Tony Masters, Regional Manager at Aliva UK comments that recent news headlines have featured the Building Safety Regulator’s Health and Safety Executive deputy director quoted as ‘underestimating’ the challenge of the new regime for the industry, with around 75% of applications for higher risk buildings still being rejected at Gateway 2 stage for pre-construction approval because of missing or flawed information.
As an experienced partner for Gateway 2 compliance, we have a demonstrable track record of working with architects, main contractors and cladding contractors to submit successful applications time and time again.
In the construction industry, it’s common to see main contractor quantity surveyors, design managers, and other project stakeholders playing different systems off against each other in pursuit of marginal cost savings.
While this approach may appear pragmatic on the surface, in practice it often leads to inefficiency, delays, and greater costs further down the line. This strategy consumes valuable time and internal resources, with teams investing significant effort into repeated value engineering exercises.
Ironically, the result is often increased project spend and programme slippage, the very outcomes these efforts are intended to avoid.
Nowhere is this more apparent than in the preparation of Gateway 2 (GW2) submissions. Late decision-making on system selection erodes the quality of submissions and creates unnecessary risk by compressing timelines and limiting the robustness of the supporting detail.
There is a better way forward.
By engaging early with the supply chain and establishing clear agreements, supported by defined packages, costed against a consistent set of finishes, and backed by the necessary technical support, certification, and test data, we can achieve both cost certainty and programme clarity.
This proactive approach ensures that Gateway 2 submissions are based on reliable, comprehensive information, and it provides a stable foundation for subsequent stages of the project.
Rather than relying on reactive cost-cutting tactics, the industry must adopt a more strategic, collaborative mindset. When we invest time at the outset to plan properly, we avoid costly delays later. It’s not just about saving money, it’s about delivering projects more efficiently and with greater confidence.
Aliva’s expertise in managing compliance, minimising risks, improving construction quality, and providing ongoing safety support makes us an invaluable partner in today’s construction industry and Gateway 2 compliance landscape.
To ensure the success and safety of your next project, partner with Aliva. Contact us to discuss how our Gateway 2 expertise can safeguard your building project from start to finish.
Contact: tonym@gruppoivas.co.uk to start an Aliva UK Gateway 2 conversation.
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