Communication and transparency equal trust. Meet Alana and Kevin, the team behind Now Build It, a firm of building contractors operating in Portsmouth and the surrounding area. I had a chat with them earlier this week.
They offer a bespoke, high-quality and fully costed building service that puts the customer at the forefront of everything they do. From liaising with architects, building inspectors, structural engineers and tradespeople, to their full project management service, it’s all designed to allow clients to get on with their lives knowing the build is being taken care of.
We want our clients to have absolute faith in what we do.
Alana told me that they start every job by submitting an F10 notification to the Health and Safety Executive to inform them of our work. “We also supply our clients with contracts, payment plans and a schedule of works, so that at the start the project we’re all on the same page.”
The company doesn’t charge for work in advance, preferring instead to charge retrospectively for work carried out in the previous build period, so the client is never out of pocket or left wondering what they’ve paid for. Kevin said, “It’s about proving our worth in advance and our clients knowing exactly what they are paying for and when. We provide a fully quoted service, with every item listed and costed out. Transparency equals trust. And we want our clients to have absolute faith in what we do.”
This is why Alana and Kevin offer a weekly walk-through each Friday, to ensure that the client knows exactly where are in the process and against schedule, what’s been done and what will happen next. Their dedication to full and open communication, extends to answering any client questions around the clock, which isn’t just tolerated but encouraged. At the start of every job, they offer to set up a WhatsApp group between themselves and the client, so that if there are ever any questions keeping customers awake at night, they can ask immediately and get the issue out of their head and into the discussion.
They employ a team of subcontractors, most of whom they’ve had with them for over 10 years and in whom they have complete faith. Kevin undertakes much of the materials ordering while Alana, who used to work for a local planning authority, uses her knowledge and expertise to navigate the complex requirements required by planning and building regulations to expedite the process, while remaining fully compliant.
As a bricklayer by trade, Kevin still gets hands on when the job requires it, but customers are often surprised to see Alana on site, labouring for the team. “I love it!” she says, “There’s something satisfying about getting my hands dirty with everyone else and it helps keep me in the loop with exactly what’s going on.”
The pair ensure that there’s always one of them on site, which ensures everyone is fully collaborating and keeps things moving. “Being in full control creates efficiency,” Kevin says, “we rarely run over on time because the process and controls around it are in place. And if things go wrong, or something unexpected happens, it’s about how you handle it and make it right.”
Now Build It Ltd undertake all residential work from new build houses and flats, building conversions, house remodels and extensions. They will even consult on colour schemes if you want them to. They work on commercial property too, but while Alana says that there’s a coldness to the commercial side of things, there’s a warm fuzzy feeling that goes with helping residential clients to achieve their dream home.
“You’ve created a better environment for them to live their life. We often drive past someone’s home we worked on and think about them living their lives inside something we helped to create. I think that waking up in a home that works for you and feels right is worth a lot.”
We agree completely. Everyone should Love Coming Home.
