Services / Contract administration
Contract administration
An independent hand on the building contract between you and your builder. We set up the contract, issue instructions, value the work before you pay, and see the job through completion and defects.
- FreeInitial consultationA conversation about your project, and a first view of what's possible, before any fee is agreed.
- FixedFee for each stageEvery stage is priced in writing before it starts. No hourly billing.
- 3DSee the design firstYour design is shown in 3D before it's submitted, while changes are still easy.
- FreeResubmissionIf planning is refused, we revise and resubmit at no extra design fee. Conditions
What we do
Setting up the contract
A building contract suited to the size of the job, with the drawings, specification and price agreed in it.
Instructions and variations
Changes issued in writing and priced before they're carried out, so costs stay under control.
Valuations and payments
Work on site valued before each payment, so you only pay for what has been done.
Site inspections
Regular visits to check progress and quality against the drawings.
Practical completion
A completion inspection and snagging list, and the handover of the building to you.
Defects and final account
Defects followed up during the defects period, and the final account agreed with the builder.
Contract administration
What's included
Priced once we know the contract value, programme and how often you'd like us on site.
- Building contract prepared for signing
- Written instructions and priced variations
- Valuations before each payment
- Site inspections with notes
- Practical completion, defects and final account
Before you start
What we need, and what sits outside our fee
- From you: the property address, a few photos, and any existing drawings, planning approvals or surveys you have. We arrange the measured survey with you.
- Not in our fee: council planning and building control fees, and specialist reports a council asks for, such as a tree survey or flood risk assessment, unless your fee proposal lists them.
- Your fee proposal sets out exactly what is included for your project before any work starts.
Common questions
What does a contract administrator do?
They run the building contract between you and your builder fairly: issuing instructions, valuing the work before each payment, certifying completion and dealing with defects. It protects both of you and keeps the job on track.
Do I need one for a small extension?
Not always, but it pays for itself on most extensions and new homes, because payments are only made for work that's been done and changes are priced before they happen.
Is this the same as project management?
They overlap. Contract administration is about running the building contract once a builder is appointed; project management covers the whole project, including consultants and approvals. Many clients use both. See project management.
Other services
- Free planning check
- House extensions
- Loft conversions
- Upward extensions
- Renovations and internal alterations
- Basement conversions
- Planning permission
- Lawful development certificates
- Pre-application advice
- Building regulations drawings
- Building control applications
- Structural calculations
- Structural surveys and letters of comfort
- Flat conversions
- Lease plans and licence to alter
- Change of use
- New builds
- Interior design
- 3D visualisation
- Energy and retrofit
- Energy Performance Certificates (EPC)
- Accessible home adaptations
- Commercial fit-outs and shopfronts
- Design consultations
- Party wall surveys
- Build over agreements and drainage
- Planning reports and statements
- Amendments, conditions and regularisation
- Planning appeals
- Conservation areas and listed buildings
- Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
- HMO planning and licensing
- Feasibility and site checks
- Measured surveys
- Building surveys
- Drawing reviews and second opinions
- Location and block plans
- Tender and construction support
- Principal designer (CDM and building regulations)
- Cost management
- Project management
- Design and build
- Turnkey projects
- Landscape design
Where we work
Contract administration across London
Local planning points for the boroughs closest to our Cricklewood studio: Ealing, Harrow, Brent, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Haringey, Enfield, Barnet, Camden, Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea. See all 33 boroughs.