DSS Developer Solutions
We support house builders and developers
clear schemes blocked from adoption
due to outstanding remedial work
How DSS Group supports house builders
Based on the information to hand and site visits, DSS develop a costed plan for the House Builder which sees us take control of the discussions and negotiations with all stakeholders.
This includes:
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Single contractor for all site works using in-house employees
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Project Management of all elements preventing adoption
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Acting as either Main Contractor or Principle Contractor we take responsibility for H&S at all stages
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Experts in adoption agreements and works
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Management and coordination of all stakeholders through constant communication



Our services include:
Review

Communication
DSS actively engage with all stakeholders from residents through local authorities, water and utility companies, telecoms, developers and all third parties involved in the adoption and release of bonds process.
Residents are the key to a smooth project. Very often they are the most affected paying full Council Taxes and Water Company Bills and not receiving the services they expected to get. In some cases they may also be being asked to pay management fees to cover works which would normally be covered by the adopting entity.

Consultancy
DSS actively engage with all stakeholders from residents through local authorities, water and utility companies, telecoms, developers and all third parties involved in the adoption and release of bonds process.
Residents are the key to a smooth project. Very often they are the most affected paying full Council Taxes and Water Company Bills and not receiving the services they expected to get. In some cases they may also be being asked to pay management fees to cover works which would normally be covered by the adopting entity.

Negotiation
DSS lead the negotiation to secure adoption and Bond release by constant liaison with the Local Authorities and Water Companies. Our clear objective is to achieve adoption and hence Bond release in a time and cost effective manner. He key is continuing communication with everyone involved plus a skilled work force.
Our unique point of reference is our ability to not only understand what is needed, but to also understand the variations in standards across the country and then to deliver the on-site wors through our own team of skilled engineers, managers and construction staff.

Every project managed by DSS
goes through standard key phases

Phase 1
Review Phase
This is a combination of office and site based research where we review the information at hand. We then verify this with initial review meetings with the local authority and water companies.
The collated information is then turned into a report which includes a detailed summary of the work to be completed, associated costs and a rough cut timetable.
You will not incur any cost at this point. Costs only accrue when you have appointed DSS to manage the adoption process on the estate.

Phase 2
Planning Phase
DSS will carry out site specific research which will include a new CCTV drainage survey if the none currently exists, the creation of a S38 adoption plan and a review of the estate wide GPS date identifying locations for SuDS, POS and Easement Areas.
On completion of this phase you will be presented with a detailed and fully costed report which will have been given tacit approval by the Local Authorities and Water Companies. We will not start any work which we don’t expect to move you closer to having the estate adopted.
The work in this phase will include:
- Liaison with the adopting authorities to agree a “to-do list”
- Complete and record a visual inspection of the roads and footpaths which will be shared with the Local Authority to ensure they don’t have any unseen issues.
- Carry out CCTV surveys of the drainage and gully network, which will result in a remedials list and eventually the as-built survey for the Water Company.
- Complete an engineering survey of the physical estate which will be compared to the agreed design in the various planning consent documents. This will confirm the estate has been built to the agreed design or generate a list of non-compliances which need to be resolved.
- Review all technical and legal requirements

Phase 3
Adoption Remedials Phase
This phase depends upon the To-Do List created during the Planning Phase and could potentially include:
- Manhole remedials
- Patches or Liners installed in drain runs
- Dig down repairs to damaged sections
- SuDS work – pond and ditch work
- Addressing problems with Pumping Stations, Flood Attenuation Systems, and Outfalls
- Roads, footpaths and communal area remedials and final surfacing
- Street lighting works
- Service diversions and utility works

Phase 4
Delivery Phase
DSS will have engaged with the adopting bodies throughout the Adoption Remedials Phase to ensure the works were to an adoptable standard.
When the works are complete DSS will then work with these bodies to ensure the drains and roads are passed over into the “maintenance phase” which should then release at least a proportion of the Bonds.
This phase is where our experienced management team prove their worth:
- Co-ordinating site visits with the adopting authorities to achieve sign-off for remedial works
- Preparation of Completion Pack with detailed reports and surveys
- Written acceptance of adopting authorities for them taking over responsibility (CDM, O&M, PS Manuals etc) to include obtaining maintenance and/or adoption certificates
- H&S Review
- Confirmation of Easements
House builders we work with

About DSS
The DSS Group of companies provides specialist drain survey and repair business, plus civils, groundworks, drainage and hard landscaping. All of our services is delivered by in-house employees who have the skills to review and understand the issues preventing adoption, survey both the drainage system and hard landscapes, carry out remedials to both drains, SuDS, roads, footpaths, Public Open Spaces and Easement Areas.
Working with a number of major House Builders we have also invested heavily in systems for data capture and reporting. Our senior management team have a combined 80 years in managing the delivery of drainage and civil engineering projects.
We operate a clear fee structure with itemised quotations for any remedial works required. From instruction to adoption we manage the whole process, reporting regularly, removing the work load and pressure on our customers management team.
Give us the problem and we will find you the solution.
Enquiry Form
Where are we based?
We cover the whole of the UK.
Head Office:
Centrix @ Keys
Hednesford
Cannock
WS12 2HA