At the same time, we began writing a
specification which detailed the work
the contractor had to do in order to
refurbish, alter, and extend the
building. Our specifications are
elemental in that they deal with the
work required by having a section for
each element of the work.

For example, all the work required to
the roofs is in one section, walls
another section, heating, electrics all
have their own sections. Therefore,
the first element of the specification is
the demolition and stripping out
required to get the building ready to
start the alteration of extension work.
The second element of the
specification is the additions and
alterations to the underground
drainage required including the
construction of new inspection
chambers if necessary. The third
element of the specification is the
construction of any new walls
including foundations. The
specification continues in this way
until each and every element of the
building process has been specified.

Upon completion of the specification
and approval by the client, we invited
contractors to tender. Three tenders
were received from contractors who
we had worked with in the past and
new their standard of workmanship.
Our client wished to inspect the
lowest tenderers work before making
a decision as to whether or not to
award him the contract. The lowest
tenderer provided us with the address
of a building where he was working.
Our client inspected and was not
happy. We therefore selected the

second lowest tenderer and our clients
inspected that contractors work. Our
client made the decision on the basis
of the work that he had inspected to
award the contract to the second
lowest tenderer.

Post Contract
The contract entered into was a JCT
agreement for minor building works
and the contract sum was
£360,000.00. The contract period was
for 6 months. As the work progressed,
our client changed his mind and made
additions on a number of items and
these additions increased the contract
sum and the contract period. The
building contract progressed. As items
were discovered, the conservation
officer became involved and insisted
on reinstatement on some elements of
the work on a like to like basis. For
example, it would be normal practice
to replace defective lathe and plaster
with plasterboard and plaster. The
conservation officer would not allow
this and defective lathe and plaster
had to be replaced with new lathe and
plaster. This type of alteration
increased the contract period and also
increased costs.

During the time of the building works
we inspected regularly to check the
quality of materials and workmanship.
We valued the work for stage
payments from the client to the
contractor at fortnightly intervals. The
valuations were certified in writing.
The variations to the contract were
always confirmed in writing. All the
written documentation prepared by us
was sent to the contractor and client.

The contract was finally completed in
the autumn of 2007 and our client
moved into the property. We have just
completed snagging work following
the end of the 6 months defects
liability period. All is well.