Architects - how well do they check the work done by the contractor?

We request that clients retain a structural engineer and we include his cert and the contractors and sub-contractors certs in our Schedule A Assurances.

In relation to work covered up, its easy during the build to take out a brick if you need to and proper co-ordination between the contractor and architect avoids this measure.

Calling out at key times to inspect is actually better than constant supervision in my opinion. It lets the builder get on with it without a brooding presence on site, but means that completed phases of installation can be inspected once they've been attempted and deemed installed.

That way there's no nonsense - you're called to inspect, you take record photos, you ask for opening up if you need to and that's it.

As long as the material are from a good supplier and certain tests are carried out during the build, the rest of the details are fairly simple to review.

IN many cases a competent inspecting architect or engineer will infer things from their visual-only inspections that many a less experienced architect or engineer wouldn't see if the wall was opened up.

As another poster has pointed there are all kinds fo architects out there, and just because one company is a whiz at design work doesn't automatically ensure that their detailing or legal work is going to be 110%.

That having been said, competence tends to percolate through to all aspects of the built work and if the office is pre-eminent in design, its not unreasonable to expect them to have a good level of technical competence as well.

FWIW

ONQ.

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onq said:

These first three are sometimes handles by site engineers or both of them.
Personally I don't eave it to the engineer - they seldom takes enough record photoraphs, if any.

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Should you be referring this statement directly to Consulting Engineers, then this is a very poor statement to make. Otherwise if referencing it to site engineers, yes I have experienced this.

'stage inspections' are carried out to ensure that the build is complying to building regulations and planning permission, nothing else.... this is quite clear and accepted.

I'd agree with Sydthebeat. There is a huge difference between the time, liability and fee for Full Supervision / Project Management, compared to the cheaper "stage inspection" visits.

One can't expect to pay the same fee for someone to be on site everyday compared to the fee for 6 number site visits during construction. Full Supervision is very different from "Stage payment inspections".

I take photographs of every site visit for my file. Ensure you retain somebody with Site Experience. There are good Architects and poor Architects, so do your homework - its your money!

'stage inspections' are carried out to ensure that teh build is complying to building regulations and planning permission, nothing else.... this is quite clear and accepted.

I'd agree with Sydthebeat. There is a huge difference between the time, liability and fee for Full Supervision / Project Management, compared to the cheaper "stage inspectsion"

One can't expect to pay the same fee for someone to be on site everyday compared to the fee for 6 number site visits during construction.

What is typical fee for architect doing "inspection" type service e.g. site visit every 4 weeks ?

Mizuno100 said:

What is typical fee for architect doing "inspection" type service e.g. site visit every 4 weeks ?

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I was quoted between €1,600-€1,800 for six stage inspections and it would be extra if they had to go back for any additional visits over and abovethe number specified. I'm not sure what the norm is...?

I would like to ask if there is a difference between the terms "project planning" and "project management" as employed by architects?

Does management imply supervision, as opposed to planning which results in a set of instructions that should solve x or y problem if carried out competently by the builder?

Thanks

Imogen

Corner said:

I was quoted between €1,600-€1,800 for six stage inspections and it would be extra if they had to go back for any additional visits over and abovethe number specified. I'm not sure what the norm is...?

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It relates to the size and complexity of the house as well.

Fees for private houses may normally range from 6-11% of the nett build cost with allocation of fee billing typically one third each to Planning/Health and Safety Tender/Compliance and Contract Administration/Inspection/Certification.

However smaller houses and designs by "name" firms typically atract more fees as a percentage - the former because there is a minimum the job can be done for - the latter because demand exceeds supply.

ONQ.

imogen said:

I would like to ask if there is a difference between the terms "project planning" and "project management" as employed by architects?

Does management imply supervision, as opposed to planning which results in a set of instructions that should solve x or y problem if carried out competently by the builder?

Thanks

Imogen

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Management implies management of the project from before commencement on site to project handover.

For the architect this includes client management, particularly if they are new to development work/this is their first build.

This involves reminding the client that a significant number of white collar companies consist of layers of management - middle management - whose job it is to manage intelligent people doing moderately complex tasks.

People interpret, people make mistakes, people forget things - that's why you need management.

The architect's tasks during a project include:

• complying with the Health and Safety legislation re Designers
• briefing and updating the client on progress
• providing the builder with information
• assessing the quality of the work
• certifying the work for payment
• administrating the building contract
• requesting, assessing and compiling the Schedule A Assurances

The builder's duties include:

• complying with the Health and Safety legislation re Contractors
• briefing and updating the architect on progress
• requesting information in a timely manner
• scheduling and sequencing the work, attendances & deliveries
• making applications for payment
• fulfilling his role in the building contract
• forwarding the sub-subtractors, installers and suppliers Schedule A Assurances

Smaller jobs may attract less attention from both architect and builder than they should get because of pressure of work on other larger projects and many home builders have derived benefits from appointing a separate project manager.

Larger jobs carry may enough of a workload to require specialisation to such a degree that a project manager becomes essential.

That having bee said, I and many other professionals I know have been involved in both larger and smaller jobs without our clients incurring the additional cost of a separate project manager.

Management does not imply supervision and even where o na large job a site architect, site engineer or clerk of works are emplyed by the client/employer, "supervision" is usually deined in favout of "limited inspections", which moves away from the idea of the all-seeing, all knowing architect to a position and accurately reflects what occurs on large projects - you cannot be everywhere at once.

Some project managers may not visit the works frequently, preferring to rely on meetings with and reports from the persons involved in design, building and inspecting the works on a limited basis.


ONQ.

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