Testimonials

WMBC are a major local authority on the outskirts of Birmingham with an extensive road network. Steve Pretty, Head of Engineering & Transportation Services:

“Peter Gracia has provided advice on many major projects undertaken by the authority and covers contractual and procurement matters with equal ability. Our projects have included major road schemes, PFI Credit Applications, consultant’s framework agreements, highways repair and maintenance projects etc.”

The DEVCO/GENuS Consortium consist of almost 50% of RSL’s in Wales and co-ordinates the procurement of Development Projects to meet with the Welsh Assembly Government’s plans for more cohesive procurement. Tim Beckingsale of Fairlake Properties:

“Gracia Consult has delivered a rapid, robust and practical development framework agreement within a very short timescale. As a group of organisations the Consortium needed a mechanism for complying with European Legislation and bringing on board some 20 contractors. We have now done that and GCon has provided a procurement strategy, framework agreement, contractor selection process, contract training etc. to allow us to match the requirements of WAG. We are developing new strategies with Gracia Consult and look forward to the challenges ahead.”

Haven provides mechanical and electrical installations and facilities management to many large production facilities throughout the

. Alan Parry, Managing Director:

“Gracia Consult has stepped into to even the odds when we have had problems with very large organisations. Previously we did not realise that there were people out there specialising in this kind of work. While our business has grown to over 20 engineers it is still daunting to deal with multi national companies who use solicitors on a daily basis. We always try to settle any problems amicably but where that has failed it has been great to bring Gracia Consult in to meetings where they often make the other side’s expensive lawyers sit up and take notice. We have recovered substantial sums with their assistance over the past years and we can recommend them as people who know about construction law and can get stuck into problems quickly.”

Crupron are pipework specialist for process plant projects. Len Hughes, Managing Director:

“When we first had a dispute over payment on our hands we made the mistake of going to a local solicitor. After some months of very little progress but heavy bills it became obvious we were not getting anywhere. As the main contractor we were chasing appeared to be financially rocky we were anxious to get something done quickly. Peter Gracia began an adjudication procedure against the other side and we were offered, and accepted, a settlement figure we were happy with. A few months later the main contractor went bust but we had recovered our money thanks to Gracia Consult. We have recommended them to at least 2 other contractors and know they have settled matters on their behalf as well.”

Hi Tech Roofing Ltd is a developing company that experienced problems dealing with a larger, main contractor. They were advised by their professional association to use a firm of solitors in Bristol who wanted to charge £250/hr. This is from the e mail they forwarded to the NFRC after we recovered their money. Lee Lewis, Managing Director:

"We had a meeting with XXXX XXXX in Bristol, about recovering monies owed to us. After the meeting, we thought we would seek a second opinion. We contacted Peter Gracia of Gracia Consult on a recommendation by a friend of mine. From day one we felt Peter Gracia was the right person for us to use. Without going into detail, we won the case and were awarded all monies owed including Adjudication fees. I feel if it were not for Peters hard work and knowledge we would have lost the case. I would recommend all NFRC members to use Gracia Consult, his fees are nearlly half that of other companys.

And now a reality check. Please be aware that if you involved in any construction dispute you will need some form of evidence (Records! Records! Records!) to allow you to make a good case. Please be realistic about what you might be able to recover and be aware there will costs involved in every formal recovery process i.e. adjudication, arbitration, litigation. Also seeking payment from a failing company is often a waste of time and money. And sometimes it is just down to an odd decision being reached by an adjudicator, arbitrator or judge (we are not solicitors and do not represent parties in court).