Undertaking work in care homes calls for understanding, empathy, experience and knowledge.
At Cortec we specialise in care home projects. We understand what you need – and exactly how you need it delivered.
If you are looking for a main contractor for your care home development these are the four key qualities that will ensure everything runs smoothly.
1: Flexibility
“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.”
Albert Einstein
But, there is always that little matter of ‘the best-laid plans of mice and men’ to consider.
Things happen. Things change. And they often do so unexpectedly.
Care homes are very busy places, and at their heart are people. Lovely, unpredictable people.
That’s why you need a supremely flexible contractor who is prepared to adapt to your requirements, even when these suddenly change.
You may well want your project to be phased, to minimise its impact. These phases could vary massively in scope, duration and the length of the ‘rest’ periods in between. And, of course, this timing is likely to change as the job progresses.
Your contractor needs to be able to accommodate this.
They need to plan disruptive works, such as power outages, at times when the rest of us are tucked up in bed.
They need to be flexible and responsive – at all times.
2: Caring
“We may never know all the good a simple smile can do.”
Mother Theresa
Our team never forgets they are working in someone’s home.
It’s not primarily a workplace, it’s not a hospital, it’s not a hotel and it most certainly is not a site. It’s a home.
Health and safety is, of course, paramount. But, we also understand what a difference it makes to those who live in your home when we stop and chat, share a joke or simply smile.
And it’s not just the residents that the work disturbs.
The staff have to accommodate the comings and goings. They have to work around the inevitable disruptions and inconveniences.
Having a contractor that can establish rapport with those in the care home goes a long way to making everything seem more manageable.
A smile or two can really smooth the way.
3: Maintaining an open book
“Good communication is the bridge between confusion and clarity.”
Nat Turner
On care home projects if everyone is not kept clearly and constantly in the loop then things have a tendency to get quickly tied up in knots.
Without effective, timely communication – between the site manager, project manager and care home staff – disruption and delays are inevitable.
And keeping the communication flowing is all about making yourself accessible. We’re not just thinking here about those who coordinate and plan the work. Most issues bubble up from the ground before they explode at the top. If the site team are approachable then any issues can be quickly raised with them by your care home staff, and dealt with just as effectively.
Maintaining an open book is the key to a happy ending.
4: Respectful
“Without respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts?”
Confucius
Care homes are sensitive environments.
In many residential projects, the family will probably only be around, at most, half the time. In fact, most our larger residential projects are carried out before the family even move in!
But in a care home there is always someone in.
And there is also the fact that this is a business, as well as a home. You have a strong duty of care to those you look after, and a reputation to protect and preserve.
That’s why it is vital that those who work at your care home are extremely respectful, courteous and professional at all times. There can be no foul language, off-colour jokes or loud behaviour when on your premises.
And the working areas must be kept impeccably tidy – with the needs of the care home always placed above all other considerations.
A tidy site is not only a safe site: it’s a sign of respect.
Can we help you?
If you’d like to discuss your care home project with us call on 01483 756575
or send us a mail at enquiries@cortec.co.uk.