The construction industry is quite a critical one, and no project can see the light of the day without the involvement of one professional an architect. No matter how small or big a construction project is, it cannot attain fruition without the knowledge and expertise of architects. It’s the architects who are responsible for planning and executing any building or concrete structure. He or she plays an active role in shaping the visual appeal and the overall design of structures.
When a client appoints an architect, he or she takes on the responsibility to develop the structure by following the design concept and other requirements. They are both creative and logical thinkers who turn a vision into reality for construction clients. However, the job of architects isn’t an easy one. There are many state-prescribed laws and regulations that they have to follow. Any breach of professional duty, mistake or omission on their part can cause irreparable damage to their clients.
Sometimes, an architect working on a construction project can be found negligent while performing his or her professional duties. Now, the client can initiate a lawsuit against them to seek compensation for any financial loss or personal injury suffered as a result of it. Such an event can be legally expensive for architects. At worst, they may suffer immense reputational damage as professionals. To protect themselves against such losses, they need to have a professional indemnity insurance policy.
If you are wondering “do architects need professional indemnity insurance”, then the answer is yes. Such an insurance policy can provide protection to architects against financial losses and reputation damage. To know more about professional indemnity insurance, you can visit BizCover.
Let’s take you through some important roles and responsibilities that architects should consider during the construction process:
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Initial planning
Once a client hires an architect for a construction project, an initial meeting takes place between the two parties. This is a meeting where both parties discuss the nature and scope of the project. During this meeting, architects have to understand the requirements of the client and note the objectives of the project. It’s an early planning stage when architects discuss the design concept, budget, site characteristics and regulatory frameworks. They conduct a feasibility study and lay down possible solutions to challenges that may be standing in the way of the project.
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Preparing drawings
After having a detailed discussion with their client, architects come up with design drawings to put their visuals on paper. These drawings help architects to pre-check for errors that may later on delay the execution of the project. He or she comes with a detailed estimation of materials and labor, which in turn, quantifies the budget for the project. These sketches include the site plan, floor plan, and the elevation. They also prepare visual 3D models to get a clear understanding of the construction site.
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Cost estimation
Architects have a huge role to play in estimating the overall budget of the construction project. It’s with their estimation and forethought that clients are able to have full control over the project’s budget. Any budgetary issues that may arise come to the forefront based on the estimation provided by the architect. From materials to labor wages, every element of cost involved in construction projects is properly detailed out by architects so that there are no budget overruns.
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Preparing construction contracts
When architects come up with a full design plan and cost projection, it becomes easier for clients to determine which sectors of the construction project can be contracted out. It’s on the basis of the architect’s decisions that contractors take the responsibility of the project and supply materials and labor to execute the project. It’s the architects who bid the tender and assist in carrying out the construction contract. After getting the tender, architects carry out a proper tender analysis and report it to the client. These professionals are the ones who ultimately suggest and choose contractors to carry out different construction activities.
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Liaising with civil engineers
Based on the terms specified in the construction contract, architects collaborate with civil engineers to start the construction. They are mostly involved in huge contraction projects where they demonstrate their technical knowledge and identify different strengths and stability factors. They coordinate the entire construction project in collaboration with civil engineers by following different regulations and standard codes and ensure adherence to the budget and project timeline. Architects are also responsible for checking invoices at the end of every month after certain activities are completed at the construction site.
Conclusion
The above are some crucial roles and responsibilities played by architects in construction. Their service fees rarely exceed one percent of the total construction cost. Every client planning to construct a structure requires the knowledge and expertise of architects to create something sustainable and suitable within a reasonable timeframe. These professionals enhance the value of buildings, which leads to significant savings for clients. From site selection and concept planning to project scheduling and budgeting, the role of architects in construction is very valuable.
References
[1] The Constructor, Roles and Responsibilities of Architects in Construction, Avl at: https://theconstructor.org/construction/architects-roles-responsibilities-construction/18511/#:~:text=Architects%20in%20construction%20plays%20an,requirements%20specified%20by%20the%20client.
[2] Thread Gold Architecture, You and Your Architect, Avl at: https://threadgoldarchitecture.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/youandyourarchitect_AIA_.pdf
[3] Mark Lawler Architects, What do Architects do?, Avl at: https://www.marklawlerarchitects.com.au/what-do-architects-do/
