What is a Building Contract?
There are lots of terms that come up in initial conversations with clients, we have already discussed What is a Feasibility Study?, and this time, we’re answering another question … ‘What is a Building Contract?’
The Building Contract
Essentially, a Building Contract is an official contract between the client (the employer) and the contractor (the builder) for the specified building/construction work to be done. It’s sometimes known as the Main Contract – because the Contractor will often employ sub-contractors to carry out specific tasks (such as electrical work). It’s a complex situation. Consequently, a Building Contract needs to be firmly in place so that everyone knows what they are doing, who has asked them to do it, and who has specified the work, the materials and the standards required. A written Building Contract protects all parties as everything is ‘put into writing’ and itemised. The Contractor will have been appointed after the Tender process, when our team has approached trusted contractors to tender for the project, after they have seen the final drawings and technical specifications. At this stage, Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent – if required – will have been granted, and the project is full steam ahead.
Contract Administration Services
As Architects we design and administer large projects, which may be the complete overhaul, renovation and re-design of a large, multi-storey period home, for example. As individuals, our clients won’t have to deal with the day-to-day minutiae of a Building Contract – that’s our job! Some of our clients may have been previously involved with a Building Contract if they have had small projects done in their homes, perhaps a kitchen extension, for example. However, with large projects, such as full-house renovations and new builds, the Building Contract is very intense and detailed and needs to be monitored and administered by experts. Our Contract Administration Service is there to take charge of the Building Contract, on behalf of our clients.
The Contract Administrator’s role
Once the project has been designed by our Architects, and the client has given the ‘go ahead’, our Administration Services team will arrange and compile the Building Contract. Of course, through this part of the process there are several people in different roles who are working together to ensure the success and completion of the project. A contract administrator is appointed to manage the process, which will include checking that the Contractor, and any sub-contractors, are adhering exactly to the specifications, drawings and instructions that are detailed in the Building Contract. Our team will make site visits and inspections to make sure that everything is being done according to our Architects instructions and our client’s wishes. The Administrator also deals with scheduled payments to the Contractor – which are made at regular stages, according to agreement, and when different stages of the project are completed and have passed inspection.
Royal Institute of British Architects & The Planning Portal
RIBA has more details on domestic Building Contracts here, and the Government’s Planning Portal has information here, these are useful over-views and provide general background information for someone who is embarking upon an extensive project for the first time.
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