Overview
Sixtowns Waste recently completed an enabling works package in Stanley, Staffordshire for Powell Design & Construction, a local developer specialising in high end residential refurbishments and extensions.
The project involved preparing an existing property for the next stage of refurbishment by stripping out key areas, removing a conservatory, coordinating asbestos removal through approved specialists and removing selected internal non-load bearing walls as part of the agreed scope.
The aim was to take the property back to a stage where the developer and follow on trades could properly assess the building, plan the refurbishment and move forward with greater certainty.
Project Details
Client: Powell Design & Construction
Location: Stanley, Staffordshire
Project type: Residential enabling works
Sector: High end residential refurbishment
Original programme: Approximately 2 weeks
Final programme: Extended by 4 days due to site conditions and subcontractor availability
The Brief
Powell Design & Construction needed a reliable contractor to prepare the property before the main refurbishment works began.
The initial scope included:
• Partial back to brick strip out
• Conservatory removal
• Asbestos removal through approved specialists
• Waste removal and responsible disposal
As the project progressed, the scope also included the removal of selected internal non-load bearing walls.
This made the job more than a simple strip out. It became a controlled enabling works package where sequencing, communication and site control were essential.
The Challenge
As is often the case with refurbishment projects, not everything is visible at the start.
Once works began, it became clear that the property had been very well built, which made some elements more difficult and time consuming to remove than expected.
The project also required coordination with specialist subcontractors, particularly around asbestos removal and structural works. This added extra complexity to the programme and meant the works had to be carefully sequenced to keep the project moving safely.
The programme overran by 4 days due to the building being more difficult to strip than expected and subcontractor availability. This was managed as part of the live project, with the focus remaining on completing the work properly rather than rushing key stages.
The Work Carried Out
Sixtowns Waste delivered the enabling works package to prepare the building for refurbishment.
The works included:
• Partial back to brick strip out
• Removal of internal fixtures and materials
• Conservatory removal
• Coordination of asbestos removal through approved specialists
• Removal of selected internal load bearing walls
• Segregation and removal of waste from site
• Preparing the property for follow on trades
The focus throughout was to create a clean, open and workable space for the next stage of the project.
Managing Risk During the Works
Refurbishment projects often carry more unknowns than new build work.
On this project, particular attention was given to:
• Asbestos risks
• Structural elements
• Waste handling
• Safe sequencing of works
• Coordination with specialist contractors
Asbestos removal was handled through approved specialists, ensuring that this element of the job was dealt with correctly before affected areas were progressed.
All internal walls were treated as a controlled part of the scope, with the works sequenced carefully and carried out in line with the agreed requirements for the project.
This approach helped keep the job organised and reduced the risk of delays or issues affecting the next phase.
Waste Management
All waste generated during the strip out and enabling works was removed from site and handled responsibly.
Materials were separated where practical to support recycling and reduce unnecessary disposal costs.
This is an important part of our approach on refurbishment projects, where different waste streams often need to be managed carefully throughout the job.
The Outcome
The property was successfully stripped and prepared for the next phase of refurbishment.
By the end of the works, Powell Design & Construction had a clearer view of the structure and a prepared space ready for follow on trades.
The completed enabling works allowed the developer to:
• Assess the building more accurately
• Plan the next phase of refurbishment with greater certainty
• Bring follow on trades into a clearer and safer working environment
• Move forward with the project knowing the early stage works had been properly managed
Although the project overran by 4 days, the additional time reflected the condition and construction of the property, as well as the need to coordinate specialist works correctly.
For this type of high end refurbishment, getting the preparation stage right is more important than rushing the handover.
Why This Project Matters
This project is a good example of the role enabling works play at the start of a refurbishment.
Before the finish trades, before the new layout and before the detail work begins, the building needs to be properly prepared.
That means uncovering unknowns, managing risk and creating a clean starting point for the next phase.
For developers working on high value residential refurbishments, this stage can have a major impact on the rest of the project.
A well managed strip out and enabling works package gives everyone involved more clarity, better access and fewer surprises later on.
Supporting Developers Across Staffordshire
Sixtowns Waste supports developers, contractors and property professionals across Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire and Cheshire with practical enabling works packages.
Our core services include:
• Strip outs
• Site clearances
• House clearances
• Conservatory and light structure removal
• Waste management and disposal
• Coordination of specialist works where required
If you are planning a refurbishment project and need an enabling works contractor in Staffordshire, Sixtowns Waste can help prepare your site for the next stage.
