CONSULTANTS IN THE CONSTRUTION INDUSTRY.

CONSULTANTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY;ROLES AND NECESSITY.

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Consultants are commonly referenced as the `theory guys` because they are not builders.Yes,that Architect,Engineer,Project Manager and Surveyor does not build but design, offer guidance in building concepts and ensure they are followed to the letter. It is the contractor together with his team who build from the portfolio provided by the consultants.

The Architect (Arch) is the chief master mind of the project. All ideas come from him thus granted the supreme power even in the JBC contract to ensure the designs f follow his specifications. He does the spatial planning and models the general aesthetics of your project. The Structural Engineer (Eng.)is in charge of stability and durability of your projects. He ensures the building has a good frame and able to bear your inhabitance. The Quantity Surveyor (QS) does cost estimates of your project and provides you with the approximate budget.

The Project Manager (PM) first reviews all work done by the 3 members and raises concerns where there are some informalities. For example, advising the Eng. to revise his design as stability standards may not be ideal or request the QS to apply discounts to rates provided so as to reduce the budget. The PM also conducts a feasibility study to ascertain whether the project is worth being undertaken and likely to succeed.

In general, the paramount role of a consultant is to protect clients against themselves. A good number of clients provide briefs which are `heavenly` in nature and that is where we first come in to standardize your briefings. There is no room for impossibilities in the world of design. However, the more?the complexity the tougher the buildability. By this I mean the ease of which the building can be constructed. Complex designs especially entailing any other shapes except for rectangular or square (box) has serious cost implications and you may also experience challenges in approvals. Moreover, remember to bring out those curves, you need skilled workmanship. Approaching the wrong people will have serious consequences as what will be designed will become impracticable to build.

I agree the consultant is very is expensive in-service delivery but it is worthy in the long run. Honestly, you cannot expect an Architect to be mastering the same skill for six years to come out and charge worthless sums. When you inquire for a bungalow design and he charges you a copious sum with a promise to deliver within 72 hrs,don’t feel insecure that your hard-earned money is being taken from you in just 3 days. He is charging you for the six years spent mastering the skill. In the current trends today, with the sophistication of technology, I realized even a cyber guy can design. This is so unfortunate. Remember as you approach one, you are both accomplices in undermining the roles of a professional Architect. And for your information, a drawing designed by a cyber guy or the `experienced freelancer` who charges less and that designed by an Architect can easily be identified as the former is partly impracticable.

The other role of the consultant is to keep the contractor in check. There has been a huge conflict of interest because the theory guy is often accused of always introducing inconveniences to the builder during execution. This is true but however misunderstood. Remember this is the guy who designs and has the realistic interpretation of your briefing thus has the sole authority for such to be followed. Some contractors raise these petty claims in order to save on costs to their favor by doing substandard work. I do recommend that where the design is too complex, the contractor to be involved in the design process to avoid future collusions.

Traditionally the order of approaching the consultants was to first start with the Architect then proceed to Engineer and finally the Quantity surveyor as you become your own contractor. This order is still in practice. In the contemporary construction world, you approach a project manager who assembles the rest of the team including the contractor. There is also a system of having a design and build contractor, whereby the contractor employs consultants to do designs then later he builds. I am not against such as most clients find it convenient but remember to have a project manager from your end for adequate accountability.

Dearest Client, you must embrace the consultants in this industry lest you become captive of the the experienced conpersons charging less. At the end of the day, it will be your loss.

Best Regards .?

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