Works progress and quality management Flashcards
What inhouse training have you done that helped you develop your understanding of recording progress and quality of building works?
I’ve undertaken:
– Weekly progress meetings.
– CPD on contract programmes to develop my understanding of recording progress and quality of building works.
How often do you typically undertake site inspections?
I typically undertake site inspections every 2 weeks depending on the duration and complexity of the works.
This can change based on the phase of the project and client requirements.
What kind of refurbishment schemes have you predominantly worked on?
I have predominantly worked on refurbishment schemes of residential buildings.
I have also had some experience with refurbishing historic and listed buildings.
Can you explain your process of cross-referencing the contract programme with progress on site?
I break down the contract programme into clear milestones prior to my inspection.
During the site inspection, I verify if the work has been done as per the programme.
This includes checking the quality and quantity of work complete.
What do you do if you identify delays to the project during these inspections?
If I identify delays during site inspections, I prepare a progress report and provide solutions to bring the project back on track.
What technique do you use to take clear photographs during site inspections?
I use high-resolution cameras.
Ensure images are taken in good light conditions.
I follow a system of taking photographs from standard positions to capture all aspects of the work.
What specific points or details do you include in your site notes?
I include details such as:
– The date.
– Work completed.
– Any issues observed.
– Weather conditions.
– The presence of site personnel.
How do you ensure these notes and photographs accurately reflect the site progress?
I cross-verify the notes and photographs with the actual site progress and the contract programme.
Wen reporting back to the client, what specific information do you provide them regarding site progress?
While reporting back to the client, I provide them with detailed analysis of the site progress, highlighting the work completed, quality of work, any delays or issues and proposed solutions.
What methods do you use to keep the client up-to-date about the project’s progress and quality?
To keep the client up to date about the project’s progress and quality, I use:
– Progress reports
– Weekly meetings
– Digital platforms
What was your role in the residential refurbishment scheme at Sandhills, Newark?
As a contract administrator, some of my specific duties included:
– Reviewing the contract documents.
– Managing the correspondence between the contractor and employer.
– Monitoring the progress of the refurbishment.
– Ensuring compliance with the contract.
Sandhills: What was the process you followed for the site inspection?
I followed a systematic process for site inspection.
This included observing each aspect of the work and checking for adherence to specifications.
What documents did you cross-reference on site to monitor the progress of the works?
I cross-referenced the project plan, design documents and works specification to ensure that the works were progressing as per schedule and standards.
What discrepancies did you identify during your site inspection? (Sandhills)
During the inspection, I identified the locks to the kitchen cupboards were not keyed alike as per the works specification.
Sandhills: How did the actual works on the external paving differ from what was on the tender drawings?
The actual works on the external paving differed from the tender drawings in terms of the layout which did not span the full width of the rear elevation as per the drawings.
Sandhills: What was the issue with the locks provided to the kitchen cupboards?
The locks provided for the kitchen cupboards were not as per the specifications agreed upon.
They needed to be keyed alike to allow support staff ease of accessing items without the need to carry sever sets of keys.
What action did you take after identifying the issues at Sandhills Park? (Quality)
I immediately communicated the issues to the contractor for rectification.
I also documented the discrepancies for record and future reference.
At Sandhills Park, How did the contractor respond to your queries?
The contractor was cooperative and responsive to my queries; he admitted the discrepancies and assured me that corrective actions would be undertaken immediately.
How did your role involving updating the client and what information did you include in the progress report?
I was responsible for providing regular updates to the client.
The progress report included details about the completed works, pending works, issues encountered, actions taken, and the revised timeline.
At Sandhills Park, How did the process of rectification impact the programme of works?
The rectification process led to a slight delay in the programme of works.
However, the contractor managed to bring in more resources to minimise the impact on the programme and the works were completed on time.
At Mountney Place; Can you describe how you utilised your firms internal tracker?
I used my firm’s internal tracker to monitor progress against the schedule, keep track of any changes to the contract, and to maintain an easily accessible record of all correspondences regarding the project.
How did you communicate with the client regarding the monitoring of progress at Mountney Place?
