08: Does the Architect Stay Involved Once Building Starts?

A common assumption is that once the design is done and a builder's hired, the architect's job is finished. That's not necessarily true — and whether we stay involved matters a lot for how smoothly your build goes.

What contract administration means

This ongoing role is called contract administration. It means we continue acting on your behalf throughout construction — visiting site periodically to check the work matches the design, reviewing the builder's payment claims to confirm work claimed has actually been done, and resolving any queries or design decisions that come up once building is underway, because something always does.

Managing changes once you can see the space

It's also common to want to change something once you can actually see the space taking shape — maybe a door feels like it's in the wrong place, or you'd like a window slightly bigger once you're standing in the room. We manage that too, assessing the implications a change like that has across the whole project — cost, programme, how it affects other trades or details already agreed — and coordinating it properly with the builder, rather than it becoming an informal conversation on site that causes confusion later.

Why this matters

Without this involvement, you as the client are left to interpret drawings, judge whether work is being done correctly, and negotiate directly with the builder if issues or changes come up — often without the expertise to know whether something's actually a problem or just how building work looks mid-way through.

We offer this as a distinct stage you can choose to include, precisely because most disputes and cost overruns happen not in the design phase, but during construction, when nobody independent is checking the work against the plan or managing changes properly.

It's worth deciding upfront whether you want us involved through to completion, or whether you're comfortable managing that relationship with the builder yourself once drawings are handed over — there's no wrong answer, but it's much easier to decide before building starts than partway through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does an architect's job end once the builder starts work?

Not necessarily — many clients choose to keep their architect involved through contract administration, overseeing the build against the design.

Can I still make changes once building has started?

Yes, this is common. We assess the cost, programme, and knock-on implications of any change and coordinate it properly with the builder.

Is contract administration included automatically?

It's offered as a distinct stage you can choose to include — worth deciding early, before building starts.

If you're not sure which approach is right for your project, give us a call, or email us through our contact form, and we'll talk it through.