£3m makeover for Queens Cross Housing Association

A major contract of social housing refurbishment and repairs for one the oldest and most respected housing associations in the country has been won by Procast.

The project, valued at £3million, will improve the fabric of more than 300 homes for Queens Cross Housing Association in Glasgow.

Commencing in August 2021, and running for 12 months, the works will comprise various renovations and repairs, including:

• New kitchens
• New bathrooms
• Upgrade of door-entry systems
• New heating systems
• New windows and doors
• Rewiring
• Replacement of flat entrance doors (front and rear)
• Replacement of extractor fans
• Replacement and repair of gutters and downpipes
• Boiler replacements
• Shower replacement (electric)
• Common-door replacements
• Common-window replacements
• Repairs to stone work

The much-respected QCHA is a community-based housing association with a vision to provide excellent housing in vibrant communities.

It is responsible for nearly 4,500 homes in an area that stretches north from Glasgow city centre along either side of the Forth and Clyde Canal.

This contract is part of a large-scale financial investment and wider programme of works designed to match the aspirations of the association to make the area the best place in Glasgow to live and work.

Headed up by Frank McManus, this project is another exciting opportunity secured through the Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA) Whole House 2 Framework.

He said: “The association’s housing provides 4,500 homes to local people, and their stock is varied, including multi-storey flats, deck-access properties and traditional Glasgow tenements.

“The properties are generally either traditional four-storey tenement blocks, three or four-storey flats with brick finish and two-storey terraced housing.”

The association wanted to appoint a multi-trade contractor with excellent experience of working in homes for social rent during pandemic times, together with the provision of decanting and respite areas during the works. Tender submissions were evaluated on a split of price at 40% and quality at 60%.

Queens Cross Housing Association is one of Glasgow’s largest social landlords and has been named in 2021 as one of the UK’s best housing associations to work for.

The accolade came from the Best Companies organisation in its annual round-up of the country’s best employers.

Also in Glasgow, Procast have delivered a refurbishment of traditional tenement homes for Thenue Housing Association in the Calton area.