Works Progress & Quality Management

Question 1

How do you ensure quality working as a CA under JCT?

Answer 1

Section 2 - Carrying out works

Section 3 - Control of works (provisions in place for poor performance, notice given 7 days if breached/failure to perform can instruct second contractor)

Section 4 - Payment (Only certify works which have been property executed)

Ask a contractor to open up suspect works, if they are in reasonable condition a relevant matter has occurred and issue an instruction to rectify. If they are unsatisfactory the contractor will need to put right.

Question 2

What mechanisms under the contract are available should works which are covered up need to be checked?

Answer 2

The CA can ask the contractor to open works to check the standard of work and if the works are up to standard will issue a variation to reinstate the works.

Question 3

What’s required under a Progress/Quality inspection?

Answer 3

Conformance to programme
Conformance to specification/SofW/Drawings
Compare works against manufacturers’s recommendations and details.

Question 4

Why is it important to monitor progress?

Answer 4

To ensure the works on site are being completed in accordance with the programme.

If behind allow the contractor to regain progress.

To manage expectation

Question 5

How do you monitor progress?

Answer 5

Programme
Date for completion (JCT)
Critical path

Question 6

What are quality descriptors?

Answer 6

Quality descriptors usually set out the requirements of the finishes works (i.e. in accordance with British Standards, Building Regulations, manufacturers recommendations etc) - they usually form part of the contract documents in the specification or schedule of works.

Question 7

What are the differences between a Clerk of Works and Contract Administrator?

Answer 7

CA is an interface between the client and contractor who monitors the progress and quality of the works. The CA does many roles including setting up the contract, advising on insurances, approvals are in place etc. Issuing payments, dealing with variations etc.

Clerk of works is usually a site based role who’s sole purpose is to identify and report on the quality of workmanship and materials which should be met in accordance with the contract documentation. Sometimes the Clerk of Works is instructed to monitor progress to and report to a CA. The Clerk of Works is usually appointed on behalf of the client by the Project Manager or Architect.

Both roles require site inspections.

Question 8

What reports can be produced for Works Progress Quality Management?

Answer 8

Variation reports - highlighting their affect on Cost, Quality and Time

Rejected works reports - describes which works have been rejected and reasoning.

Progress reports - describes the project progress against the programme. These may highlight the reason why the project is behind or ahead.

Question 9

What is a snagging inspection?

Answer 9

Poor nature or are unacceptable.

During the works.
End of the works (before PC)
End of rectification.

Question 10

How would you identify poor workmanship on site?

Answer 10

Not in accordance with standard practice
Not in accordance with specification
Not in accordance with manufacturers recommendations
Not in accordance with quality descriptors

Question 11

If a contractor was behind on site what would you do?

Answer 11

Notify the contractor and client of the lack of progress.

Query their is a lack of progress and ask whats in place to regain.

Be reasonable with both client and contractor (impartial!)

Assist where possible to try and get the project back o progress.

Question 12

What defines the required level of quality in a project?

Answer 12

Contract documents.
I.e.
Technical or performance specification
Drawings
Quality Descriptors

Degree of workmanship

Question 13

If you found bad quality work on site how would you deal with this?

Answer 13

Notify the person in charge and ask them to resolve the issue by issuing a notice.

If the contractor doesn’t resolve:

If the client is happy with it request a cost saving.
Instruct second contractor
Terminate contract

Question 14

What is progress measured against in a project (JCT)?

Answer 14

Date for completion.

Question 15

What are in place for a lack of progress in a JCT?

Answer 15

Extensions of time.

Liquidated damages.

Question 16

What is a rectification period?

Answer 16

Usually 12 months following practical completion in which any patent defects occur following the works, the contractor has to make good.

Question 17

What is the date of possession?

Answer 17

The date the contractor is given possession of the site (in the contract particulars, i.e. start date)

Question 18

What is the date for completion?

Answer 18

Its the envisaged date of completion set out in the contract.

Question 19

What is the completion date?

Answer 19

Either kept the same if on track or revised if extensions of time have been granted or the revised date if behind.

Question 20

What is practical completion?

Answer 20

When the works are practically complete albeit some minor items, maintenance or tidying up.

Question 21

What is partial possession?

Answer 21

Agreement when the client/user can re-take possession to parts. (not included in MW)

Question 22

What is sectional completion?

Answer 22

When the agreed works can be handed back over in sections (6th Recital).
Must include the relevant dates of possession.
Must divide project into clearly defined parts.
Not included in a MW.

Question 23

What is early use?

Answer 23

Client can use the site early if part or all of the works have been completed without formal possession being handed over.

Insurer’s must be notified and accept the early use. Employer will not covered for any contents brought into building.

Not included in MW.

Question 24

What is the final adjustment?

Answer 24

Contractor issues outstanding invoices, documents information to determine the final account within three months of PC.

In MW the CA has 33 days (28 days till due date and +5 days for cert) to issue the final account certificate after receiving the relevant documentation.

Question 25

What is an acceleration quotation?

Answer 25

Employer may request a quote for the acceleration of the works, if accepted a new completion date is issued.
Not included in MW.

Question 26

What mechanisms are in place for a poorly performing contractor under JCT?

Answer 26

Termination.

Question 27

Process for contract termination?

Answer 27

Default by contractor: Issue notice, if continue with breach for 7 days can terminate on or within 10 days of that 7th day.

Default by client: Issue notice, if continue with breach for 7 days can terminate on or within 10 days of that 7th day.

If works are hiatus for 1 month or more: Can issue a notice after the 1 month and after 7days of that notice either can terminate.

Insolvent or corruption: Immediately, notice must be given.

Question 28

How can quality be controlled on site?

Answer 28

Don’t issue payment/completion certificates until the works are satisfactory.
Exclude persons from the works (i.e. poor contractors)
Regular snagging + end snagging

Question 29

What happens if you have certified work which requires correcting?

Answer 29

The contractor has the responsibility for correcting defects.

If the contractor does not wish to correct later defects, the employer may instruct someone else and charge back to the contractor.

Question 30

How would you assure quality acting on a project?

Answer 30

Pre-contract tests/samples of products.
Site visits during key events (foundations etc)
Regular site visits
Site meetings to air issues out.
Removal of inadequate/deviated work.
Issue instruction/information to rectify works.

Question 31

Are quality issues reactive or proactive?

Answer 31

Reactive by me (CA / Designer)

Proactive by Contractor.

Question 32

If a defect was masked following PC and was brought to the attention later what would be the consequence?

Answer 32

Gallagher v McDowell Ltd (1961) - If the defect was hidden i.e. beneath coverings/masked it would not be the liability of the CA but the contractor.

William Hill v Bernard Sunley Sons (1982) - If the defects are fraudulently concealed, the contractor is liable to rectify. The CA must prove they weren’t party to these works and could not reasonably identify the shortfalls.

In summary the contractor cannot blame the CA failed to spot their shortfalls. Similarly, the CA cannot blame the employer to check them.

Question 33

What is PDCA and when do you use it?

Answer 33

Plan, Do, Check, Act cycle.

Used on a regular basis during quality inspections.

ISO 9001 is based on this system.

Question 34

What is a critical path?

Answer 34

A sequence of activities which are fundamental to the progress of a project.

I.e. if the foundation isn’t built the walls cannot be built and so on..