SRV-04 · SERVICES / CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION
Contract administration for building projects in Berkshire and the South
As contract administrator we run the building contract on the client’s behalf: issuing instructions, certifying payments, managing change and keeping the record straight. It is the role that turns a signed contract into a project that finishes on the terms agreed.
What the service involves
Preparing the contract documents, checking the particulars and getting the contract executed before work starts.
Issuing instructions, pricing variations before they are built and keeping a running change log.
Assessing interim valuations and issuing payment certificates on time, in line with the contract and the Construction Act.
Assessing notices, extensions of time and loss and expense fairly and with a documented reason.
Practical completion, the defects period, the final certificate and release of retention.
Who it is for
Developers and private clients under a JCT or bespoke contract who need an independent administrator; architects who would rather not carry the CA role themselves; and clients whose current contract has drifted and needs bringing back under control.
What you get
- ▸Certificates issued on the dates the contract says
- ▸Every instruction in writing, priced and logged
- ▸A contemporaneous record if a dispute ever arises
- ▸Fair, defensible decisions on time and money
Typical projects
One-off private houses, small and mid-size residential developments, sports facilities and light commercial fit-out, typically £300,000 to £10 million, under JCT Minor Works, Intermediate, Standard Building Contract and Design and Build, and under bespoke developer agreements.
Why a local contract administrator matters
Valuations need to be checked on site and instructions are best given face to face. Newbury puts us within reach of Reading, Basingstoke, Oxford, Winchester, Swindon and Guildford for regular site visits and progress meetings.
Frequently asked questions
What does a contract administrator do?
The CA administers the building contract between client and contractor: instructions, valuations and certificates, extensions of time, practical completion and the final certificate. The CA must act fairly between the parties when certifying, while being appointed by the client.
Is a contract administrator the same as a quantity surveyor?
No, but they overlap. The CA is a contractual role; the QS is a cost role. Because we are quantity surveyors, valuations and variations under our contract administration are measured properly rather than accepted on trust.
Can my architect be the contract administrator instead?
Yes, and often is. Where the architect prefers to focus on design, or where the client wants cost and contract handled by one firm, we take the role.
What happens if the contractor submits a claim?
We assess it against the contract: was notice given, is the cause a relevant event, what is the demonstrable effect on time and cost. The decision is documented so both parties understand the basis.
Which contracts do you administer?
The JCT suite, including Minor Works, Intermediate, Standard Building Contract and Design and Build, and bespoke developer and subcontract forms.