ABSTRACT
As a professional person, the architect has an implied duty to act with reasonable skill and care in carrying out duties in relation to a project. The architect needs to be aware of time constraints in the construction contract, particularly in relation to the production of design information or clarification. At the pre-construction site meeting, the periods will be set down within which the architect and other designers are required to comment on information provided by the contractor or their design subcontractors. SBC2005 and IC2005 provide that the Information Release Schedule can be the basis for the timing of production of information by the architect and other members of the design team. Some employers take the view that if any information is provided late, with the result that the contractor is entitled to an extension of time, this must be the responsibility of one or other of the design team, and they will look to whoever is responsible for compensation.
