Civil and Interior Fit-out

Many projects need more than one trade. A new office block in a factory, a refurbished ward, a school floor or a showroom each need civil work, partitions, ceilings, flooring, painting and finishing in the right order. We combine these under one team that plans the sequence, manages the site and answers for the result.

What we do

• Masonry, plastering, tiling and painting.
• Partitions in aluminium, board and glass, see aluminium fabrication.
• False ceilings, see false ceilings.
• Vinyl and wooden flooring, see flooring.
• Blinds and window finishes, see blinds.
• Facade and glazing coordination, see ACP and facade cladding and glazing.
• Office, canteen, ward, classroom, showroom and banquet fit-out.
• Minor alterations and openings, with structural advice where needed.
• Site supervision, programme and a clean handover.

Why sequence matters

Fit-out goes wrong when trades arrive in the wrong order. A typical sequence on an interior fit-out is:

1. Survey and setting out.
2. Demolition and making good, where needed.
3. Masonry and plastering, and waterproofing in wet areas.
4. First-fix electrical, plumbing and air-conditioning.
5. Partition and ceiling framing.
6. Inspection of services before boards are closed.
7. Boarding and jointing, then plaster and painting preparation.
8. Floor preparation and flooring.
9. Painting and final coats.
10. Fittings, fixtures, blinds and cleaning.
11. Snagging and handover.

Doing flooring before painting, or closing a ceiling before the electrician has finished, means rework. A written programme prevents it.

Planning the project

Brief. What will the space be used for, how many people, what equipment, and what must it look like? A clear brief saves weeks.

Drawings. Existing drawings (or our measured survey) are turned into a layout, a ceiling plan and a finishes schedule for your approval.

Approvals. The building owner or landlord, the fire consultant and sometimes the local authority may need to approve changes. We tell you early what is needed.

Phasing. Occupied buildings are fitted out in phases, with temporary barriers, protected routes and agreed working hours.

Procurement. Long-lead items such as glass, special boards, doors and lighting are ordered early so they arrive when needed.

How we work on site

• A named supervisor is on site and a named contact is available to you.
• Work areas are separated, floors and furniture are protected, and the site is cleaned daily.
• Materials are checked on delivery and stored safely.
• Safety rules apply to everyone: protective equipment, safe access, hot-work control and tidy storage.
• Progress is reported against the programme, with photographs.
• Changes are agreed in writing before they are carried out, with their effect on cost and time.

Quality checks

• Setting-out dimensions verified before work starts.
• Walls plumb, floors level, ceilings flat, to the tolerances agreed.
• Concealed work (services, framing) inspected before it is closed.
• Painted surfaces checked in good light for coverage and finish.
• Doors, windows and fittings operated and adjusted.
• A snag list prepared and closed before handover.

Common problems and how to avoid them

Care after handover

We provide a list of the finishes and materials used, advice on cleaning each surface, and a point of contact for defects. A maintenance contract keeps partitions, ceilings, flooring and glazing in good order.

What affects cost and time

Area, the number of trades, the finishes chosen, the amount of demolition and making good, the services involved, the working hours and the schedule all affect cost and time. Our guide to reading a fit-out quotation shows how to compare proposals fairly.

Planning a fit-out? Discuss your requirement with us.