Contract administration
Carter Jonas’ approach to contract administration
At Carter Jonas we have a highly experienced team of professionals that design and run building projects including alterations, conversions, refurbishments, and new builds.
We offer a full design and contract administration service for commercial and residential clients. We work closely and collaboratively with the project team from initial feasibility through to final completion in an impartial and unbiased professional manner. Our talented in-house design team are experts in providing guidance on materials and are focused on developing creative solutions based on client interests.
We are experienced in producing comprehensive specifications of work in the precontract stage that comply with building regulations and professional standards. Our architects and CAD technicians can assist with obtaining planning and building regulations approval by liaising with Local Authorities and by producing high quality drawings turning the project brief into a realisation. We are also able to assist external design teams if required.
After the initial design stage, our contract administrators will lead a formal and thorough tendering process. We can advise on procurement options, the suitability of various forms of construction contract, contract conditions and compile the tender package before inviting contractors to tender. We only invite trusted and qualified contractors to tender for the works and upon receiving the tender returns we will undertake an analysis and make recommendations. If necessary, we will also perform a value engineering exercise should the tender costs exceed the budget, before appointing a contractor and preparing the contract documents.
Once a project is underway, on-site monitoring of quality and progress will form a key component of our work as contract administrator and we will continue to anticipate and mitigate project risks as the project progresses. We chair regular project meetings, certify payments to the contractor, issue the necessary contract instructions and finally administer practical completion and agree the final account with the contractor. To safeguard our client’s interest, we will re-visit the property post construction and arrange for any contractor’s defects to be addressed before certifying the release of the retention monies to the contractor.
In summary, our design and contract administration service includes:
- Pre-contract
- Design and specification
- Assistance with planning applications
- Contract advice
- Managing the tendering process
- Preparation of building contracts
Construction
- Monitoring of the progress and quality of works through regular site visits
- Chair regular project meetings
- Issue contract instructions
- Certify payments
- Snagging and issuing the practical completion certificate
Post-contract
- Agree the contractor’s final account
- Inspect the works at the end of the rectification period
- Instruct correction of any defects prior to issuing a making good certificate
- Issue the final completion certificate
- Authorise payment of the retention monies
Why choose Carter Jonas to provide you with contract administration advice?
Our building consultancy professionals are located in Bristol, Birmingham, Cambridge, Oxford, Leeds and London. Our designated teams contain highly qualified and experienced chartered building surveyors who consistently provide a professional, effective, and personal service.
Our multi-disciplinary nature provides a wide range of specialist knowledge and expertise required to successfully deliver a project to our client’s satisfaction. Our success in delivering contracts derives from the strong relationships we build with the project team and our proactive approach through the life cycle of the project. We are committed to building long-lasting professional relationships with delivery partners and have a strong track record in retaining clients.
Richard Love is a Partner, Head of Building Surveying in our London Commercial Team. Richard joined from Watts Group PLC where he worked since 2010, most recently as director in it's project consultancy group. Richard's role is to provide building consultancy services, including relocation management, contract administration, design, strategic procurement and conservation advice with our clients.
Career Highlights:
Ealing Town Hall:
Full external restoration of Grade II Listed Victorian Gothic town hall building. The project arose from a survey identifying incidences of dangerous stonework and the project incorporated extensive masonry repairs, reroofing, redecorations, stained glass replacement, access improvements and drainage improvements. Works on site were delivered over an eight month period during which the town hall remained fully operational.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists HQ Relocation:
Project management services in respect of all aspects of the HQ relocation for this prestigious medical college. The relocation centred around moving into a 50,000sq ft 1980’s office building and delivered a comprehensive strip out and refurbishment including the creating of canteen and catering facilities, conference space, library including antique book collection and sublet space. The relocation was delivered in 9 months (inception to completion) and Richard also handled dilapidations matters on exit.
Career developments
Being appointed to the board overseeing the expansion of the Carter Jonas Commercial Division, which took place in early 2017. Also, managing the expansion of the Architecture and Building Consultancy team. The service line has doubled the number of specialists working within it in the last two years, becoming the largest team within the division. Further growth plans are currently in place for the next few years.
Matthew is a Chartered Building Surveyor in the Chapel Place office. Matthew has undertaken various Building Surveying services to a diverse portfolio of clients, including Royal Mail, Salvation Army, Winchester Working Men’s Housing Society, Aurora Fashions and Network Rail.
His primary skills cover: Schedules of Work, Schedules of Condition, Party Wall matters, Planned Maintenance Repair and Refurbishment Contracts of various properties, Schedules of Dilapidations, Insurance Valuations , Fire Insurance Valuations, Contract Administration, Defect Diagnosis and Prognosis, Statutory Consents, Budget Costs and Pre-acquisition survey.
Career Highlights:
- Shortlisted for Young Surveyor of the year in 2016.
- Leading on Party Wall matters for whole Thameslink project over 5 year period.
- Defending dilapidations claim on behalf of Tenant, resulting in a reduction of the Landlord’s claim from £4.9m to £1.45m
Career Highlights:
- Securing a portfolio insurance assessment in 2016 for over 150 assets in Greater London and Scotland.
- Delivering a £700,000 CAT B fit out to fifth floor offices on Paternoster Square overlooking St Paul’s Cathedral in the Summer of 2015.
- Providing Lead Consultancy advice to major financial institution for CAT A refurbishment of 20,000 sqft offices in central Bath.
- Building consultancy
- Commercial Tenant Advisory
- Commercial property and asset management
- Commercial Landlord Advisory
Matthew Ellams is head of our project management team. He has considerable experience within the sector and has worked across a wide range of projects, servicing many different types of clients.
Keith is a Partner in the commercial team and is based out of our Cambridge office.
Career Highlights:
- Project Management of the UK’s first retrospective fire pressurisation system on Grade II* listed tower building.
- Conservation and Restoration of Grade II* listed 18thC Summerhouse.
- Award Winning Conversion and Refurbishment of a Grade II listed farmhouse and range of traditional barns into a mixed use development.
Keith is a Partner in the commercial team and is based out of our Cambridge office.
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