Hagan Homes to resume work on construction sites from today (Monday 4 May 2020)
Hagan Homes, one of Northern Ireland’s largest homebuilders, will resume construction on eight of its construction sites in Belfast, Carrickfergus, Antrim and Lisburn from today (Monday 4 May 2020), having taken the precautionary step of closing all its sites over a month ago.
Discussing the social distancing measures that will be adopted and explaining how the company will be adhering to government advice James Hagan, Chair and Founder, Hagan Homes, said:
“Hagan Homes stopped construction on all of its sites at the end of March as we wanted to protect our contractors and their staff. Government advice was that construction sites could remain open if they were outdoor and if social distancing takes place - this advice hasn’t changed.
“I have reviewed the construction phases at all of our sites and, working closely in partnership with our contractors, have determined schedules of work that can be safely progressed, whilst adhering to strict social distancing.
“I have concentrated our efforts on eight sites - Seventy Six South and Thirty Three South, which are both in south Belfast; Thirty Three North in north Belfast; Rose Garden, Dunmurry; Ballyveigh, Antrim; The Tides, Carrickfergus; and our two sites in Lisburn, Thaxton Village and Wallace Gate.
“Our contractors will be back on site on Monday 4 May and will be complying with Construction Employer Federation (CEF) guidance and the government’s social distancing guidelines. Personal protective equipment will also be made available to anyone accessing the sites.”
To help potential homebuyers during the lockdown period, the Ballyclare homebuilder has also offered Northern Ireland’s first ever virtual showhome viewings. Prospective buyers have been given the opportunity to explore live sites with a sales agent who provides a live guided online 3D tour of properties and engages in a live chat through the Zoom platform.
Discussing the new approach Mr Hagan said:
“Hagan Homes is committed to helping our existing and potential new homebuyers as much as possible during this difficult time. Our new virtual viewing service, which was the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, is currently available for six of Hagan Homes’ eight active developments.
“The new viewing setup allows homebuyers to interact with the estate agent and ask questions about everything from fixtures and fittings to room sizes, driveway space and gardens at the latter developments which include everything from one and two bed apartments to three bed semi and detached properties.
Estate agent Sandra Finney of Rodgers & Finney, who is hosting a number of the new live sessions, explains the benefits:
“We have had a really good response to this new way of viewing show homes. As people find new ways of interacting for work and social purposes, we are finding many homebuyers are transitioning to our new virtual viewing process very easily. It means that we can help those who were on the path to buying a new home to continue their process in the safety of their home, all whilst still receiving that personal service.”
The new Live Showhome Viewings complement Hagan Homes’ existing online services which include video viewings and a self-guided interactive 3D tour.
