What is Contract Administration?

Contract Administration is the administration of a project on behalf of the Client by a professional, the Contract Administrator (CA).  ARP, through their years of experience, can take a project, on behalf of the Client, from inception through to completion.  This frees up the Client to get on with their normal day to day activities with the knowledge that the contract is being professional administered.

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Project Lifecyle

There are several stages in the life of a construction project and these can be generalised as follows:-

1.   Feasibilty - Initial ideas, outline design work providing various options for the Client.
2.   Full design - each of the feasibility options have been appraised and one has been selected as the final solution.
3.   Supporting drawings developed for submission to the Local Authority (Planning, Building Regulations, Listed Building Consent)
4.   Specification prepared for tender to suitable Contractors.
5.   Tender analysis following return of contractor's prices, recommendation made by CA to the Client as to most suitable Contractor.
6.   Appointment of Contractor / preparation and issue of formal contract documents.
7.   Pre-contract meeting with Client, Contract Administrator (CA) and appointed Contractor.
8.   Works on site, weekly or fortnightly meeting between Client, CA and Contractor to ensure works progress as per design.
9.   Final check on site by CA, snags identified and corrected, handed over to Client.
10. Project complete and enters defects period (usually 12 months) - any defects in works addressed by Contractor at no extra cost.

ARP can undertake all the above roles as Contract Administrator including design / drawings, Local Authority approvals, specification, tendering, contract documents,  on-site administration, meetings, minutes and completion issues.

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Other Considerations

ARP can also advise on various other considerations to ensure that the Client is fully informed of their legal responsibilities e.g.

*   Does the project fall under CDM Regulations 2007? ARP are accreditted CDM-Coordinators.
*   Is Party Wall Etc Act 1996 applicable?  ARP are Party Wall Surveyors
*   Have you considered Disabled Discrimination Act 1995 (and later amendments)?  ARP undertake DDA Accessibility Inspections.
*   Will your Fire Risk Assessment require revision (or will you need a new one)? ARP undertake Fire Risk Assessments.

There are other considerations and the above are examples.

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Benefits of employing a Contract Administrator

*    Hassle factor removed from Client - CA will deal with the Contractor, financial issues and Local Authority.
*    Client fully informed throughout the process via minutes, email, meetings. 
*    Any potential problems will be flagged up early so that these can be addressed in advance of them becoming an issue.
*    Financial issues are administered by CA - contractor only paid for works actually done, no up-front payments.
*    Contactor will be under a formal contract - this will ensure that there is focus on quality and that the works stay on programme.
*    Defects period generally for 12 months - monies withheld from Contractor during defects period to ensure that any issues are fixed.
*    Client can get on with their day to day activities.