established in 1980 by the vendor, this highly successful, comprehensive consultancy specialises in structural and civil engineering design serving commercial, industrial and residential market sectors. The firm is able to complete many client assignments annually through effective use of technology by its experienced team. Furthermore, the consultancy has demonstrated a consistent earnings track record. From the outset the vendor decided not to focus on highly competitive areas of design and construction, aiming at more lucrative specialist fields with higher margins. Although the majority of commissions emanate from london, projects have been completed on a nationwide level over many years. The principal areas of services offered include, but are not limited to:- • investigation and reporting on “building failures”, together with ensuring remedial works • construction litigation including expert witness reports • refurbishment of inner-london properties, (public sector, commercial and residential) • listed building repair, alteration and modernisation – with a particular focus on churches and crypts. • temporary works on urban sites, including façade retention, heavy shoring, large excavations and retaining walls • new-build comprising a comprehensive range of residential, commercial, industrial and municipal developments. The specialised nature of some of the commissions undertaken, such as remedial and temporary works and listed building redevelopment, means that the consultancy operates in an area of more limited competition. Working to the highest professional standards and technical expertise, the practice is recognised as a logical choice for many projects. With an excellent reputation this firm has organically grown to enjoy a large forward work schedule, obtained equally from repeat orders but also from new client appointments. Equipment: the business conducts analysis and work via top-end cad systems held on a number of personal computers. Customer service: having an excellent reputation for its expedient, reliable service, expertise in the industry, skilled and experienced team take painstaking care and attention to detail, offering a prompt response time, convenient hours and location, and competitive prices. This business believes that client satisfaction is paramount, which is shown by the commitment to understand and meet the client's requirements in terms of: objectives, quality, value, budget and time scale. The focus on customer service has paid dividends with long-term returning clients and recommendation and referral throughout the sector. Key strengths: the long-term trading history in itself presents an excellent business strength. With the focus on specialist work, and the reputation gained, the business has worked on high margin projects, and is still in a great position to price according to quality of service as opposed to quantity. Currently the business yields approximately 35-40% of its turnover from litigation work, with the remainder split equally from the other specialities of new build, refurbishment, remedial, temporary works and building failure investigation. Along with the wide client base covering contractors and end users of all sizes, this has allowed for a resilient earning base in all market conditions over the decades. As the market shifts from say new build to investigation and litigation, the business has the services on hand to capitalise. Growth and expansion opportunities: since its inception, the business has grown through recommendation and referral. With a new focus on marketing and promotion, the business can draw new business from all directions. There is limited direct competition for the litigation services on offer, as such there is huge potential to source more commissions from far and wide based on the trading history in this field.
