were required.

Evans & James were asked to Project Manage the repairs as enabling works prior to the plant room installation. We reviewed the report and identified that support from a Structural Engineer was also required. Evans & James obtained quotations for these services and managed the outputs of the Structural Engineer in designing the required interventions and agreeing the scope of works. The objective was to undertake minimal interventions, this included like-for-like replacement of the existing steel columns which had heavily corroded at their bases and replacement of the rotten timber lintels and wall plate to the external wall. To help control moisture ingress we also identified that the external steps and landing outside should be re-pointed in a lime based mortar. We prepared a schedule of works based on their design and obtained quotations for these repairs, preparing a procurement report to discuss the quotations, clarifications and price adjustments, and ultimately recommended a contractor for appointment.

We lead a pre-start meeting with the contractor and client and once the works were on site, undertook weekly site inspections before agreeing final account and confirming that the works had been undertaken as specified, and to the desired quality. The works were delivered on time, avoiding delays to the main project and were delivered below the budget allocated by The National Trust.