Someone on your Side During Construction

Signing a building contract is only the start. Over the following months come variations, progress claims, extension of time requests and defects, and decisions made on paper can cost you thousands. As your Administrator, I manage the contract on your behalf, from tendering through to the end of the defects liability period.

What is Contract Administration

It’s the process of making sure your building contract is carried out in line with its terms. I act as your agent, representing your interests throughout construction while still acting fairly and reasonably towards both you and your builder.

It’s not site supervision or project management. Your builder remains responsible for building and managing the works. My role is to manage the contract: the paperwork, the decisions and the money.

What’s Included

Tendering

  • Calling tenders and answering tenderers’ questions

  • Closing and assessing tenders

  • Negotiating with the preferred tenderer

  • Providing a tender recommendation

Contract

  • Organising the contract documents and signing by both parties

During construction

  • Site inspections to check the works conform with the contract documents

  • Arranging and attending site meetings, with minutes

  • Reviewing shop drawings and builder submissions

  • Providing supplementary details and instructions to clarify the documents

  • Administering variations and getting your approval before they proceed

  • Assessing progress claims and issuing payment certificates

  • Assessing claims for extensions of time

  • Adjusting prime cost and provisional sums

  • Coordinating consultants

  • Keeping you informed of time, cost and progress

Completion

  • Inspecting the works and arranging defects lists before practical completion

  • Inspecting amended defects and issuing the notice of practical completion

  • Managing defects during the defects liability period

  • Assessing the final claim and issuing the final certificate

Why it Matters

  • Protects your budget: Every progress claim is assessed against the work completed, and every variation is priced and approved before work begins.

  • Protects quality: Regular inspections check the build against the documents.

  • Keeps a clear record: Notices, approvals and certificates are all in writing, which matters if a question comes up later.

  • One point of contact: You deal with me, not a pile of paperwork.

Works Best with a Detailed Specification

A written architectural specification means every builder tenders on the same detail, so quotes can be compared fairly and the build runs more smoothly. Learn about specifications.

Designed by Someone Else?

That’s fine. You don’t need to have had your plans drawn by LDDesign. I also administer building contracts for projects designed by other designers and architects. I’ll review your contract first to confirm I can administer it, then take it from there. If you’re about to sign, or you’ve already started building and want someone managing the paperwork, get in touch.

Tendering Only

If you just need help choosing a builder, I can run the tender process on its own

Fees

Contract administration is charged as a percentage of the building contract price:

  • Tendering only: 0.75% of the contract price (minimum fee $1,500 + GST)

  • Full contract administration: 3% of the contract price, from tendering to final certificate

See our full fee schedule.

Common Questions

What’s the difference between an administrator and a supervisor?
A supervisor oversees the day-to-day building work. An administrator manages the contract: claims, variations, time and cost. Your builder remains responsible for supervising the build.

Do I need contract administration if I trust my builder?
It isn’t compulsory. It’s a safeguard for the biggest financial commitment most people make, and it keeps things clear and fair if a disagreement comes up.

When should I engage you?
Ideally before tendering, so the contract is set up properly from the start.

Can you administer a building contract I’ve already signed, or one someone else prepared?
In most cases, yes. Contract administration works best when the contract names an administrator, so I’ll review it first to confirm I can act and tell you if anything needs to change. Get in touch, and we’ll go through it together.

Let’s Talk

Phone or email me to book an initial consultation and talk through your project.

Contact Me