Cosway Homes

Source: Construction Digital

Date :05/12/2007 17:02:56

Cosway Homes is a company proud of developing individual and luxury homes. Exec UK discovers how the company built a reputation for quality housing

Written by Lucy Mowatt and produced by Nicholas Davies

Run as a private partnership, Cosway Homes is a business that is developing a brand name at a rapid rate. Established in 1999 as a housing development consultancy firm, it had an altogether different focus; at that point the company would source land and agree on a price with the agent, before creating a package for a development, including planning permission. These projects would then be sold to a building company, rather than fulfilled by Cosway Homes itself.

Now however, the company is capable of completing new build projects and although it was a major decision, it is one that has paid off. The company’s managing director says: “Although there will be a short period where you don’t make any money, while buildings are going up for example, this eventually pays off.” The company is now developing seven sites and is thriving on its new focus.

Ian Berrett is the company’s Land Director. His role involves sourcing land from agents and landowners and establishing how much Cosway will pay to acquire it before putting together a bid. He also works with architects to get schemes drawn up for the site so that work can begin as quickly as possible.

The managing director looks after the financial and legal sides of the business to ensure that projects are on plan and that the team are all on task. Overall, he ensures that the business flows smoothly, so that projects can be completed on time and on budget. He is also one of the partners of the business, which means that he and his partner work together to make decisions on behalf of the company.

Experienced staff

Four people are employed by the company full-time, while Cosway Homes makes use of a wide range of trusted contractors to complete a number of tasks. The MD explains: “We do a lot of work with surveyors, the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, site managers and lawyers. Our team, though, is essentially small, and that’s the way we’d like to keep it. It means that the business is more productive.” He goes onto explain that all of his workforce is well trained and know their industry, so that they can provide their expertise throughout a project.

Cosway Homes is a part of the Cosway Group, which includes an estate agent, a home improvements business and in the future will incorporate a commercial property business. This focused business group has a range of experience, and Cosway Estates is capable of selling the properties developed by Cosway Homes.

The projects carried out by Cosway Homes all tend to be in the south-east region of England, especially around the London area. Current developments include Gordon Avenue in Stanmore, Hatch End in Pinner, Hillingdon Gardens and a site in Ruislip. Every home is also certified according to NHBC standards, which means that the homes meet current construction standards.

The homes and apartments developed by the company are all luxury properties, which have interiors that are contemporary and individual. In order to ensure that all of the houses meet customer expectations, Cosway takes every detail into consideration, including whether the materials it uses are ethically sourced where possible. It also works closely with its partner, Hertfordshire-based M&Y Interiors.

The two companies work together to create a comfortable yet stylish home which is light and spacious. Cosway Homes has also worked with Porcelanosa for the bathrooms and kitchens of its properties, for high quality and striking interiors.

Security systems

The attention to detail is also carried into the surroundings. Even communal areas in apartment blocks are designed to be comfortable and welcoming, while balconies are equipped with lighting systems and shared garden areas are landscaped.

A number of properties also come with allocated parking spaces for the occupants, while video systems watch over some of the parking areas. The Gordon Avenue apartment block has vehicular gates too, for added security. This complex of homes has a video entry system for occupants too, while the properties in Ruislip have telephone entry systems. Security is important to these luxury homes and CCTV is therefore available across some areas of communal car parks and homes come ready-wired for security systems.

In the future, Cosway Homes is looking to take on new projects in the south of England. Apartment projects in Watford, family homes in Hillingdon and a one-off family home in Elstree are currently in the planning stages of development. Part of Ian Berrett’s role is to seek out new land for new developments, which is an ongoing process involving large amounts of planning in order to maximise the value of the land and to meet the approval of the local authorities.

Branding

All of these developments mean that the company is growing rapidly. As its properties start to enter the market, the managing director is fully expecting the company’s turnover to substantially increase.

In keeping with the company’s modern image, a new brand has been developed to reflect the style of the properties, which is essential to the whole business. Working with The Creative Clinic, the company has developed a new logo and brand. The new website is easy to access and provides information on new developments and plans. This is supporting the business and its ongoing development.

It looks to be an exciting time to be involved with Cosway Homes. With its rapidly developing portfolio, new brand and extensive expertise, it would appear that the housing developer will continue to new customers looking for quality, contemporary houses and apartments.