We work with a core team of specialists, building long term relationships and are constantly looking to improve the ways in which we work.

'Get the right people on the bus.'

-JIM COLLINS, GOOD TO GREAT  (2001)

At the heart of what we do is the belief that, along with great design and meticulous planning,  working with the right people  is a vital ingredient in a successful project.  The key ingredients I look for when considering contractors are:

• Price - Pricing that is fare, not just in terms of market rate for the job but also a reflection of experience and ability.  It took me a while to realise that cheap is not always good..

• Reliability - a build project relies on a number of different trades and suppliers - I look for those who do what they say they will do, when they say they will do it.  It took me a while to realise that cheapest is not always best - hang on, bit of a theme developing here!

• Quality of work - not all contractors  are equal, I want those on site who are experienced and are good at what they do.

• Character -  Contractors who are thoughtful, who care about the job they do, are respectful and considerate of the other trades and understand that we are all part of a team.

I've been making contacts and building relationships for almost twenty years now and in that time I have steadily built up a collection of some of the best, amazing and varied contractors - those you would expect:

•  Electricians (D, sometimes works with his Dad and is just such a great all round nice guy as well as being a great electrician)

• Plumbers (S, my brother, built his own house - we meet up every Thursday evening and it's such an absolute pleasure to be on site together) 

• Carpenters (J, started out as a kitchen fitter for John Lewis and is now the best site carpenter I've ever met - a pair of hardwood bedroom balcony doors in two days as the originals have rotted and the new tenant is due to move in at the beginning of next week - no problem!) 

And those you might not perhaps know you need, until you do:

• Metal workers (P, works out of a converted barge in Brentford and I don't think there is anything he can't do with metal!)

• Stained glass (P, has an absolute passion for what he does and is such a lovely, kind person)

• Rubbish removal - as vital a part of any project as any other trade (A - seriously, the strongest man I have ever met and one of the funniest too)

These guys absolutely make all the difference