Contract administrator for construction contracts
In the construction industry, the contract administrator is the individual responsible for administering the construction standard contracts.
The contract administrator may be the project architect, but could also be the lead consultant, the cost consultant, a specialist consultant, a client representative or employer's agent, the project manager or an engineer. On a construction management contract, the role of contract administrator might be attributed to the construction manager, and on management contracts the management contractor will perform the role of contract administrator.
Contract administrators are appointed by the client, but when certifying or giving an assessment or decision, they should act honestly and reasonably and their decisions are open to challenge via the dispute resolution procedure unless the contract makes their decisions final and conclusive.
The contract administrator's role will generally include:
- Inviting and processing tenders.
- Preparing contract documents for execution.
- Administrating change control procedures.
- Seeking instructions from the client in relation to the contract.
- Issuing instructions such as variations, or relating to prime cost sums or making good defects.
- Considering claims.
- Chairing construction progress meetings.
- Preparing and issuing construction progress reports.
- Co-ordinating and instructing site inspectors.
- Agreeing commissioning and testing procedures.
- Agreeing defects reporting procedures.
- Ensuring that project documentation is issued to the client.
- Issuing certificates of practical completion and interim certificates.
- Collating and issuing schedules of defects.
- Issuing the certificate of making good defects.
- Issuing the final certificate.
NB On PFI (Private Finance Initiative) projects, there may also be an independent certifier who represents the project funder.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Architects instruction.
- Employers agent (design and build).
- Causes of construction disputes.
- Certificate of making good defects.
- Construction contract certificates, notices and instructions.
- Contract claims.
- Change control procedures.
- Construction progress reports.
- Construction contract.
- Contract conditions.
- Defects.
- Extension of time.
- Final certificate
- Interim payment.
- Liquidated damages.
- Loss and expense.
- Practical completion.
- Private finance initiative.
- Project monitoring.
- Site administrator.
- Tender.
- Variation.
Featured articles and news
Clean indoor air for healthy living
Read about the measures that can be taken by individuals to protect and minimise exposure to outdoor sourced air pollution.
Government announces leaseholds on new-build houses will be banned.
Transport Secretary announces public consultation into London's funding of Crossrail 2.
Architecture of concert stages
Have a look at some of the most impressive concert stage designs of all time, including Pink Floyd, U2, Rolling Stones, and more...
What is the Home Quality Mark? Find out how it can help you when buying/renting a new home.
Business Secretary launches £246m Faraday Challenge to establish UK as world leader in battery technology.
Government announces new plans for regulations to improve safety and security awareness of drone users.
Read our introductory article to the various different types of fuel.
IHBC book review: Charles Barry’s monumental struggle to rebuild the Houses of Parliament.
Read about RSHP's British Museum extension which has been shortlisted for the 2017 Stirling Prize.
Read our introductory article to building a house extension.
More updates from DCMS about the large-scale testing of cladding systems and the number of buildings affected.
UandI secure resolution to grant planning consent for major new regeneration project.
It was the tallest structure in the world for 3,800 years, but to this day the exact construction techniques are a mystery.
Grenfell Tower articles updated daily
