Wilding Construction was appointed to prepare the site establishment area and working platform for a major offshore wind farm project. Our work would enable the Main Contractor to start construction on site of the onshore substation, where the power generated by the offshore wind turbines will come to shore. The project was overseen by a Civil Site Manager introduced by Wilding. We also provided other services on site, such as cleaning, security for the initial stage of the project and electrical installations for temporary works.
Why Wilding?
The Client didn’t have the time to put this project out to tender and chose to appoint Wilding on the strength of our long working relationship and the Client awareness that we wouldn’t take undue advantage of the situation. Our local knowledge was also a key factor and proved invaluable to the project success. At the outset, we offered the Client an open book contract which assured both parties a satisfactory outcome.
Adding Value To The Project
On the financial side, our local knowledge meant we could add major value to the project. We obtained MOT 1 hardcore at a much lower rate than the Client had budgeted for. We saved the Client £7 per tonne on 13,000 tonnes of hardcore – a total saving of £91K.
We also proactively managed a last-minute delay when the project was put on hold three days before the Contract was due to start. The delay lasted for five weeks, but Wilding was able to manage this at short notice, without incurring a huge cost to the Client. When the Contract finally went ahead, we were able to complete enough of the seven week programme in just three weeks to enable the main contract works to start on the original programme date.
Overcoming Problems
Another issue we had to deal with was how to access the site, as planning consent had not yet been given to build the new access road. Wilding got round this problem by creating a temporary access road off the main road, away from the proposed new entrance. This access was used for around six months after the site works commenced, until the main entrance was fully constructed.
Project Outcome
Despite the five week delay at the start of the project, the enabling works were mostly completed to programme. We carried out the main enabling works over a three week period, which allowed the Main Contractor to start construction on time. And thanks to our savings when procuring hardcore, and in other areas, the enabling works came under budget by around £100K.
Client Feedback
Our Client was delighted with our work and has since invited Wilding to bid for enabling works at a new project in North Wales.
