Updated: 13th January, 2025
Created: 7th January, 2025
Robert joined Barker in 2002 and is a Partner based in our Braintree office. A Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, he has over 20 years’ experience of all core building surveying services and provides strategic estates advice to key accounts in the education, commercial, ecclesiastical and public sectors.
An education specialist, he provides the following services: estates and energy strategy, asset management planning, project management and capital funding applications.
Robert works closely with clients to plan and implement energy efficiency and sustainability strategies to save money, reduce carbon emissions and meet ESG objectives.
As a RICS Certified Historic Buildings Professional he provides conservation consultancy for clients with listed and historic buildings.
Robert is an experienced APC Assessor and Chairman and is also an external examiner for Anglia Ruskin University
As a Partner Robert leads the Business Development and Marketing function at Barker, builds relationships with key sector bodies and helps steer the strategic growth of the company.
Email: rgould@barker-associates.co.uk
Tel: 01279 648057
Thorough planning is essential when preparing for any school construction project. Conducting a feasibility study is a critical step in the planning phase and helps to ensure a successful project outcome. This type of study is undertaken to evaluate various aspects that will determine the overall viability of the project. Educational institutions often have restricted budgets and rely on feasibility studies to support informed decision-making, so resources can be allocated appropriately, reducing the risk of costly mistakes that can negatively impact the learning environment and annual budget.
In this blog, we have looked at what a feasibility study is and what it involves, why having a school feasibility study is important, and how Barker can help you with your next construction project.
A feasibility study is an assessment that evaluates how practical a school construction project is, and the project’s potential for success. Various factors are included, from cost estimates and available funding to site suitability, regulation compliance and conceptual design work. The results of the study help identify aspects of the project that may be challenging as well as uncover potential opportunities for improvement. This allows those involved in the project to make informed decisions on how to proceed, in a way that optimises the project’s final execution and produces the best results.
Feasibility studies for schools play a vital role in the early stages of a construction project. They are key to finding a balance between the needs of the school and its students, and what is possible with the limitations of the available budget and resources. The results of a feasibility study offer a practical guide, providing essential insights and recommendations to help navigate the complexities of a construction project. There are various factors that a feasibility study will assess;
One of the key assessments undertaken during a feasibility study is determining how suitable the proposed site is to reduce the risk of running into costly issues in the future. There are many aspects to consider;
With tight budgets in the educational sector and the need to demonstrate value for money, feasibility studies are a great way to assess if a project will be financially viable. By identifying the project needs, constraints and potential options for the project, more accurate plans can be developed and considered. It also provides insight into whether or not the school will need to look at funding options. An early and clear breakdown of financial viability allows decision-makers to either go forward with plans or amend them, to ensure the best and most cost-effective outcome for the school before committing more time and resources to the project.
Complying with regulations is essential for school construction projects, to ensure safety, accessibility and environmental standards. A school feasibility study will examine the proposed project to assess and determine its regulatory compliance and highlight any issues that may require particular attention. Checking whether a project is legally feasible and compliant with all required regulations during the early planning stage can reduce the risk of financial penalties and project delays.
Arranging feasibility studies for school construction projects can be hugely beneficial in several ways;
The findings of a feasibility study can be incredibly useful during the conceptual design phase of a project. This phase involves working with architecture and design teams to explore different options and create a plan that captures your vision. Conceptual designs bring ideas to life while ensuring the findings from the feasibility study are accounted for, giving those involved a real idea of what the finished design may look like.
Working with education experts is the best way to ensure nothing important is overlooked during your feasibility study. Specialists like our team at Barker will take the time to understand your needs and conduct a comprehensive feasibility analysis to see how well your plans hold up against the budget you have, any time constraints, current legal regulations and other practical considerations. The findings of our feasibility studies allow us to identify the best way forward to achieve the result you’re looking for.
At Barker, we have specialist industry knowledge, and our team is highly experienced, so you can rely on us to perform feasibility studies for schools to the highest possible standard. To support your decision-making processes, we will convey our findings clearly and concisely, and we are more than happy to provide tailored advice about your construction project. Our project management services can guide you from the start of your project to completion. Whether you need assistance with feasibility studies or help with funding applications, we have the knowledge required to turn your ideas into reality.
Should you wish to discuss any of our services in more detail, contact our team today and see how we can help with your project.