The brief
Working on behalf of Kier, our team was engaged to carry out a range of hard surface repairs across the newly developed £75m Cavendish Building, which houses the International Business School at the University of Derby. The project required a high level of attention to detail to ensure all finishes met the expected standard for a modern, high-profile educational facility.
Over the course of approximately 100 days, our technicians undertook repairs to concrete pillars, ceiling acoustic panels, doors, window frames and external cladding. With a mix of materials and finishes across the site, it was important that every repair blended in smoothly with the surrounding surfaces.
Given the scale and prominence of the project, Kier needed a trusted partner capable of delivering consistent, high-quality results within tight project timelines. The SD team was chosen for its specialist expertise and strong track record across complex, multi-surface repair works.
Why are these repairs important?
In newly constructed buildings, minor surface damage can occur during the final stages of construction. Addressing these issues before handover is crucial to achieving a flawless finish and meeting client expectations.
For educational environments like this, presentation matters. A clean, well-finished space helps create a professional and inspiring atmosphere for students, staff and visitors and ensuring all surfaces are free from defects also protects the long-term durability of materials and reduces the need for future remedial work.
By investing in expert repairs at this stage, contractors can avoid costly replacements, minimise waste and ensure the building is delivered to the highest possible standard.
The results
Our technicians used advanced colour-matching techniques and specialist repair methods to restore all affected surfaces. From concrete pillars to delicate acoustic panels, each repair was carefully blended to ensure a consistent and high-quality finish throughout the building.
The result was a fully refined environment where previous imperfections were no longer visible at normal viewing distance, helping Kier achieve a polished final handover for the new Business School.
(The picture shows a before and after picture of a door. Spot the damaged one on the left? Our teams’ expertise transformed it so it looked like new.)
