What Does a Clerk of Works Do?

Q: What is the difference between a Clerk of Works and a site manager?

A Clerk of Works is appointed by and acts for the client, providing independent oversight of the contractor's work. A site manager is employed by the contractor and manages the day-to-day delivery of the works. The Clerk of Works provides a check on the quality and compliance of the work being carried out, while the site manager is responsible for delivering that work. The two roles are complementary but serve different interests.

Q: When should I appoint a Clerk of Works?

A Clerk of Works is most valuable on projects where quality control is critical, such as refurbishment of period or listed buildings, new build housing developments, major works on residential blocks, healthcare and education projects, and any project where the client does not have in-house construction expertise. They should be appointed before construction begins so they can review the specification and be present from the start of the works.

Q: What does a Clerk of Works inspect?

A Clerk of Works inspects all aspects of the construction works against the specification, drawings and relevant standards. This includes setting out and levels, foundations and substructure, structural frame and masonry, damp proofing and waterproofing, insulation and airtightness, mechanical and electrical installations, fire stopping and compartmentation, finishes and snagging. They keep detailed records and report any defects or departures from the specification.

Q: How much does a Clerk of Works cost?

Clerk of Works fees depend on the frequency and duration of site visits, and the complexity of the project. For a residential project requiring weekly visits, fees typically range from 500 to 1,500 pounds per month. For larger projects requiring full-time or near-full-time attendance, fees are higher. The cost is a small fraction of the contract value and is typically recovered many times over through defects identified and rectified during the works rather than after completion.

Overview

The Clerk of Works role

A Clerk of Works is an independent quality inspector appointed by the client to monitor construction works on site. They provide a critical check on workmanship, materials and compliance, ensuring the contractor delivers the project to the specified standard.

Core responsibilities

The Clerk of Works attends site regularly to inspect ongoing work against the drawings, specification and relevant standards. They check workmanship quality, material compliance, setting out accuracy and adherence to the construction programme. Detailed records are kept of every inspection, including photographs, and any defects or departures from the specification are reported to the contract administrator and client.

When a Clerk of Works adds most value

The role is most valuable where quality control is critical: period property refurbishment, cladding remediation, new build housing, major works on residential blocks and projects in the education or healthcare sectors. On these projects, the consequences of poor workmanship can be severe and costly to rectify after completion. Early identification of defects during the works is far more cost-effective than snagging afterwards.

How they work with the project team

The Clerk of Works works alongside but independently of the contractor, contract administrator and architect. They are the client's eyes and ears on site, providing impartial reporting on what is actually being built. They do not direct the contractor's workforce but raise issues with the contract administrator for resolution through the contract machinery.

The business case

Clerk of Works fees are typically a small percentage of the contract value. The return on that investment comes through defects identified and rectified during the works, reducing the volume and cost of post-completion snagging, rectification and disputes. On many projects, the cost savings from early defect identification significantly exceed the Clerk of Works fees.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a Clerk of Works and a site manager?

The Clerk of Works acts for the client and provides independent quality oversight. The site manager is employed by the contractor to deliver the works. The two roles serve different interests.

When should I appoint a Clerk of Works?

On projects where quality control is critical: period buildings, cladding remediation, new build, major works on blocks, and education or healthcare projects. Appoint before construction begins.

What does a Clerk of Works inspect?

All aspects of works against specification and drawings: foundations, structure, damp proofing, insulation, M&E, fire stopping, finishes and snagging. Detailed records and photographs are kept.

How much does a Clerk of Works cost?

For weekly site visits, typically 500 to 1,500 pounds per month. The cost is usually recovered many times over through defects identified during rather than after the works.

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