Slide 45 of 48
Notes:
- A clear set of plans must be available before the work begins
- Preferably by an engineer/architect
- Alternatively by the contractor
- Must comply with approved prescriptive standard
- Should be checked with the Building Department
- The plans should say they are tied and coordinated to the contract and the contract to the plans
- The contractor should not take responsibility for the plans (unless made by the contractor)
- Changes to design should be shown on amended drawings
- If there is no set of plans, then the contractor has no basis for bidding the job
- All retrofit work requires a building permit, even voluntary work
- KEEPING TRACK OF THE WORK
- Always keep records of everything that happens during work on the project.
- Notification of existing conditions
- Tell the owner when conditions other than in the scope of work are detected that are not up to current standard
- Get a change order or have the contract specifically exclude them from your responsibility
- Change Orders
- Document in writing
- Have contract note increase in compensation and time allotted
- Inspections
- View as opportunities to learn what is being done wrong before the work is rejected, the building fails or a claim is made
- Errors not caught by the inspector are the responsibility of the contractor alone
- Keep a record of each day that the inspector is on the job, what is checked and what comments are made
- Have the design engineer inspect the work and discuss unusual conditions
- If the contractor finds a problem and doesn't show it to the engineer, then the contractor will be responsible for the consequences
- Photographs – take picture before and after
- You don’t know it all, get advice when you need it
- Vendors
- Architects/engineers
- Lawyers
- Building Department
- Building associations
