Kenmore Hotel
Working for our client in partnership with Mackenzie Strickland Associates, AGB deployed our craftsmanship skills and expertise to refurbish a listed, derelict boathouse. The building was completely refurbished inside and out, including the provision of a new roof, by our team who skilfully dealt with all the challenges that come with working in a listed building environment. The boathouse was transformed in to comfortable, modern guest accommodation ideal for attracting visitors to the area.
Subsequently AGB completed the build of 2 new properties for this client. Semi-detached cottages, in close proximity to, the historic Kenmore wall. Working in consultation with Historic Scotland, our team took down the wall stone by stone to facilitate the construction of the cottages. The wall was rebuilt it to the exact prior detailing. All properties are now 5* holiday let accommodation, part of the Kenmore Hotel Group.
“The problems of dealing with builders and building projects in general are legendary and usually a good supply of aspirin is needed to carry one through to completion.
I have carried out projects in Europe, England but mostly Scotland. In the main most builders try to satisfy their clients but almost invariably there are problems in quality of finish, time, overspend etc unless you have the AGB experience.
AGB tendered on a small development of mine in Kenmore. There was a renovation of an old cottage and two new semi-detached cottages and with the added complication of being in a conservation area with a complicated problem with a historic wall. They were the chosen best tenderer but there was some initial nervousness as I had never dealt with the company before. They seemed very straightforward, honest and keen to finish the job to the highest standard …….. and …………. they did just that! The project was finished on time, on budget and to the highest quality. Any teething problem was immediately resolved and therefore I have no hesitation in recommending AGB. I would be happy for anyone to examine the quality of their work.
Finally……..thank you AGB.”
“Having been recommended to us by several other local Architects, I worked recently with AGB on a number of projects in the village of Kenmore. The projects ranged from new build holiday homes on a tight riverside site to the sensitive refurbishment and extension to a number of listed buildings within a historic conservation area. Allan’s ‘hands on’ approach to managing progress and monitoring the build quality was invaluable in delivering a complex project to a tight programme whilst maintaining the high level of finish quality required for five star holiday accommodation. Build costs were competitive and monitored and controlled efficiently by Billy during the build, with any cost adjustments during construction negotiated swiftly in a fair and transparent fashion. Opportunities for savings which were regularly identified by AGB where appropriate.
In today’s climate of restricted budgets, strict deadlines and tight profit margins it is easy to resort to an adversarial and contractual approach when the inevitable problems arise during construction. It was refreshing to have a contractor who worked in partnership with the design team and client to find pragmatic, cost effective solutions to the unforeseen on-site challenges that cropped up. Similarly, AGB took the initiative to re-programmed works to mitigate potential time delays that would otherwise have been caused by circumstances outwith their control.
It is rare these days to have a project where the “snagging list” at project completion is short enough to fit on a single sheet of A4. It is testament to AGB’s proactive management and quality of work that all the Kenmore projects fall into this category. Most importantly the result was a very satisfied client and a product that we all can be proud of, and McKenzie Strickland Associates would not hesitate to work with AGB again on future projects.”
