School refurbishment feasibility study brief
Refurbishment feasibility on an occupied site is dominated by phasing logic: how to keep the school open while strip-out, asbestos removal and re-services work proceeds. The risk register earns its keep.
Whole-school refurbishment scope
Condition survey (refreshed), R&D2 asbestos survey, M&E adequacy report, options appraisal (full refurb vs phased refurb vs partial-replace), occupied-site phasing strategy, Cost Plan A, planning impact assessment, full risk register.
Occupied-site phasing
Phasing is the single biggest fee driver. A three-phase plan with summer-holiday peaks is the common shape; the brief must require the consultant to model curriculum impact, decant space and parent-communications burden.
Asbestos and R&D2
HSG264 R&D2 survey is mandatory before any intrusive works [source: HSE HSG264, verified 2026-06-24]. The brief must commission a refresh of the asbestos register and an R&D2 plan; budget £4,000-£12,000 for the survey itself depending on building age and area.
Typical fee envelope
Stage 0-2 multidisciplinary for a 1980s secondary refurb commonly £25,000-£42,500. Phasing complexity at the upper end.
Funding route
CIF is the primary route for individual building elements (roof, windows, boiler). SCA is the route for large MAT block refurbishment programmes managed in-house [source: SCA 2025-26, verified 2026-06-24].