The benefits of contract administration

Construction projects always have unexpected issues and changes.

Contract Administration is the final part of the traditional full architectural service, and involves the architect impartially administering the building contract for you through construction.

  1. We act as your advisor, as a professional with specialist knowledge about design and construction.
  2. We act as your agent, dealing with the builder on your behalf.
  3. We assist both parties and administer the building contract.
  4. We remain impartial in decisions.

We inspect the quality of the building work through the construction period in a fair and impartial way. That way, you can feel confident that you are paying a fair price and getting the agreed design and the required standard of workmanship.

The architect’s role as contract administrator helps protect your interests through construction period and provide the outcome you seek.

We deal with the construction issues and questions that may be outside your area of expertise, keep you informed and provide recommendations with clear explanations.

We can mediate between you and the builder on issues that may arise on site, reducing on-site friction and achieving fair and reasonable outcomes for both parties.

We manage the contractual and construction issues that arise, such as:

  • Arranging the building contract
  • Site inspections
  • Queries from the builder
  • Queries from the client
  • Dealing with the unexpected
  • Dealing with Variations and their implications on time, cost, and design outcome
  • Contingency sums for the unexpected
  • Monitoring costs and progress payment assessments
  • Determining if the works generally accord with the contract documents
  • Practical completion
  • Determining and assessing defects
  • Completion

Services

Watson Architects offers services and experience in:

  • Residential projects
    • new design
    • alterations and additions
  • Conservation and adaptive re-use of heritage and existing buildings
  • Architectural advice in town planning and assessment matters
  • Conservation / heritage consultancy advice
  • Environmentally sound and sustainable design
  • Commercial developments
  • Expert witness work