17 services · Sussex & Surrey
Residential
Extensions, conversions and whole-home projects for homeowners, with site visits across West Sussex, East Sussex and Surrey.
Extensions
Architectural Contract Administration Services
Tender, Contract and Site Managed Through to Completion. Nationwide.
Why Clients Trust ArchEvolve With Contract Administration
A building contract only protects you if someone runs it properly. ArchEvolve is MCIAT-chartered and administers the contract fairly, from tender to final certificate, so work is checked, paid for correctly and finished to the drawings you approved.
- 15 years of experience
- 350 planning approvals secured
- 500 projects completed
- Revit 3D modelling as standard
- MCIAT-chartered accreditation
Our services
Contract Administration and Related Services
A well-run contract depends on complete construction drawings and Building Regulations drawings. On multi-unit schemes it follows our technical design for housing developments, and developers can read how we set up appointments on architectural services for property developers.
20 services · Nationwide
Developers & Commercial
Planning and technical design for developers and commercial clients across England.
Developer services
Site & feasibility
15 services · Homeowners and developers
Planning & Drawings
From the first feasibility check to construction drawings, in the order a project needs them.
01Feasibility & survey
02Planning
03Technical & construction
What Architectural Contract Administration Services Involve
Architectural contract administration services cover the period from tender to the end of the defects period. Acting as contract administrator under a standard form such as a JCT contract, we prepare the tender package, compare contractor bids, set up the contract, inspect work on site, value progress, issue instructions and certificates, and manage practical completion and the defects that follow. You get one point of control between you and the builder.
Common challenges
- Builders' quotes that cannot be compared like for like
- Starting work on a handshake with no written contract
- Paying for work before it has been checked on site
- Variations and extras agreed verbally and disputed later
- Delays with no clear record of who is responsible
- Snagging left unresolved once the final payment is made
How ArchEvolve solves them
- Tender package priced by every contractor on the same basis
- Suitable JCT contract selected, completed and signed before work starts
- Interim valuations checked against work actually completed
- Written instructions issued for every change and its cost
- Progress recorded at inspections and extension claims assessed
- Retention held until defects are made good
How an ArchEvolve Project Works
Contract administration follows seven stages, from inviting tenders to issuing the final certificate at the end of the defects period.
Tender Package
We assemble the construction drawings, specification and a schedule of work, so every invited contractor prices exactly the same scope.
Tender Analysis
We compare returned tenders line by line, query omissions and unusually low rates, and recommend a contractor on price, programme and completeness.
Contract Set-Up
We prepare the appropriate JCT contract, set the contract sum, dates, insurance and retention terms, and arrange signing before work starts on site.
Site Inspections
We inspect the work at agreed stages, record progress and quality, and hold progress meetings on site or over Teams between visits.
Instructions and Variations
We issue written instructions for any change, agree the cost before the work proceeds and assess any claims for extensions of time.
Valuations and Certificates
We value the work completed at each interim stage and issue payment certificates, so you only pay for work that has actually been done.
Completion and Defects
We certify practical completion, manage the rectification period, check defects are made good and issue the final certificate releasing the remaining retention.
0
+
years of experience
0
+
Planning approvals
0
+
projects completed
0
M
largest construction project developed
Contract Administration Across the UK
Contract Administration Backed by a Coordinated 3D Model
Many site disputes start with drawings that disagree with each other. ArchEvolve produces tender and construction information from one Revit model, so the contractor prices and builds from consistent drawings, and Enscape visuals show exactly what was agreed.
Clear Visual Reference
Enscape visuals from the Revit model show contractors exactly what is being built, which reduces misunderstandings about finishes, junctions and the agreed design.
Fewer Variations
Coordinated drawings from a single 3D model mean fewer clashes on site, fewer unexpected extras and fewer requests for information during the build.
Contract Knowledge
ArchEvolve administers standard JCT contracts on domestic, commercial and residential development projects, with remote progress reporting for sites anywhere in the UK.
One Point of Contact
Alex Page administers every contract personally, from tender to final certificate, so you deal with one person who knows the drawings in detail.
Contract Administration for Projects Across the UK
ArchEvolve administers building contracts for developers and clients anywhere in the UK, with site inspections at agreed stages and progress meetings and reporting over Microsoft Teams.
What do your architectural contract administration services include?
The service covers preparing the tender package, analysing tenders, setting up the building contract, site inspections, written instructions for changes, interim valuations and payment certificates, practical completion, the rectification period and the final certificate.
Which JCT contract should I use?
It depends on the size and complexity of the work. JCT publishes contracts for homeowners, a Minor Works contract for simpler projects, an Intermediate contract for more complex work and a Design and Build contract where the contractor takes on design responsibility. We recommend the right form at tender stage.
Is contract administration the same as project management?
Not quite. A contract administrator has defined duties under the building contract: issuing instructions, valuing work and certifying payments and completion fairly between client and contractor. Project management is broader and can include budgets, programme and consultant appointments beyond the contract itself.
What is practical completion?
Practical completion is the point at which the works are finished, apart from minor items, and the building can be handed over and used. Under JCT contracts it usually starts the rectification period, during which the contractor must put right any defects, and triggers the release of part of the retention.
What is retention and why does it matter?
Retention is a percentage of each payment held back from the contractor, as agreed in the contract. It gives the contractor a reason to return and fix defects. Part is normally released at practical completion and the rest once defects are made good at the end of the rectification period.
Do you need to visit the site to administer the contract?
Yes. Site inspections at agreed stages are a core part of the role, and the number and timing are set at appointment. Between visits we hold progress meetings and review photographs over Teams, which keeps the service practical for sites anywhere in the UK.
Can you administer a contract if another designer prepared the drawings?
Often, yes. We first review the existing drawings and specification for gaps, because incomplete information is the main cause of variations and disputes. Where needed, we can prepare additional construction drawings before the project goes to tender.
Do I need a contract administrator for a smaller project?
It is not a legal requirement, but even a small project benefits from a written contract, an agreed price and an independent check on work before payment. For domestic work, see our house extension service, where contract administration can follow the design stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Book Contract Administration for Your Project
Free initial Teams consultation for developers and clients UK-wide. Tell us about your project and where it is in the process.
