When we think about property development, most of us imagine the finished result. A beautifully restored home, newly built modern apartments or a fresh suburban home ready to be moved into. But, behind every polished development project is a long journey of planning, sourcing and building. Intricate decisions need to be made, months of planning and teamwork. At Presence & Co. we believe the story goes beyond the walls – here’s a closer look at what goes on behind the scenes of a development project.
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Sourcing the Right Opportunities
Every development begins long before the first brick is laid. Sourcing the right project is about spotting potential, this could be a building that is ready to be brought back to life or a piece of land with room for something new.
At this stage, we assess location, demand and character. For example, our projects at Little Mount Sion and Camden Hill in Tunbridge Wells started with a vision: to create home that respected their surroundings and offering modern comfort. Sourcing is both strategic and creative. It requires research into planning permissions, conversations with local stakeholders and a clear understanding of market trends.
Behind the scenes, this often means weeks (or months) of due diligence, meetings with surveyors, financial feasibility studies, and site visits. It’s a balancing act: weighing the potential of a project against the possible risks. For Presence & Co., sourcing isn’t just about numbers on a page – it’s about seeing potential where others may not, and imagining how a building or space can be transformed into somewhere people genuinely want to live.
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Planning Every Detail
Once a site is secured, planning then begins. This stage is about balancing ambition with practicality. Planning involves:
- Working with architects and designers to create layouts that are both beautiful and functional.
- Engaging with planners and local councils to ensure proposals meet regulations and local needs.
- Considering sustainability and energy efficiency from the outset so our developments are long standing.
- Forecasting costs and timelines to make sure the project is on track
Behind the scenes, countless meetings are held, designs are refined to every last detail and compromises are made to achieve the best outcome.
It can be a long process of listening and responding. For us at Presence &Co., its about making sure the development adds value not only for future homeowners but for the neighbourhood as well.
Our work on Camden Hill for example is a project that required us to carefully plan around the buildings existing character while updating it to meet modern standards. Balancing heritage with innovation can be tricky, but it’s what makes development so rewarding!
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Building and Problem Solving
The building phase is where ideas turn into reality. Even with the most detailed planning, surprises can often still pop up in development, like unexpected site conditions or supply chain errors. Adaptability and partnership comes hand in hand in situations like this, as behind hard hats are contractors, engineers and project managers who work together to keep it all moving forward.
At Presence & Co., we stay closely involved during construction. We conduct regular site visits, progress checks and constant communication with our teams. Sometimes this can involve quick decisions to address issues like weather delays, material shortages, or technical adjustments. It’s rarely a completely smooth ride, but the key is problem-solving in real time and ensuring the project doesn’t lose momentum.
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Finishing Touches
As a project nears completion, the focus shifts to the finer details, like interior and landscaping to ensure everything is up to standard. This stage might look calm before the grand reveal, but behind the scenes can be high energy, with every surface polished and all fittings double checked.
At Little Mount Sion, for example, we spent considerable time perfecting interior layouts to make the most of natural light and finishing details to give each home a sense of individuality. For residents, these small details make the difference between a house and a home.
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Beyond Completion
After handing over the property, the work doesn’t stop behind the scenes. Developments require ongoing management like facilities maintenance or just ensuring homeowners have everything they need to settle in.
At Presence & Co., we handle much of our facilities management in-house, giving us the opportunity to maintain high standards long after construction ends.
This part of the journey is often overlooked, but it’s vital. Ensuring a building remains safe, efficient, and well cared-for means that our projects stand the test of time, continuing to serve the communities they were built for.
Why Behind the Scenes Matters
Behind every development project lies an immense amount of unseen effort. From sourcing the right site to planning responsibly and building with care, each stage is about turning vision into reality. At Presence & Co., we take pride not just in what we build, but in how we build it. Because for us, the behind-the-scenes story is what gives every home its foundation of quality and integrity.
Interested in learning more about our recent projects? Explore our developments at Camden Hill and Little Mount Sion here, and discover how we bring new life into spaces across Tunbridge Wells.
