Construction contract administration can be incredibly useful in helping ensure a project is delivered to the agreed quality and scope, within budget and on schedule. Our team of Chartered Building Surveyors are qualified to act in Contract Administration roles, to make sure your construction project, whatever the scale or scope, is handled in a time- and cost-efficient manner.
What is the difference between contract administrator and employers agent?
The terms Contract Administrator and Employers Agent are often used interchangeably, and this can be one of the main sources of confusion with regard to their role and function within the construction industry. However, they are, in essence, very similar roles separated by the choice of contract.
The principal difference is that a Contract Administrator encompasses both pre-contract and post contract activities under a traditional JCT contract or similar. On the other hand, the Employers Agent role is primarily in the post contract phase once a contractor is appointed under a design and build contract.
Within both roles further services and responsibilities are usually included. For example, a Contract Administrator could also take on the role as Principal Designer, Project Manager and Cost Control services, or utilise commercial building surveys to provide valuable information for the contract administration process.
An Employers Agent would ordinarily act as Lead Consultant on behalf of the Client and take responsibility for the appointment of the design team, overseeing the tender process, change process and risk management.
What Does Contract Admin Involve?
Contract administration can involve a range of services, including:
- Initial surveys and advice
- Budget and cost guidance
- Feasibility assessments and design advice
- Preparing Schedules of Works/Specifications
- Preparing design drawings
- Principal Designer role (under CDM Regulations)
- Preparing JCT contract documents
- Application for planning permission, building regulations and other statutory authority consents
- Supervising competitive tendering processes
- Project management, with advice on construction, technical issues and contracts
- Negotiating/agreeing a contractors’ Final Account
- Handling technical issues that may arise
Why Choose Us?
Regardless of the procurement route and scope of appointment, all projects have one thing in common: ensuring the project is delivered to the agreed quality and scope, within budget and on programme. Ultimately, we want to ensure our clients’ expectations are met and exceeded.
The team at Bradley-Mason LLP has an in depth and comprehensive knowledge of building contracts, so we can ensure we advise on the appropriate procurement route and contract choice. Equally important, we understand and appreciate, in combination with our Project Management skills, the common areas and themes for dispute and non-successfully achieving the required project outcomes, which allows us to mitigate such matters at an early stage.
Whether the project value is £10,000 or £10,000,000, we have a wealth of experience in successfully delivering projects within both the public and private sectors including education, health, heritage, transport, residential, retail and commercial schemes.
We enjoy a central London location which enables us to cover the breadth of the UK and cater to the European market too. We have 5 offices throughout the UK, including Harrogate, London, Manchester, Sheffield and Bristol, so we’re able to respond to your needs quickly and efficiently. Contact us to find out how our RICS Contract Administration team can assist you with your property matters.
“Julian and his team provide a great building consultancy service with high quality and thorough reports to quickly to suit the needs of their clients. It’s reassuring to know that you’ll always get a quick reply and the full attention of whoever is dealing with the enquiry.” – Jo Hedley – James Hall & Co Properties
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the stages of contract administration?
The stages of contract administration typically include:
- Contract preparation: This involves drafting the contract, negotiating terms and finalising the agreement between all parties.
- Contract execution: The contract is formally entered into and signed by the relevant parties.
- Contract implementation: All parties begin fulfilling their respective obligations under the contract, which may involve ordering materials, hiring subcontractors and commencing work.
- Performance monitoring: The parties monitor each other’s performance and compliance with the terms of the contract. This may involve progress reports, site inspections, payment approvals or change order management.
- Contract amendment: If necessary, the contract is formally amended to account for changes in scope, schedule or other terms.
- Dispute resolution: Any disputes that arise are addressed through the resolution mechanisms specified in the contract.
- Contract closeout: Upon completion of the contract, administrative closeout activities are conducted such as final payments, release of liens and handling of warranties.
What is contract administration?
Contract administration involves managing the full lifecycle of a contract from drafting through closeout. It includes tracking performance, driving compliance, managing changes, resolving disputes and handling all administrative aspects of the contract after execution. The purpose is to ensure that both parties properly fulfil their contractual obligations and that the business objectives are accomplished.
What is the difference between contract administration and project management?
Project management focuses on the execution and delivery of the actual project or work itself, whereas contract administration focuses on the administration, management and oversight of the contract governing the project. A project manager is concerned with the technical completion and quality of the work, while a contract administrator is concerned with compliance, changes, payments, legal terms and related administrative issues. While there can be some overlap, contract administration is a more specialised administrative role.
Why do I need a contract administrator?
Hiring a contract administrator provides essential oversight of the business relationship, helping to ensure you receive what you negotiated for and that your interests are protected. There are many benefits of dedicated contract administration, such as ensuring all parties comply with the contract terms, managing amendments and updates to the terms, optimising cash flow for the project and identifying risks and disputes before they escalate. Having skilled contract administration makes the contracting process smoother, reduces risks and disputes, optimises financial performance, and ultimately sets up the project for success.
Get in touch with the team at Bradley-Mason to find out more about our Contract Administration services.
Our Clients