I kept the client informed about the project’s progress through weekly emails and monthly meetings.
The emails included a summary of works complete and an update on the overall project timeline, while the meetings allowed for more detailed discussions.
How often did you undertake site visits at Mountney Place & Sandhills Park, Newark?
Weekly.
Short in duration works so it was crucial to inspect regularly to ensure the project was completed on time for the tenants moving in date.
Mountney Place: How could the delay to the joinery works been avoided?
The delay could have been avoided by ensuring that the contractor had a thorough understanding of the timelines.
A stricter supervision of the joinery works would have helped.
What were the potential effects of the delay of the joinery works on the decoration?
Caused the decoration works to also run behind schedule.
This could have resulted in non-completion and extended completion time.
Mountney Place: How did you raise the issue with the contractor and what was the response?
The issue was formally raised to the contractor via email detailing the concerns.
The contractor responded by assuring the joiner works will complete the following week and provided an updated programme.
What is the significance of conducting regular site inspections during building works?
Ensures the project is progressing as per the project plan and quality standards.
This helps early identification of potential issues or delays.
Sandhills /Mountney Place: What measures were taken by the contractor to prevent impact on the completion date?
- Extra resources
- Weekend working
This ensures project delays were prevented
What is the differences between the duties of a Contract Administrator and Clerk of Works?
The Contract Administrator’s role is more administrative and contractual.
The Clerk of Works ensure that building works meet the specification and quality of works.
Contract Administrator
- Administering the contract between the client and the contractor.
- Ensure the conditions are met in a timely manner.
- Managing payments
- Resolving contract-related issues
- Variations
- Issuing certificates.
Clerk of Works
- Ensure work carried out is as per the plans, specifications, and quality standards.
- Regular site inspections
- Quality control
- Monitoring progress
- Liaising with the site team, and reporting any defects.
What are the duties of a contract administrator to assess quality of works?
Regular Inspections: To comply with the project timescales and contractual specifications.
Issue of the certificate of making good defects following the defect liability period.
Compliance: The Contract Administrator is responsible for ensuring that works comply with planning and building regulations, as well as any other relevant legislation or standards
What actions need to be taken if delays are noticed?
I would assess the impact of delay on the overall project timeline and report it to the client.
Corrective actions such as overtime work or rescheduling activities can be taken.
Why do you take photographs during site inspections?
Photographs and detailed notes provide a factual and visual record of the works.
They assist in tracking progress and mitigating disputes in the future.
Whats the importance of keeping clients up to date on site progress?
- Builds trust
- Ensures transparency.
- This allows the client to make informed decisions.
- Provides an opportunity to discuss and resolve any issues promptly.
Under what circumstances would a third party need to inspect works quality?
Third parties, such as cut edge corrosion providers to ensure compliance with their standards to satisfy the guarantee.
Public authority representatives may also need to inspect works’ quality to ensure compliance with industry standards, regulatory guidelines.
What is the role of a guarantee in construction and building works?
This is a promise that the material and workmanship are free from any faults or defects.
Offers protection to the client against financial loss for a specified period of time in case of any defects or failures.
What is a Clerk of Works?
A clerk of works is employed as a client representative.
Under the direction of the CA to act independently.
Checks the works are carried out in accordance with:
- Specification
- Building Regulations
- British Standards
- Health & Safety Regulations
What powers does a Clerk of Works have?
The only duty of the Clerk of Works is to inspect and report findings to the CA.
If a Clerk of Works gives a direction to the Contractor, it has no effect.
What happens if the Contractor does take an instruction from the Clerk of Works?
The contractor would be in breach of the Contract for taking instruction from the CoW.
You are clerk of works and notice a potential serious defect, the Contractor needs to rectify it asap to avoid disruption or delay. Should he proceed to rectify the defect under your instruction?
The Contract Administrator/Employers Agent must always confirm the instruction never the CoW.
If the Contractor proceeds under your instruction they may not be paid for this work.
Only the Architect/CA/EA can issue instructions.
If the CoW noticed serious defective workmanship on site, they would contact the Ar/CA/Ea immediately and circulate the defect found around the project team and copy the contractor in.
