Choosing The Right Partner

THE MARIS METHODOLOGY:

THE INTEGRATED APPROACH

At Maris, we believe the traditional adversarial model – where architects design and builders’ price – is broken. It breeds conflict and delay. Our methodology is built on integrated Design & Build.

This means we house all disciplines under one roof: architecture, quantity surveying, project management, M&E engineering and construction delivery. This single point of accountability eliminates the “blame game.” If a design detail clashes with a structural constraint, our teams solve it internally before it reaches the site, rather than sending you a “Request for Information” (RFI) and a bill for delay damages.

The Financial Stability Stress-Test: Beyond capability, you must assess financial health. A fit-out partner acts as a bank for your project, managing cash flow across the supply chain.

• The Maris Standard
  We are privately owned, debt-free and financially robust.
• The Metric
  We hold a 93% repeat business rate. In an industry known for “hit and run” tactics, this figure is our most important validation. It proves that we don’t just win work; we deliver it in a way that brings clients back.

When vetting partners, do not just look at their portfolio pictures. Look at their balance sheet. Ask yourself: Can this company survive a supply chain crisis? Will they be here in 12 months to honour the warranty?

DEEP DIVE:

PROCUREMENT ROUTES (TRADITIONAL VS. DESIGN & BUILD)

To make an informed choice, you must understand the two primary procurement routes in the UK market.

1. Traditional Procurement
You hire an architect/designer to create a design. You then hire a cost consultant to tender that design to 3–5 construction firms.

• Pros: You get total design control upfront and “market tested” construction pricing.
• Cons: It is slow. If the tenders come back over budget (which they often do), you have to pay the architect to redesign (Value Engineering) and re-tender. The risk of design errors sits with you (the client), not the builder.

2. Design & Build (D&B)
You hire one company (like Maris) to manage both design and construction under a single contract.

• Pros: Speed and cost certainty. Because the designer and builder are on the same team, pricing is live. We design to the budget, not at it. The risk of design errors is transferred to us. It is typically 30-40% faster than traditional procurement.
• Cons: Historically, D&B was seen as “lower design quality.” However, top-tier firms now employ high-calibre architects, erasing this gap.

The Hybrid Shift

We increasingly see a “Detail & Build” model, where clients bring a concept from a branding agency, and we take on the technical design and delivery liability. This offers the best of both worlds.

MARIS TOOLS:

THE PARTNER SELECTION MATRIX

Do not rely on a “gut feeling” during the pitch. Use this matrix to score potential partners objectively.

• Financial Health:
  Request their last 3 years of audited accounts. Are they profitable? Do they have debt?
• In-House vs. Outsourced:
  Do they employ their own Project Managers and Quantity Surveyors, or are they sub-contracting key roles? (Outsourcing dilutes accountability).
• The “Live” Reference:
  Do not just call the reference on the slide deck. Ask to visit a live site currently under construction. Is it clean? Is the site manager wearing full PPE? Is the programme on the wall up to date?
• ISO Accreditations:
  Do they hold ISO 45001 (Safety), ISO 14001 (Environment), and ISO 9001 (Quality)? These are not just badges; they are audited proof of process.
• The “after-care” Question:
  Ask: “Who manages my defects period?” If they don’t have a dedicated Aftercare team, you will struggle to get the project manager back once the final invoice is paid.