PART ONE Rachel is in conversation with Jerry Shoolbred, Clerk of Works for Anglia Ruskin University. His role as Clerk involves overseeing all aspects of site control for projects across the university.
Jerry explains the importance and value a clerk of works brings to a construction project and the reasons why it can be vital to have them involved from the early stages of any building project.
Listen in and find out more
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Can you explain how a clerk can help ensure things don’t move to litigation?
Lots of people don’t understand the modern construction industry and building process and employing a clerk of work can help to make sure the processes are adhered to and the client gets exactly what they are expecting.
Should a clerk be brought in at the early stages?
When a clerk is brought in at an early stage they can get to know the client and use that knowledge effectively throughout the build. It's about reducing as many of the risks as possible. Clerks of work are senior positions in the industry and have a wealth of experience and expertise.
How can digital technology improve and enhance the work of the clerk?
There are several useful Apps that enhance our work. There is still a need to complete independent inspections on site due to specific work being completed in a different way to the plan.
The use of social media platforms has played an important role in enabling clerks of work to connect and share their experiences and challenges.
How does a clerk of works put together a fee for their services?
If you are looking at a large scheme the cost of a clerk of works visiting a site 4 or 5 times a week is negligible compared with repairs and potentially putting a job back together when it has completed incorrectly.
In smaller projects, the client can think the building control officer will identify issues and is on their side put, in fact, they are there for compliance alone.
BEST MOMENTS
‘The role of ‘Clerk of Works has been around for a very long time’
‘The industry needs to have a proper quality clerk of works on every site to advise’
‘Anybody who is out there thinking about a clerk of works, it will be the best money you’ve ever spent’
PART TWO
‘A clerk of works is an on-site quality controller who works to advise the different parties of issues as the project progresses’
The role of ‘Clerk of Works’ discussion continues with Jerry Shoolbred who provides some fascinating examples from his own experience demonstrating the importance and impact of this role for any building and development project.
Find out more about the role of the clerk of works and extend your understanding of why this role is vital for any project large or small.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
What’s the advantage of bringing a clerk on board early in the process, and what are the disadvantages of not bringing a clerk in until stage 5?
When brought in early the clerk of works can liaise with the architect and make changes prior to the issues being raised on site which can have both material and time cost implications.
There are lots of moving parts within a building project and not bringing a clerk on until the later stages can result in breaches of health and safety as different contractors may not be able to communicate directly with other contractors or ensure paperwork is accurate and comprehensive.
Based on your experience is there a certain complexity of a project, or type of industry that looks towards employing a Clerk of Works early?
People can misunderstand the roles of individuals across projects often assuming the architect, contractor and building regulations will act in their interests. All individuals have important roles to play but do not have the oversight and expertise of a Clerk of Works
A Clerk of Works is an on-site quality controller who works to advise the different parties of issues as the project progresses.
How does a Clerk of Works put together a fee schedule for a project?
For a large scheme the cost of a clerk of works visiting 4 or 5 times a week to help with snagging and hand over is negligible compared with the cost of remediation.
For smaller projects, the cost is more challenging but still worthwhile as the issues arising are the same whatever the size of the development.
BEST MOMENTS
‘Building control will check fire stopping but they don’t have time to check every single piece’
‘It’s all about compliance and checking materials’
‘If you are thinking about employing a clerk of works make sure you get one that is qualified’
VALUABLE RESOURCES
The Property Regeneration Show podcast
Clerk of Works Handbook
0 Comments