Construction Administration

After all the hard work designing, documenting, permitting and selecting a builder, work can begin on the project. The shift of focus and intensity moves from Architect to Builder and jobsite, the Architect takes on the role of monitor or guardian to the design.

Officially the Architect is charged with being the client’s advocate during the construction process making sure that building gets any necessary information they need to continue and making sure the clients’ needs and expectations are being addressed. Since a client may not be an expert in area of construction, it is up to the Architect to provide the client with valuable information and a means of understanding the processes happening.

It is also mandated that the Architect monitor the builder’s progress to see if they are following their plans. An important distinction to make here is that this phase, or more to the point the Architects’ role in it, is not that of Construction Manager or Supervisor. Those job descriptions refer to either an outside consultant or the builder themselves; these roles usually require daily monitoring.

Typical tasks an Architect performs in this phase are:

  • Attending site meetings with the builder
  • Answering and supplying information to the builder to clarify issues
  • Reviewing payments and contract milestones to the builder
  • Reviewing builder submittals for materials, methods of construction, etc.
  • Processing and documenting changes and revisions
  • Final Review of completed projects