ABSTRACT

Contract administration (CA) services are focused on the administrative aspects of construction instead of design. The contractor should include a “general conditions” line item to be treated as equal to the contractor’s project operation cost over the period of the contract time to be allocated on a monthly basis in each payment application. The contractor must submit complete lists or schedules of all proposed subcontractors and material suppliers and of all proposed construction materials and equipment immediately following the Notice to Proceed. There are three “pillars” that support properly executing the design professional’s CA services and avoiding litigation that may result from these services: control; competence and communication. When providing CA services, it is imperative that the designer not only communicate what is observed at the site but also to detail it in writing to both the owner as well as the contractor if he/she observes any problems of concern or deficiencies in the work of the contractor.