Your project team • 6 min read
Who does what on a building project?
A quick guide to the main roles that help design, price, coordinate, and deliver a construction project.
Architect
The architect develops the design with you, coordinates the architectural drawings, and may administer or inspect the works if that service is included in their appointment.
Ask whether the appointment includes site visits, contract administration, responses to contractor queries, review of samples, or certification of work. These services should not be assumed if they are not in the agreed scope.
Structural and building-services engineers
Engineers design and document the systems within their discipline—for example, structural elements or electrical and mechanical services. Their scope and site responsibilities should be agreed in writing.
Ask the relevant engineer to explain design assumptions, critical inspections, required tests, and what must be reviewed before work is concealed or changed. Bring technical questions back to the responsible designer rather than relying on a site guess.
Quantity surveyor
A quantity surveyor helps measure and price the work, prepare or review bills of quantities, advise on procurement, and monitor costs. Confirm which cost-management services are included in their appointment.
- Ask what is included in the estimate and which costs are excluded, provisional, or subject to supplier quotations.
- Agree how valuations, variations, and final account information will be measured and reported.
Project manager
A project manager coordinates the project’s scope, programme, communication, risks, and decisions. The role does not replace the technical design duties of the architect or engineers.
- Ask for a programme showing the main design, approval, procurement, construction, inspection, and handover milestones.
- Set a regular reporting format for progress, risks, cost changes, decisions needed, and overdue actions.
Contractor and client
The contractor carries out the construction work under the contract. The client makes project decisions, provides information and payments as agreed, and appoints the team. Clear responsibilities help prevent gaps and misunderstandings.
- Confirm who supplies materials, plant, temporary works, utilities, security, and waste removal.
- Agree who may instruct changes on the client’s behalf and how those instructions are recorded.
- Ask every consultant for a written scope, deliverables, fees, and inspection responsibilities.
- Use the contract to show who can approve changes and how instructions are recorded.
- Check current professional registrations and the contractor’s NCA licence where required.
Questions to ask before appointing someone
- What exactly will you deliver, and when will I receive it?
- What is outside your fee or responsibility?
- Who will be my day-to-day contact and who covers if they are unavailable?
- How will risks, delays, design changes, and cost changes be reported?
- How can I verify your registration and current practising licence?
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