Primary School Extension, Cardiff
Primary School Extension Case Study
Project Brief
A primary school in Cardiff needed a two-classroom extension with accessible WC facilities, external play areas and a new fire escape route. The school required a detailed estimate to support their capital funding application to the local authority, with costs presented in a format that aligned with the council’s assessment criteria.
Works needed to be completed during the summer holiday period to minimise disruption to pupils and staff. The tight programme window meant the estimate had to account for accelerated working, potential shift premiums and the logistical challenges of delivering a complete building within an 8-week timeframe.
The Challenge
The 8-week summer holiday window was extremely tight for the scope of works, requiring careful programming and potentially additional shift working to meet the deadline. The extension needed to connect to the existing building without disrupting the occupied school during term time, meaning preparatory works had to be carefully planned.
Safeguarding requirements added cost for enhanced DBS-checked operatives, secure site hoarding and restricted access protocols. The school site also had limited space for material storage and welfare facilities, requiring off-site logistics and just-in-time deliveries throughout the build programme.
Key challenge: Delivering a fully compliant two-classroom extension within an 8-week summer holiday window, while meeting stringent safeguarding requirements and formatting the estimate to satisfy the local authority’s capital funding criteria.
What We Delivered
- Detailed estimate with summer-works programme costing including shift premiums and accelerated preliminaries
- Safeguarding cost allowances for enhanced DBS workforce, secure perimeter hoarding and restricted access protocols throughout the build
- Phased connection works plan to minimise term-time disruption, with enabling works costed separately for early start
- Accessible design compliance costs (Part M) including ramp access, accessible WCs and sensory room provisions
- Funding application cost summary formatted in the local authority’s required template, ready for direct submission
The Outcome
The funding application was approved on first submission, with the local authority commenting that the cost summary was thorough and well-structured. The extension was substantially complete within the 8-week summer window, with only minor snagging carried into the first week of term. Crucially, there was zero disruption to pupils during the academic year, and the new classrooms were ready for the September intake.
Client Testimonial
First4Estimating structured the cost summary exactly how the local authority needed it, which saved us weeks of back-and-forth. The safeguarding cost allowances showed they understood the unique requirements of working on a school site. An excellent, professional service.