The Country House Surveying Co.
A business with a desire for excellence and the skills to deliver your dream country house.
THE CHALLENGE
The Country House Surveying Co. provide a fresh perspective on traditional quantity surveying and project management. Their small team of specialist advisors lead the way in Country House building, conservation, restoration, contemporary refurbishment, and new build works, through a uniquely collaborative and personal approach.
They take immense pride delivering their craft and delivering not only extraordinary spaces, but an enjoyable, memorable experience. They have a strong commitment to traditional values, open communication, trust, and integrity.
THE CHALLENGE
The Country House Surveying Co. approached L&F with a solid brand identity, platform and vision. They had strong ideas, and being in the creative sector themselves, could articulate exactly what they want. What they lacked was a team of confident communicators who would challenge them and push back. They also required an agency who could get things done, on time and on budget, someone who they could rely upon and put complete faith in to deliver, much like they do for their customers. Sometimes too many ideas can lead to confusion and a lack of clarity. They required customer profiling to really identify who they were speaking to and a creative output that would really resonate and inspire them. It was important that CHS communications could speak and resonate with both the end-customer and those within the collaborative process, such as architectural firms and surveyors, when appropriate.
THE SOLUTION
Firstly CHS needed to breathe life into their brand, they needed a sense of personality and enjoyment. The traditional visual approach they had was fine but sterile, it didn’t reflect the sense of wonder and “creating a dream”.
Working with the illustrator Adam Larkum, we really tapped-in to visual world of “country life” and inspired by the likes Roald Dahl, Adam was able to visualise what life could be like in these stunning properties, bringing conceptual drawings and photography to life.
PRINT SPECIFICATION Paper: GF Smith Colourplan Finishing: Duplexed papers | White foil
Copywriting
Much like the visual nature of the existing CHS brand, brand copy lacked punch and personality, appearing generic and convoluted. Working with Sarah Townsend, our copywriting partner, CHS achieved a sense clarity in their business offering. A narrative that reflected the real people and personalities beyond the offering.
Photography
CHS let the work speak for itself and the illustration inspires and brings the vision to life, but we identified a need for team photography to really introduce the people and personalities behind CHS. Working with photographer, Chris Boulton, we delivered a set of images that could be utlised across all comms. The visual style of these images needed to invite and reflect a sense of warmth, comfort and quality.
WHAT WE DELIVERED
Beyond the core brand platform and assets, we worked with CHS to deliver a unique business profile booklet. This was designed in such a way that it formed a two-in-one approach. A ying-yang z-fold format allowed us to split content relating to “The Practice” (what CHS can do for you and the personalities involved) and “The Projects” (an extensive portfolio and case studies). Striving for excellence, the attention to detail in this booklet was extraordinary and working with partner print agencies we delivered an item that utilized special inks, bespoke finishing, as well as premium paper stocks – no stone was left unturned.
Digitally we have continued our relationship with Adam Larkum on a consultancy level to produce a promotion film. This utilized the company narrative and script. Within this space we really explored a child-like wonder and sense of building your dream home – this piece directly targeted the end-customer and property owner.
A showcase website really brought the elements together and represented a home for the promotional film. The website needed to feel like a digital iteration of the printed piece with the same level of attention to detail, execution and clarity. This isn’t a space to read reams and reams of information and blog posts, this is a space to quickly and easily understand how CHS work and their services, their values and then be inspired by their work they have completed. This should be a space where your dreams and your relationship commence.
At every level L&F exceeded our expectations. We’ve worked with many creatives before but we felt they always had an agenda and didn’t have our best interests at heart. Andy and his collaborative team just “got it” from minute one – I had complete faith in their vision and what they could achieve for us. Time and time again they delivered creative solutions to our challenges. I’m over the moon with the results and approach my clients with confidence. Feedback has been nothing short of extraordinary and our printed piece alone has secured many projects for us. I have no hesitation in recommending L&F to others in our position.
Dan Almond
Director, The Country House Surveying Company
Recognition
Image credits
Suggested projects: Perry Bishop | Tide Insurance | A Year in a Cottage Garden