Our Services
One programme manager, three ways to build
Axentia programme-manages the whole facility under all delivery models, and can act as Principal Contractor itself on projects under £500,000. Whichever route fits your project, one Axentia team carries it from the first conversation through to an accredited, operational building.
Our Services
One programme manager, two ways to build
Axentia programme-manages the whole facility under either delivery model, and can act as Principal Contractor itself on projects under £500,000. Whichever route fits your project, one Axentia team carries it from the first conversation through to an accredited, operational building.
Our delivery value chain
First conversation to operational facility
Five RIBA-aligned stages, each carrying its own activity list and the point at which the client is involved:
Stage 01
Feasibility Study
RIBA 0–1
- Scope assessment
- Draft budget
- Draft timeline
- Staff resource assessment
- Regulatory assessment
Client outlines requirements
Stage 02
Business Case
RIBA 0–1
- Cost planning
- Programme and schedule
- Risk assessment
- Coordination of the business case for client sign-off
Client approves business case
Stage 03
Design & Innovation
RIBA 2–4
- Listen to client needs and understand end-user requirements in detail
- Appoint and manage professional services teams
- Coordinate the design brief
Produce detailed, innovation-led design - Statutory compliance and sustainability assessment
Client-involved design reviews
Stage 04
Construction & Fit-Out
RIBA 5
- Manage the tender and appoint contractors
- Oversee construction and fit-out; cost control and quality assurance
- Fixtures and fittings
- Build what the end user wants, and return to design if that changes
Client progress walk-throughs
Stage 05
Accreditation & Start-Up
RIBA 6
- Create, implement and manage a detailed equipment and staff transfer plan
- Confirm the transfer executed optimally and revisit if needed
- Validation of methods
- ISO and governing-body accreditation
- Handover to operation
Client handover and sign-off
Axentia acts as a single point of accountability across all stages – one team, one brief, one build, from concept to accredited, operational facility.
£150,000 – £25m
Programme Value Range
Feasibility → Accreditation
Full lifecycle scope
ISO 17025 & ISO 15189
Regulatory outcomes
UK & Europe
Geographic reach
Core Operating Models
How we can help you deliver
Each model changes who holds the contracts – but Axentia always leads the delivery. Select a model to see its structure, benefits and case studies.
01
Principal Contractor
The Client contracts the design team, Axentia and the principal contractor. Axentia sets the brief and budget and coordinates delivery end-to-end.
Explore model
02
Construction Management
Axentia manages construction directly, removing the need for a principal contractor and taking ownership of delivery on site.
Explore model
03
Axentia as Principal Contractor
A single contract with Axentia. We hold the consultant and sub-contractor agreements and deliver the whole project to an agreed price.
Explore model
Compare
Comparison of each model
Three ways to engage Axentia – the more we take on, the less the client carries. Here’s how the models stack up.
Swipe for full table
| Principal Contractor | Construction Manager | Axentia as Principal Contractor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benefits |
✓Transparency — Fixed brief and budget to adhere to
✓Flexibility — Use of established contractors, flexible resource approach, plus freedom to flex your requirements mid-project as your business evolves
✓Cost — Use of Axentia only where needed
✓Warranty — Two layers, at PC & SC level
|
✓Transparency — Fixed brief & budget, allows use of Axentia’s trusted partners
✓Flexibility — Flexible resource approach, plus freedom to flex your requirements mid-project as your business evolves
✓Cost — Potentially lower than an external PC
✓Warranty — Single, at SC level
|
✓Transparency — Fixed brief & budget, allows use of Axentia’s trusted partners
✓Flexibility — Faster turnaround, flexible resource approach, plus freedom to flex your requirements mid-project as your business evolves
✓Cost — Lower than other models, price set up front
✓Warranty — Two layers, at PC & SC level
|
| What’s included |
›End-to-end project management, from concept through to accreditation
›Feasibility study, full design & business case
›Appoints & manages the external principal contractor, subcontractors & consultants on the client’s behalf
›Provides expert consultants & contractors as required
|
All Principal Contractor features, plus:
›Full construction management — direct management of all contracted trade firms and the construction site, on the client’s behalf
›Removes the need for an external principal contractor — Axentia owns the whole process
|
All Construction Management features, plus:
›Axentia is the Principal Contractor — no external PC; single-point contractual responsibility for the whole build
›Manages all SC invoicing & payments, with fewer touchpoints for the client
|
| Suited for | Medium-to-large-scale projects with an external principal contractor.
£500,000 – £25 million |
Medium-to-large-scale projects looking to outsource delivery.
£500,000 – £25 million |
Smaller projects needing single ownership & a flexible approach to build.
Up to £500,000 |
| Examples |
Services FAQs
My laboratory or clinical build project is over £25 million. Could you still construction manage my project?
We look at every project on a case-by-case basis, and your project may not be excluded if it is above our published range. We may still take it on after discussing the details, so please feel free to contact us.
How do I know which delivery model is right for my project?
Axentia programme-manages the full scope in every case. The delivery model only changes who holds and manages the construction packages, so the choice comes down to three things:
- Value. Under £500,000 we can act as Principal Contractor ourselves: one contract, one point of contractual responsibility, price agreed up front. From £500,000 to £25 million, either Construction Management or an external principal contractor applies.
- How much you expect to flex mid-build. Construction Management lets you change requirements as your business evolves, with no additional margin applied to mid-build variations. An external principal contractor package suits a scope you expect to hold.
- Warranty structure. Construction Management gives a single warranty layer at sub-contractor level; an external principal contractor gives two, at principal-contractor and sub-contractor level.
If you are not sure, talk to us before you commit. The model is usually clear after one conversation about scope, value and timeline.
What procurement strategy should be used for construction?
Common routes are Design-Bid-Build (traditional; lowest risk to the client but the longest timeline), Design-Build (faster, single point of responsibility, less client control), Construction Management at-risk (well suited to complex projects on tight timelines) and Integrated Project Delivery, which is collaborative and increasingly common in healthcare. The right choice depends on complexity, timeline urgency, how you want risk allocated, and the availability of capable trades in the region.
Under our Construction Management model we tender trade packages on an open book and appoint them on your behalf, so you can see what each package costs, who was considered and why it was awarded.
Not sure which model fits your project?
Talk to our team about your facility, budget and timeline — we’ll recommend the right route to delivery.