Member Article

Keepmoat shortlisted in Yorkshire construction awards

A refurbishment project, delivered by Keepmoat Property Services, a division of national housing and regeneration specialist Keepmoat, has been recognised as best practice after it was shortlisted in the ‘Project of the Year’ category of the Committed to Construction in West Yorkshire Awards.

The company, which provides a responsive repairs and maintenance service to clients across the UK, has been shortlisted in recognition of the work that it has undertaken with its client, Accent Group.

Whilst achieving significant savings and efficiencies, Keepmoat Property Services delivered a comprehensive refurbishment programme to replace kitchens and bathrooms and carry out electrical upgrades and disabled adaptation works to mixed tenure sheltered schemes in Yorkshire.

The company provided a high quality service to Accent’s residents, which exceeded the company’s minimum standard and specification, by creating a bespoke design for each property, resulting in high customer satisfaction.

With 100% of the work completed on time and the scheme programme reduced by two weeks to minimise resident disruption, overall customer satisfaction reached 96%.

One delighted residentMrs Scard, said: “I couldn’t be more satisfied if I paid for a new kitchen. The units are excellent, very good quality and finished to a high standard. The workmen were very good and worked hard and nothing was too much if you wanted any work doing. Overall, I couldn’t fault the workmanship whatsoever. Thank you!”

Health & safety was also a number one priority with Keepmoat’s teams who completed the project with no reportable incidents and as part of its commitment to the local community, Keepmoat Property Services offered two work experience placements and employed five apprentices through Accent’s own Training Centre in Bradford.

In addition, Keepmoat staff spent 345 hours working on more than 30 community events, such as coffee mornings, creating numerous pathways, and grassed areas to provide safe access for elderly residents, installing a communal BBQ area and supporting one of Accent’s nominated charities, Inn Churches by donating time and support to its fundraising events.

Helen Francis of Keepmoat Property Services, said: “Being recognised and shortlisted in these awards is testament to the unique partnership we have with our client, Accent Group and their residents to deliver an excellent refurbishment service.

“Both organisations have demonstrated what can be achieved by working collaboratively, not just by increasing customer satisfaction but the impact this can have on the local community. The project has delivered exceptional efficiency savings but we are proud to have gone the extra mile to achieve numerous added value incentives.”

Michael Rushton, Accent Contracts Officer, said: “Our partnership with Keepmoat has been a very positive experience. The team at Keepmoat have worked hard to deliver this project as efficiently as possible with tangible savings and added value whilst constantly bringing in new ideas and focusing on customer service. As a result our customers have been delighted with the excellent service, respect and care they receive as well as the quality of their home improvements.”

In the same awards, Keepmoat has also been shortlisted in the training category for its commitment to employment and skills at its Middleton development in Leeds. In partnership with Sanctuary Group, the company recruited two apprentice bricklayers and two apprentice general construction operatives on the 122-home development. Work experience placement opportunities were also provided for eleven people and approximately 60 students from local schools and colleges have benefitted from visits to the site to find out more information about the construction industry.

The awards will be presented at a glittering ceremony on Friday 21 March at the Royal Armouries in Leeds and there are eleven award categories.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Craig Downs .