During this period of prolonged isolation, it can seem like beginning work on a new extension, renovation or knockdown rebuild project will be difficult or impossible. And it’s true that due to strict government regulations, many industries have had to slow down or stop completely to contain the virus.
Construction however, is classified as an essential service, and at XL Built we’re taking additional measures, such as social distancing and updated hygiene routines, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our workers, clients and contractors both on site and in the office. It is still business as (un)usual for our team and many of our processes have been updated to both comply with social distancing regulations and to protect our team during this time.
Design
At XL Built, we offer a design and construct service, which means that you’re able to undertake both the design and construction of your home under the one roof. This centralises the building process, making it speedier and more seamless than if working with individual designers and builders alone. Importantly, it will ensure your project remains within budget and is delivered on time.
During the Coronavirus pandemic, our design process will be undertaken completely online. Our virtual showroom allow clients to make selections and undertake 3D virtual walkthroughs of their “new” home.
This state-of-the-art technology means that you are able to peruse and decide on materials, fitting and fixtures through your own online selections portal. It also provides a digital rendering of your future home, which gives you a better visual and conceptual framework to understand the construction process. It’s a brilliant, cutting-edge way to design a modern home.
We can also assist during these 3D walkthroughs, offering our expertise and know-how over the phone so you make the right decisions on the design of your dream home.
Construction
During this difficult time, we’re prioritising the health and wellbeing of our workers, contractors, suppliers and clients. This means changing some of our practices to ensure we’re sticking to government guidelines to minimise the spread of the virus.
On site, we’ll be ensuring that our workers abide by the 4m2 distancing rule and limiting access on site to essential works. We’ll be providing sanitiser and hand wash stations for all workers, as well as routine cleaning and disinfecting of common work areas and shared tools. When needed, we’ll also be making changes to our project schedules to ensure only the minimal number of workers needed are on site at any given time.
In the coming months, there is a chance that international supply chains will be disrupted by COVID-19, leading to an increase in costs and delays. Currently there has been minimal impact – however we are seeing that many subcontractors are offering discounts during this uncertain, quiet period to lessen the financial strain on clients and builders. It’s in your best interests to make decisions around materials and costs and lock these in now, so you can get the best deal possible.
