Q.
For the client, the construction stage is often the most daunting as your home is being altered and considerable expenditure is involved. What do you expect during this stage?
A.
DURING CONSTRUCTION
During construction, your architect will act on your behalf as an independent advisor, inspecting the building work at intervals to ensure that it is being carried out generally in accordance with the contract documents. Your architect will administer the contract and advise you on stage payments during the projects. They will not certify payment unless work complies with the specifications.
It is best that you do not give instructions directly to the contractor, because what can seem a simple change may have cost and time implications. Discuss your changes with your architect to make sure that they are necessary and so that an additional cost can be established and controlled. Remember that the architect is not the builder and does not supervise work – that is the builder’s job. The architect administers the building contract as your agent and is legally required to act fairly between you and the contractor.
It is best that you do not give instructions directly to the contractor, because what can seem a simple change may have cost and time implications. Discuss your changes with your architect to make sure that they are necessary and so that an additional cost can be established and controlled. Remember that the architect is not the builder and does not supervise work – that is the builder’s job. The architect administers the building contract as your agent and is legally required to act fairly between you and the contractor.
Stage Payment: 25% of fee
AFTER CONSTRUCTION
The architect’s work continues until after the building work. Part of the payment due to the builder – the retention – is held back for up to twelve months and is only paid out on the architect’s instruction, after any defects have been rectified by the contractor. Remember that the architect’s Opinion on Compliance with Planning and Building Regulations is subject to work not being changed during construction.
Ref:
http://www.riai.ie/consumer_services/working_with_an_architect/the_project_stages/