Appointments in construction: Knowledge hub

[edit] Summary

Generally speaking the term 'appointment' means simply the act of assigning a job or position to someone. In construction this typically refers to where a client contracts designers (such as architects, landscape architects, engineers, architectural technicians, specialist designers, specialist contractors, etc.), and/or other consultants (such as cost consultants, independent client advisers, site inspectors, project managers, client representatives, etc.) to provide specific services or undertake particular work on or in relation to a construction project.

An appointment is normally supported by an agreement which is a legal document that formally outlines the terms and conditions of the appointment, it clarifies the responsibilities, scope of work or services, programme or duration, and other relevant details of the appointment to ensure both the appointee and the appointing party understand their obligations. The process of arriving at the appointment stage can vary significantly depending on the method chosen,

When the client contracts building contractors (rather than consultants) this is generally described as 'contracting', not 'appointment'. On publicly-funded projects, the consultant team will often be contracted along with the main contractor as part of a complete 'integrated supply team', so the term and nature of appointments may be restricted to independent client advisers, project managers and so fourth.

[edit] Routes to and forms of appointments in construction?

There are a variety of routes or processes which may lead to appointments, from simple recommendations, selection and interviews, expressions of interest with pre-qualification questionnaires, open or invited competitive selection with or without a design element, and framework agreements with or without design elements.

There can be a wide variety of forms of appointment or engagement depending on the situation with standard forms available from various organisations such as the RIBA, the ACA, RICS, NEC, CIC, SCALA and JCT. Each of these organisations may have slight variations in how the appointment is dealt with and constructed and may also have a number of variations and updates within their own organisation The different variations may also be designed specifically to suit certain professions, structures of the project, the professional team or consultant team.

[edit] Why do appointments matter in construction?

Appointments are crucial in construction as they ensure clear responsibilities, accountability, and timely progress by assigning specific roles and tasks to qualified and competent individuals. This can help to maintain good organisation and structure for design projects and site construction work. Clearly defining who is responsible for each element of project, facilitates better communication and coordination between stakeholders, helping reduce risks of errors, or misunderstanding, supporting proper legal and safety compliance. Effective appointments can ultimately lead help with quality control, and programme delivery, contributing to both client satisfaction and the overall success. See also our Procurement in construction: Knowledge hub.

[edit] Articles relating to appointments

Here are some of the most important and widely read articles relating to appointments available on Designing Buildings:

[edit] Appointments: Brief and scope:

• Briefing documents for building design
• Client requirements.
• Collaborative practices for building design and construction.
• Development brief.
• Employer's information requirements.
• Project brief.
• Requirements management.
• Scope of services.
• Schedule of services.
• Scope of work.
• Scope creep
• Strategic brief for construction projects.
• What should be included in a scope of work?

[edit] Appointments: Roles and selection:

• Appointing consultants for building design and construction.
• Architects appointment.
• Bidder.
• Bid evaluation.
• BIM consultant.
• Consultant's proposals for design and construction.
• Criteria for bid selection.
• Employer's information requirements.
• Invitation to tender for construction contracts.
• Mid-tender interview for construction contract.
• Pre-tender interview.
• Pre-qualification questionnaire.
• Public project: appointment.
• Selection process.
• Selection criteria.
• Types of consultant in the construction industry.

[edit] Appointments: Proposals and negotiation

• Addendum.
• Bidding for renovation works
• Bidding process
• Bidding tactics
• Competitive procedure with negotiation
• Consultant's proposals for design and construction.
• Fee Considerations
• How to prepare tender documents..
• Negotiation techniques.
• Negotiated tendering.
• Negotiated contract.
• Negotiated procedure.
• Tender negotiations
• The causes of late payment in construction.
• Variations in construction contracts
• Variations in low carbon building performance

[edit] Appointments: Contracts and terms

• Bespoke construction contract.
• Construction contract conditions.
• Contract conditions.
• Form of appointment
• ICE conditions of contract.
• Infrastructure conditions of contract.
• Letter of appointment.
• Modifying clauses in standard forms of contract.
• Professional indemnity insurance clause in conditions of engagement.
• Terms and Conditions.

[edit] Appointments: Duties and Obligations

• Client responsibilities.
• Clear contracts during uncertain times..
• Competence.
• Competence framework.
• Competence management.
• Day-to-day responsibilities and performance standards.
• Duties, performance standards, and care levels.
• Duty.
• Duty holders in the construction industry.
• Primary duty..
• Records on design and construction projects.

[edit] Appointments: Liability and Novation

• All risk insurance.
• Contractors' all-risk insurance.
• Difference between assignment and novation.
• Liability cap
• Novation.
• Risk assessment for construction.
• Risk management for building design
• Risk register for building design and construction
• Types of risk in construction projects
• Value management.

[edit] Appointments: Conflicts and Disputes

• Adjudication.
• Alternative dispute resolution.
• Arbitration.
• Conflict avoidance.
• Conflict of interest.
• Compulsory Alternative Dispute Resolution.
• Construction disputes.
• Dealing with building disagreements
• Contract claims.
• Contractual right.
• Defects.
• Delays on construction projects.
• Dispute avoidance.
• Dispute resolution.
• Dispute resolution board.
• Dispute resolution procedure.
• Disruption claims in construction.
• Expert evaluation.
• Expert witness.
• Liquidated damages.
• Loss and expense.
• Mediation.
• Relevant event.
• Termination in construction contract.
• The causes of late payment in construction.
• What is a default?

[edit] All articles about appointments

There are more that 500 articles about appointments on Designing Buildings. A full index is available here.

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This work is openly licensed via CC BY 4.0.