Unit 14 Principles of Refurbishment Assignment Brief 2026

Unit 14 Principles of Refurbishment Assignment Brief

Introduction

There are buildings all over the world of different types, styles, ages and condition. Once a building has been built, there comes a need to maintain and update the property, to keep it fit for the intended purpose or prepare it for a new use. Refurbishment is a broad term that covers adaptation, alteration and extension.  The value of refurbishment to the construction industry is significant, with nearly  half of the total value of construction coming from work to existing buildings. With a reduction of available land, legislative change and a drive for increased sustainability, the need to understand refurbishment is increasingly important.

This unit gives students the opportunity to analyse the underpinning concepts of refurbishment and the options available. Students will be able to use construction knowledge from other units and apply it to a refurbishment project, taking into account the key factors that influence a scheme.

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to assess the suitability of a property for refurbishment, taking into consideration all applicable factors. The knowledge gained from the unit will be beneficial to those working in all aspects of the industry as a successful refurbishment project requires skills from all disciplines.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this unit, students will be able to:

LO1 Explore the factors that drive refurbishment and its potential benefits  and challenges

LO2 Discuss different approaches to refurbishment

LO3 Illustrate the project process for a given refurbishment scheme

LO4 Prepare an initial scheme for a refurbishment project to meet a client brief.

Essential Content

LO1 Explore the factors that drive refurbishment and its potential benefits  and challenges

Need for refurbishment

Ageing property stock

Obsolescence (economic, functional, physical, social, legal)

Demographic changes

Legislative changes

Deterioration of the fabric

Safety of existing structure

Preservation of the historic environment

Decline in performance

Environmental and sustainability needs

Societal trends

Benefits of refurbishment

Improved sustainability (e.g., better energy performance, reduction in materials) Retaining local/historical character

Cost reduction (e.g., lower energy costs, lower ongoing maintenance costs)

Improved visual appeal

Increased safety (e.g., fire, environmental)

Challenges of refurbishment

Safety (e.g., work to existing buildings, structural stability) Financial risks (e.g., value of ‘new’ vs value of refurbished)

Availability of specialist trades/materials (e.g., work to historic buildings)

Sustainability (e.g., ability of building to accommodate sustainable interventions)

LO2 Discuss different approaches to refurbishment

Types of refurbishment

Preservation

Conservation

Restoration

Retrofit

Rehabilitation

Renovation

Remodelling

Scale of refurbishment

Small (e.g., minor upgrades of the fabric, small-scale lateral extensions)

Medium (e.g., major upgrades, larger lateral and vertical extensions, radical internal changes and alterations)

Large (e.g., extensive alterations, upgrades and extensions, additional storey above or below ground, façade retention etc.)

LO3 Illustrate the project process for a given refurbishment scheme

Project initiation

Identification of need

Initial survey/inspection to ascertain the basic details of the property

Feasibility

Detailed survey (structural appraisal and diagnosis of faults)

Evaluation and options (e.g., initial cost estimate, proceed with refurb  or demolish)

Detailed scheme design

Legal considerations (planning, building regulations etc.)

Information production

Tender

Construction

Monitoring works

Checking quality

Managing changes

Handover

Commissioning

Defects (e.g., snagging, correcting defects, defects liability period)

Occupancy

Building regulation compliance Certificate of occupancy

LO4 Prepare an initial scheme for a refurbishment project to meet a client brief

Existing information As-built drawings

Survey reports

Structural reports

Client brief

Project type (e.g., residential, commercial, industrial)

Client need (e.g., improve performance, make safe, enhance commercial viability, change of use) Budget

Initial schemes

Design drawings

Cost estimates

Client approval

Legislative compliance

Risk assessment

Detail/production design Construction drawings

Specifications

Schedules

Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria