A roofing contract worth in excess of £5m, which will see 1,107 homes in Newcastle have their roofs modified or replaced, has begun.
The contract was awarded to John Flowers Ltd after a competitive OJEU compliant tender process through NE Procurement’s External Labour framework on behalf of Your Homes Newcastle (YHN).
The work will see a range of YHN owned homes in West Denton, Newbiggin Hall and Walker benefit from the extensive improvement works, as part of a wider investment programme to prevent further repairs and maintenance in the future.
The roofs on all the properties are being replaced and some South West facing properties are having solar photovoltaic (PV) panels installed. The new roofs will improve the overall energy efficiency of the homes and the solar PV panels will help to reduce tenants’ fuel bills.
The rainwater goods, such as guttering and drains, that are being fitted come with a 60 year warranty – providing tenants and YHN with peace of mind.
This is the second roofing scheme to be carried out for YHN and already they have seen significant reductions in the costs of repairs and maintenance – dropping from around £800,000 two years ago to around £240,000 for similar repair and maintenance work now.
Dave Wakenshaw, Technical Surveyor at YHN, said: “Replacing the roofs and installing solar PV panels will make a huge difference to the residents of those homes. The new roofs will improve the overall security of the properties – protecting the inside of the homes from the elements and should result in a reduction in residents’ energy bills. The installation of solar PV panels will not only help to cut residents’ electricity bills but will also reduce their carbon emissions – a typical home solar PV system could save over a tonne of carbon dioxide per year!
“Whilst replacing the roof of a home is no small task, John Flowers have worked with YHN staff and the residents to keep disruption to a minimum wherever possible, and the quality of the work has been of a really high standard. This joint working with our technical and investment teams has meant that we can get the best outcome for residents and the organisation to reduce the need for future repairs.”
NE Procurement is a procurement consortium set up by a number of social housing landlords to provide members with labour, materials and services through their various frameworks which offer value for money solutions and efficiencies to the procurement process.
Additionally, NE Procurement undertakes significant Social Value work through its Future Spark Regeneration Fund and Employability Toolkit which are aimed at improving employment opportunities for those living in the communities of the Member Landlords.
Rod Brasington, NE Procurement Chief Executive, said: “This is one of the biggest contracts YHN has undertaken through our frameworks and in doing so, the organisation has managed to save £500,000 through the tender process- money that can now be used in other much-needed areas. This is a great example of how more can be achieved by working together.”
It is anticipated that all works will be completed by December 2015.