Timber pivot windows in four blocks, which had been installed 30 years previously were failing, and the University’s surveyors were faced with the challenge of replacing the defective frames to maintain the necessary safety and comfort levels of its students if an effective maintenance solution could not be found.
The University of Strathclyde engaged Mila Window and Door Maintenance to carry out specialist repairs to timber pivot windows in the Andrew Ure student accommodation buildings, and the company responded by delivering a fast and cost effective solution.
Mila Window and Door Maintenance had carried out specialist repairs and maintenance services at other parts of the University’s campus in Glasgow and had demonstrated the value of its worth to the team of surveyors responsible for the management of its assets around the city.
We estimated that the cost of replacing the failing windows could have been as much as £300,000. Our solution cost closer to £35,000, delivering valuable savings for the university.
Additional benefits included minimal disruption experienced by students as each window was refurbished in just 2 hours by our team of NVQ qualified maintenance engineers who are trained to provide a polite and friendly service to residents and tenants.
How we achieved this
We work with a very robust group of supply chain partners who we can call on at any time. This, coupled to the extensive knowledge of our in-house technical team means we can always find a solution; it is one of our strengths as a very specialist repairs and maintenance company.
In this case our experience was vital. Using the original design drawings of the hinges – which were 30 years old – we had new replacement hinges designed and manufactured to enable us to restore the windows to their original operating integrity.
The benefits to the client were significant
Not only in terms of giving the students a safe environment in which to work and live, but we estimate that we were able to save them an incredible 90% of the cost of replacing the windows by being able to find and deliver an effective repairs and maintenance solution.
Speaking for the University of Strathclyde Barry Morton, the Senior Building Surveyor commented “Mila Window and Door Maintenance delivered a service which exceeded my expectations”
By sourcing and delivering the bespoke hinges, they enabled us to retain the windows which were already in place and to deliver us a much more competitive solution which did not compromise in any way on quality. The fact that each window was repaired in an agreed two-hour time slot also ensured that there was no significant disruption to our students and demonstrated excellent customer care.
The life of the windows has been considerably extended which saves valuable financial resources for us, and of course reduces waste which is an important part of our ethos.
