A Chartered Architect must be a member of a professional body such as the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) or Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). As a member, he or she will uphold their ethics and standards of conduct and will have trained for a minimum of seven years. Only a qualified person who has undertaken approved courses and has passed the necessary examinations may call him or herself an Architect. The title ARCHITECT is protected in law. |
  |
|---|
PEACE OF MIND
It is unlikely that an unqualified person will hold insurances which cover their services, should the unthinkable happen and a problem occur with the project. A Chartered Architect must hold Professional Indemnity Insurance to cover such eventualities, and many may never have claimed on their policies after years of practice. Furthermore, the booklet 'Architect's Appointment' provides the safeguard of ultimate reference to these professional bodies for help and advice.
ARCHITECT'S FEE AND SERVICES
The first or preliminary consultation with an Architect may be more cost effective than you first thought. Architect's Services provide fair competition from tenderers allowing for good value for money. If the project is inspected on site by your Architect problems which could occur on site can be sorted out and not concealed. In some instances your Architect may even save you money by understanding how an unwary client can easily be caught out by an unscrupulous contractor. Architect's charges are explained in the booklet 'The Architect's Appointment', which a Chartered Architect will usually discuss with each client at the outset of a project. The Appointment lists the services of an Architect and provides the conditions under which he/she is engaged. Fees are usually charged as a percentage of the project's final cost, and can also be a lump sum agreed at the outset of the project. Fees are usually payable in stages or instalments as design work progresses.
TOWN PLANNING AND CONSENTS
The approved preliminary design is developed for final approval by the client and subsequent submission for planning approval. After receipt of planning consent, the Architect undertakes working drawings and specifications for the construction. The Architect will prepare all the relevant material necessary for Building Regulation and other complex statutory requirements.
TENDERS AND CONTRACT
The working drawings and Bills of Quantity comprise the contract documents on which tenders will be invited, normally from a limited number of contractors. This procedure will ensure that there is fair competition based upon common documentation which eliminates any ambiguities which may otherwise arise. The Architect will also advise on the form of contract most suitable for your own project.
HEALTH & SAFETY
For the last few years and for the foreseeable future Health & Safety issues have and will be of prime importance on any building site in order to reduce the accident rate in the building industry. An Architect will be able to advise on this onerous legislation and advise on how to proceed.
HOW THE CONTRACT WORKS
The contract will specify the tendered building cost and the duration of the works. The client will sign the contract directly with the successful tenderer. During the course of the works, the Architect will visit the site at an agreed frequency. He will issue certificates authorising payments to the contractor. When the building has been completed, ready for occupation, the Architect issues a Certificate of Practical Completion; a period called Defects Liability then follows, during which all outstanding or defective work must be made good. The contract is concluded by the issue of a Certificate of Final Completion, and a small percentage of the contract sum, called retention, is usually held by the clients until Final Completion.
