RIBA concise building contract
In November 2014, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) launched two building contracts, in both print and online formats:
The Domestic Building Contract is for non-commercial projects. The Concise Building Contract is for small commercial projects.
They were developed by a member group (set up by the Practice and Profession Committee) and by RIBA Enterprises. They have been created in particular for use by home owners and builders of small projects and can be used alongside the RIBA’s Domestic Agreement and Concise Agreement for the appointment of an architect.
Dale Sinclair, RIBA Vice President of Practice and Profession said, ‘The contracts have been developed to be much simpler, much more straightforward and certainly easier for a contract administrator to sit down with a client and explain’.
The RIBA Concise Building Contract is a contract for construction works between an employer (the construction client) and a contractor. The RIBA suggest that it offers ‘Fair and equitable terms for all parties’. It is written in plain English and is intended for use on small-scale commercial construction projects that are considered to be straight forward. It is not suitable for domestic projects.
The RIBA Concise Building Contract is intended to be administrated by an architect or contract administrator (not by the client).
It includes provisions for:
- Flexible payment modes.
- Proposing suppliers and sub-contractors.
- Project changes.
- Completion in stages.
- Contractor design of parts of the building.
- Collaboration between the employer and contractor over events that might cause delays or extra costs.
- Insurance provisions for both parties.
- Certifying completion.
- Managing defects.
- Collateral warranties for funders and future purchasers or tenants.
- Public sector employers.
For more information about the domestic contract see RIBA Domestic Building Contract.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Appointing consultants.
- Breach of contract.
- Contract administrator.
- Contract conditions.
- Contract v tort.
- Construction contracts.
- Contracts under seal v under hand.
- Essentials of a contract.
- Minor works.
- Modifying clauses in standard forms of contract.
- NEC3.
- Procurement route.
- RIBA.
- RIBA Domestic Building Contract.
- Sub-contract.
Featured articles and news
Read about the launch event for our major new report about the worrying and widening construction knowledge gap.
The construction knowledge gap
We've analysed 6 million pieces of data to reveal that the knowledge framework underpinning the construction industry is no longer fit for purpose.
The theme for BSRIA's 2017 Briefing is 'Solutions to Tomorrow’s Challenges in Today’s Buildings'.
Dealing more than 1,700 consultations was just one of last year’s tasks for the Gardens Trust.
Read about the history behind one of California's most iconic buildings, the Griffith Observatory.
ICE examine just how close we are to providing subsidy-free low carbon electricity.
Have a look at MAD Architects' design proposal for renovating Montparnasse Tower into a concave mirror.
Off-site goods and materials - legal issues
This article examines the legal issues behind off-site goods and materials.
Read about how technology is changing the real estate industry.
BRE Global introduce the first registration scheme for Suitably Qualified Security Specialists.
An introductory article to the different types of building foundations.
This unique Brutalist-era car park just off Oxford Street is soon to be demolished.