Project Design and Management

If you have a significant sports or amenity project to undertake we can manage the whole thing, from initial site investigation to the completed surface.  As experienced sports surface designers and project managers we bring all the elements together to realise your ideas, whatever the scale.  Agrostis can initiate and monitor the project from beginning to end. 

We are available to provide some or all of the following services…

Site Investigation and Feasibility Study
Before embarking on the detailed design of any sports facility it is best to undertake a Site Investigation and produce a Feasibility Study.  This informs the subsequent Design work and the should provide all of the technical information necessary for that to be completed once the way forward has been agreed.  The Feasibility Study will include data on existing features such as soil conditions, drainage potential, levels, areas and dimensions etc.  The techniques described in 'Technical Services' are usually those that are carried out as part of a Site Investigation.  Of course, only those tests that are appropriate for the circumstances are undertaken.

Many projects require 'cut' and 'fill' land formation.  Using levels data obtained from the site we can provide an accurate assessment of cut and fill volumes.  This can have significant implications for the cost of the project.
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The Feasibility Study will also provide an indication of the likely costs.  Our estimates of costs are based upon an appraisal of the conditions of the site and the requirements of the project.  By combining data from all of our projects for which we have organised the Tendering we have gained a full understanding of the costs currently associated with the various materials and procedures involved in sports surface preparation.  By applying these data to your project a suitably accurate Estimate may be obtained.  This can be particularly useful for example in grant applications and for general budgeting.  If necessary, the Design can be modified in the light of the Estimate in order to meet your budget.
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​Design and Specification
With all of the technical information to hand, and knowing exactly what the aims of the project are, the detail of the design is set down in Drawings and in the Specification.  These are extremely detailed documents that indicate for example the tolerance limits of the various materials involved in the project and the condition of the surfaces that are to be achieved.
This documentation is produced at our risk and our reputation rests on the quality of the end result of our designs.  Of course you have the protection of our Professional Indemnity insurance but I am delighted to say that in all of our time in this business we have never been required even to approach our insurers in relation to our work.
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The Design Specification documentation includes a Bill of Quantities.  This indicates exactly how much of what 'stuff' is to be incorporated into the project and is key to the obtaining of costs in the subsequent Procurement exercise.

​Planning
Most artificial surface projects and those natural turf projects that involve a significant change in surface levels require planning permission before they can go ahead.  Planners require a good deal of technical information, usually presented as part of a Design and Access Statement.  That information which pertains to the technicalities of a sports pitch may include:

• The design and rationale behind drainage and soakaway systems (see here for details of our SuDS design services)
• The details of changes in surface levels
• The details of fencing and floodlighting intentions
• The overall visual impact

We can provide this information in an appropriate form to dovetail with the wider application which we hope you will have in hand.  It is usually most efficient to produce this alongside the Design Specification because the same thinking is required for both.

Procurement
It is relatively straightforward to incorporate the Design Specification into a Contract document.  We tend to use the most appropriate contract from the JCT suite.

With this documentation we then go out to Tender among suitable contractors.  We enjoy good relations with most of the best contractors who are able to carry out the sort of specialised work involved in sports surface preparation, both natural and artificial.  As an independent consultancy, however, you can be sure that an entirely level playing field exists between the contractors at this point.  Only by using this approach can the best value for money be obtained for our Clients.
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On receipt of the bids we will appraise them and make a recommendation to you.  In some cases it may be appropriate to interview contractors which is something we would do with you.  When all is agreed, you and the selected contractor can sign the documentation and the work can go ahead.  Hurray!
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​Project / Contract Management
With large projects contractors usually provide their own Project Managers to co-ordinate deliveries, sub-contractors etc.  In these situations Agrostis take on the role of Contract Manager.  This involves the supervision on your behalf of the works as they proceed and the management of the Contract itself, issuing payment and completion certificates as appropriate. 

​For smaller projects, which includes most natural turf projects, we will combine the two roles.  This usually involves working closely with the Contractor throughout the project and keeping you the Client fully abreast of the situation as it proceeds.

Quantifying cut and fill platform formation from 3D survey data.

Large scale cut and fill work. Agrostis project.

Drainage system design.

Drain trenching. Agrostis project.

Sand carpet areas.

Sand integration to create free-draining and stable rootzone for grass establishment. Agrostis project.

Establishing ground cover. Agrostis project.