The requirements

Norwich City Council (NCC) was originally seeking a minimum of three painting and decorating contractors to carry out the external and internal repair and redecoration of all housing stock in Norwich over five years, with an option for a two year contract extension subject to satisfactory performance.

NCC’s housing stock comprises of some 18,500 properties, including bungalows, flats, sheltered housing schemes and two and three-storey town houses.

NCC was so impressed with our service offering and our commitment to providing local employment, training and apprenticeship opportunities that they selected Mitie’s painting division as a single contractor to carry out the works.

Another big driver for NCC was to deliver value for money over the term of the contract. We demonstrated to NCC that we were able to utilise our large, established supply chain to provide substantial cost savings to NCC throughout the life of the contract.

How we helped

We are currently carrying out internal and external redecorations and associated repairs including carpentry repairs to fascias, barge boards, windows, garage doors, rub downs and plaster/crack repairs.

During mobilisation we provided a project programme to NCC to implement the works, including a dedicated management and delivery team consisting of a Commercial Manager, Contract Manager, Senior Surveyor, QHSE Advisor, Resident Liaison Officer, and directly employed painters and multi-trade operatives.

We hold regular meetings on-site with NCC to ensure quality of works, health and safety, progress, waste management and speedy property sign-offs. These meetings also provide an opportunity to discuss any resident issues or concerns and deal with them as appropriate.

We have engaged with residents throughout the project at various events such as coffee mornings, open days and fayres, where we have run stalls and provided donations and prizes on the day.

The results

We have forged a great partnership with NCC. Working closely with NCC has allowed us to integrate working methods, which has resulted in minimising problems, thus driving our KPI ‘best value’.

With our knowledge and expertise, we have been able to offer NCC significant cost savings by changing the specified fire retardant paint from Crown to ICI Dulux, without compromising on quality.

In keeping with our pledge to provide local labour and apprenticeships, we have given the chance to five young apprentices to learn the trade, who we have also enrolled on NVQ courses.

We are currently holding a 98% customer satisfaction rate.

“The works have been completed to a high standard and to tendered prices. KPIs have been consistently met over the course of the year.”

John Nuttall, Senior Building Surveyor at Norwich City Council