The Architect can actually directly recommend a contractor. But for the purpose of cost comparison and counter checking of estimates, several contractors are invited to bid by the architect. This is to show the client that he has options to choose. The OWNER can even recommend his bet contractor to participate in the bidding. You will not have to worry of finding and dealing with contractors since the architect will be the one handling the bidding.
After the project is awarded to the winning bidder, the setup or situation will most likely be the same as the previous setup. Basically the same advantages and disadvantages.
Some architectural firms are offering their in-house construction management where-in, they can assign a full time project architect that will monitor the contractor and manage progress of construction. You will then be paying monthly charges for this.
The following are in addition to the advantages and disadvantages mentioned in the previous setup:
ADVANTAGES:
1. You can request your Architect to do regular inspection or at least do checking on construction milestone. He can then help you in evaluating and advise you if your contractor's accomplishment claims are substantial or not. He or his representative can also do random material checking to make sure that the contractor is following the prepared specifications and not using substandard materials.
2. You can seek design related advise during construction. If you are in doubt of a certain detail or you promptly want to change something, you can directly tell the matter to the project architect. Replies would probably be faster and will not compromise construction schedule.
3. Because the contractor is recommended by the architect, there is a very good chance that the contractor is competent and reliable. He must have been proven his reputation already to the architect in his previous projects. So you will have less worries in the contractor's credibility.
4. You can expect that the contractor will also perform well because if not, the recommending architect might not give him projects anymore in the future.
5. Faster response on design revisions since the project architect has direct contact to the firm.
DISADVANTAGES:
1. You will pay extra cost for the construction management services of the Architect.
2. If the architect is the one checking the contractor, who is then checking the architect? We can not be 100% sure that the project architect can mange correctly and/or efficiently all the construction issues in the project. Often times, they tend to be bias and always thinks that everything should be in the architect's favor.
3. Sometimes, project architects tend to be too strict that even causes delays in schedule. Example, if a material in the specification is not available anymore or very hard to find, contractors find it hard to seek approval of alternative brands or specifications.
4. Contractor-Designer, conflict or connivance. Although this rarely happen nowadays, still problems like these may arise anytime during construction.
Engaging your architect to do management work will protect you from possible abuse by the contractor but will cost you additional expenses.
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Hi architect, with regards to this article, if an owner decided to hire an architect for design and as a construction manager, then the owner awarded the project to a builder of her choice, should the owner expect that the total cost of the construction be lower since the builder company is no longer designing thru the company's architect and managing the construction? Otherwise, the owner will be spending extra 2 to 10 percent of project cost to pay the stand-alone architect if the cost estimate is not lowered by the contractor? What do you think?
ReplyDeleteLaila
OFW - Hongkong
Hi Laila, first of all, the project is awarded to the contractor only if you already agreed with the total contract amount of the project. design-build companies usually claims that their design charges are free as long as you choose them to be your contractor. But fact is, the cost of design is probably just hidden in the item breakdown of the contract, usually in the mark up cost.
DeleteIf you hired an architect for design and construction management services, you can ask him to review the contractor's estimates to check of any overpricing. Although, the architect can raise questionable items, it will still be best to have a reference estimates, probably by another contractor.
Good day po. Nagsimula na po ang construction ng pinaparenovate naming house. Bago po maglockdown naka2 weeks na po na arawan. Nastop po dahil sa lockdown at nakita ko po nasa 2 weeks konti pa lang po nagawa. Plano ko po ipapakyaw na lang pagnagresume na ang patrabaho. Tanong ko lang po..yong naibayad ko po ba sa kanila noon ay ikakaltas pag ginawa ng pakyaw ang usapan. Nakabili na po ako ng ibang materials. Magkano po kaya ang legal na bayad pagpakyaw? Ang budget ko po ay 450k para malagyan ng 2nd floor yong dating bahay namin. Salamat po..First time ko po magpagawa ng bahay.
ReplyDeletenice article! can you recommend me House Contractors in the Philippines thanks
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