Design. Manage. Build. Deliver
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Meet Antony – Owner of Urban Designs and Developments
With over 26 years of experience in the construction industry, Antony’s journey began like many others, through hands-on work. Straight out of school, he explored various career paths before discovering his passion while working for a friend’s family business. Initially starting out as a labourer, Antony quickly realised that he had a keen eye for detail and a drive to be self-employed. What began as smaller, one-man projects quickly grew, thanks to his dedication and commitment to quality.
Building a Business: Overcoming Early Challenges
Like many entrepreneurs, Antony faced early challenges, particularly in balancing the sheer volume of work on his own. While his business was growing rapidly through recommendations, he found himself stretched too thin, trying to manage every aspect of the projects by himself. His solution was simple but transformative, building a strong, reliable team. Trusting others to help maintain the high standards he set was a difficult step, but it allowed his business to flourish while ensuring clients received the best service possible.
Transparency and Client Communication
From day one, Antony has been committed to keeping his clients informed. He believes in providing detailed tenders, quotations, and estimates to give clients complete clarity on what they can expect from their projects. “It’s their house – they’ve got every right to know what’s going on” he explains. Whether it’s sharing good or bad news, he ensures that clients are involved as much as they’d like. Offering solutions, not problems in the design and build process.
“It’s their house - they’ve got every right to know what’s going on”
Managing Projects with Precision
In an industry notorious for delays, Antony prides himself on the ability to deliver projects on time. He attributes this success to meticulous management of materials, trades, and timelines, as well as clear communication with both the team and clients. Building solid relationships with suppliers has been key, ensuring that materials are available when needed, which helps avoid the common delays that plague construction projects. For Antony, it’s all about “being completely on top of things” and working with a trusted network of tradespeople to make sure everything runs smoothly.
What Sets Urban Designs and Developments Apart
Attention to detail and effective project management are at the heart of what sets Antony’s company apart from others in the construction industry. By stepping back from the day-to-day work and focusing on coordination, Antony ensures that every project is overseen with care and precision. The systems in place at Urban Designs and Developments are seamless, with a fantastic team who share Antony’s dedication to quality. His approach to building strong client relationships and his company’s solid reputation is a testament to the success of this strategy.
Core Values: Integrity, Quality, and Communication
The company is built on four key values – integrity, quality, transparency, and communication. For Antony, these principles are non-negotiable. They form the foundation of everything Urban Designs and Developments does, from the first meeting with a client to the final handover of a completed project.
Defining Success
Success, for Antony, is not just about financial growth, but about building a company that clients trust and return to. He measures this through low staff turnover, repeat business, and the satisfaction of walking away from a completed project knowing that the clients are thrilled with their new home.
“Success to me is when people think about building a home in Reading or the surrounding areas, and Urban Designs and Developments comes to mind,” he says.
Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Antony sees the company growing, but not at the expense of the values that have made it successful. His vision for the next five to ten years involves scaling up, with a larger team and even more repeat customers. Despite the growth, Antony is committed to keeping the family-run ethos that defines his business. No matter how large the company becomes, the attention to detail and dedication to client satisfaction will always remain the same.