RefurbishmentProgramme

The Refurbishment Programme is a planned, coordinated set of projects aimed at renewing and upgrading existing buildings, infrastructure, or assets. Its purpose is to extend useful life, ensure safety and regulatory compliance, improve performance, and adapt spaces for current or future needs. Typical works include structural repairs, facade and roofing improvements, upgrades to mechanical and electrical systems, accessibility enhancements, and measures to raise energy efficiency or reduce carbon emissions.

Scope and application: It is used by public authorities, housing associations, and private owners to manage aging stock or facilities. A refurbishment programme may run as a rolling, multi-year plan rather than a single project, and often sits within an asset management framework that links to capital planning and budgets.

Process and governance: Key stages include asset condition surveys, prioritisation, business-case development, design and procurement, construction, commissioning, and post-occupancy evaluation. Governance typically involves a programme management office or equivalent, a steering group, defined funding sources, and risk and stakeholder management.

Outcomes and risks: Expected benefits include extended asset life, lower lifecycle costs, improved safety and accessibility, better energy performance, and enhanced user satisfaction. Risks include cost overruns, schedule slippage, scope creep, disruption to occupants, and changes in regulations or funding.

Examples: Public housing modernisation, school upgrades, hospital refurbishments, and office redevelopments that replace or renew aged infrastructure while retaining the original asset where feasible.