Core Build for Care Homes

Many construction companies can construct buildings. However, few truly understand the day-to-day operations that take place inside a building. They do not have a true understanding of how employees will navigate within their space, how residents will live in that space, or how regulatory requirements will be met. Care Home Builders work solely within the care industry. Each and every construction project we are involved with is constructed with the operational demands of operating a care home in mind: (CQC) compliance; Infection Control; Resident Dignity; Staff Efficiency; Long term Asset Value. We do not convert generic construction techniques into a "care home" model. Instead, we construct care homes as a single entity from the ground up, correctly, as we are the only company we know of that constructs them.

Core Build for Care Homes

What Should Be Included In A Core Build?

A core build represents the complete structural and mechanical build of a care home, including foundations to practical completion, and includes everything required to ensure that a building is safe, compliant and operational prior to fitting out and furnishing.

The core build is typically the most significant element of a project in terms of its impact on an operator's future operations. All decisions related to the design and specification of the layout, structure, building services, and materials, as well as the choice of contractors, will determine how a care home operates for many decades. Therefore, while speed of delivery is important, the emphasis should be placed on achieving a correct solution.

Fit-out (flooring, finishes, furniture, equipment and decoration) follows the core build. We either undertake both elements or we deliver the core build to practical completion, at which point you can engage with your chosen fit-out contractor.

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Why Is Care Home Construction So Much More Complicated Than Other Types Of Buildings?

Unlike large offices or multi-unit residential developments, care homes are regulated healthcare environments, and therefore, the design of the building has a direct influence on the quality of care provided within it. A poor design decision could lead to long delays in providing care due to inefficient layouts, costly retrofitting within five years due to undersized plant rooms and failure to comply with Building Control due to corridors being two inches narrower than they should be. Similarly, fire doors that do not meet the requirements of HTM 60 will result in a failed inspection.

These are not abstract examples. These are actual problems that arise when projects are managed by contractors who only build the occasional care home, not those that build care homes.

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Who Do We Build For?

Care Home Owners and Operators:
You know how to operate a care home; we know how to build one. Whether you are increasing the number of beds in an existing care home or building a new care home, we will work around your operational knowledge. You let us know how your care home needs to operate, and we will work out how to build it. We will also be involved in the design and construction of the care home until practical completion and will continue to be involved in case any questions arise post-completion.

Property Developers and Investors:
Care home development is a specialist type of property development. The returns associated with developing a care home depend on creating an operational care home, not simply on a building that meets the local authority's planning policy requirements. We assist property developers in understanding what operators require in terms of a care home building and subsequently build to that standard. Therefore, our knowledge of the care home sector provides a level of certainty regarding costs, timelines and compliance, which in turn ensures your investment is protected from the outset.

New Care Home Start-Ups:
Building a new care home can be as daunting as complying with the regulatory framework. We have assisted first-time operators through both aspects of the care home development process. We can assist you in understanding what your care home building requires, how to proceed with the planning application process, how much it will cost, and how to phase your investment to mitigate risk. You do not need to have all of these answers prior to contacting us.

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What To Expect From Us

A fully detailed cost plan prior to commencement of works — no hidden costs during the course of the project. A realistic project program with milestones that you can plan against. Regular site visits and open and honest communication when changes occur to the program. Full documentation for planning, building control, and CQC on handover. A completed care home that is ready to register and operate — not a building that requires six months of additional work to make it operational.

Speak With Us About Your Project
Whether you have a site, a brief or simply an idea that you would like to test, it is worthwhile to discuss your proposal with us as early as possible. The earlier we become involved in your project, the more beneficial our involvement will be. We can provide advice on the feasibility of your proposals, planning risk, design and budget prior to committing to anything. There is no obligation to appoint us. We will advise you on whether your proposals are realistic and achievable.

FAQ

What is the main difference between a core build and a turn-key care home?

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A core build provides a fully structural completed CQC registrable shell. A Turn-Key Project covers all aspects of the project, including Design & Planning, Construction, Fit-Out, Furnishings and Hand-Over under one Contract. Both Core Build and Turn-Key Projects are provided by Care Home Builders Ltd. Clients have different needs regarding fit out; some clients will self-manage fit out or appoint their own Specialist Contractors. Other clients wish to appoint a single Team to deliver the whole Project from obtaining Planning Approval to opening the doors to Residents.

Do you provide a guaranteed programme to complete a core build for a care home?

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The construction programme (from groundwork to Practical Completion) for an average-sized new-build care home is between 12 and 24 Months. This depends on the number of bedrooms and the complexity of the individual build. In addition to the time required to construct a care home, Planning Approval can add 6 to 12 months to the overall Programme (this can vary significantly depending on the Local Authority and the complexity of the Application). We will always produce a realistic programme prior to commencing construction and will advise our Clients of any changes to the programme, informing them promptly (not leaving it until the end of the week).

When should we engage your services within the project process?

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Ideally, as soon as possible. On every project, the most valuable service we can offer is to help clients identify potential issues that may arise and avoid decisions that could lead to problems six months later.
We often become involved in the project process before a client purchases the site. At this stage, we assist clients in determining whether the proposed development is viable, identifying potential risks related to Planning Permission, and establishing an estimated cost to construct the facility prior to committing Capital. If you are at this stage, a discussion with us will incur no charge for you but could save you a substantial sum.

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