Barefoot on Site

By Rob Hankey

We've got quite a few projects that are 'on site' - aka under construction - at the moment. It's exciting to see our designs come to life and to witness the delight on clients' faces as they start seeing their new living spaces take form. We have been reflecting on how much we love being involved at this stage of projects and wanted to highlight how/why you should keep your architect involved.

Construction projects are complicated things to manage and we've all seen/heard the horror stories! A good Contractor is great at organising their teams and getting the job done, on time, and to a good standard. However, there will always be loads of design questions that crop up on site and clients often like to stay on board to 'hold their hand' and help ensure the best possible outcome is achieved while minimising everyone's stress levels! We embrace a collaborative process and there's nothing better than seeing client, contractor, and design team pulling together during stage 5 to deliver a great result that everyone is proud of! We typically get involved in two distinct ways:

Spaces taking shape and the client is delighted - they've also been lending a hand!

1. Contract Administrator (for traditional building contracts)

This is a formal role required by most fixed-price building contracts. The Contractor Administrator (CA) is appointed by the client but acts in an impartial manner, certifying or giving an assessment/decision on contractual matters. In everyday terms; we liaise between builder and client to ensure that things go smoothly and fairly, and so that you have better control over cost, quality and time. A list of the roles that a CA commonly takes on can be found here but below are a few duties that we think are particularly valuable.

We check that the project is proceeding in accordance with the contract documents (the design) - making sure no corners are being cut or things are in the wrong place.
We certify interim payments to the contractor (usually monthly) so that you only ever pay for works that are complete.
We manage any variations (design changes) and their cost/time implications so that you have clarity about what the end cost and date are going to be.
We consider claims for delay, assessing whether these are reasonably due as an 'extension of time'. The builder has to have a legitimate reason for a delay and is otherwise contractually obliged to finish on time. If a job just drags on and on, you are likely to be due a liquidated damages payment by the contractor.
At the end of the job, we certify that the project is (practically) complete and monitor the build for defects that may (and normally do) occur over the course of the next 6-12 months. These are items that the builder is contracted to rectify and we advise on how they are best resolved.

Landscape regrading and critical setting out

2. Design Advice role (for a less formal contacts and/or where you are comfortable dealing with the builder re time and money)

This role can be on an adhoc basis, as and when we're needed to resolve a certain issue or advise on the best solution to a new problem. However, we often find this to be less advantageous as we only get involved once a problem has arisen, rather than attending site regularly so as to help prevent errors happening in the first instance. This crucial service can make the world of difference to the quality of the end result and save you money and time. This service is provided naturally when we act as CA too. Regular site visits to discuss upcoming work items with you and the builder and to sketch out design options or recommend products is a very cost effective way of utilising our design skills, knowledge and foresight.

Whatever your building project and budget, we'd definitely recommend you keep the architect on board during construction. For us at Barefoot this is tailored to suit your needs, with the focus on a happy client and a great finished product. Just let us know what you feel is best for you.

barefoot’s 4 day week

Airtightness and breathability