JCT Design & Build — Birmingham, West Midlands & UK Employer’s Agent Services
Independent Employer’s Agent services for clients procuring under JCT Design and Build. We administer the contract, protect your interests and make sure the contractor delivers what you’re paying for.
Overview
Your representative under design and build
Design and build passes design responsibility to the contractor, but it doesn’t remove the client’s need for expert, independent representation. The Employer’s Agent makes sure the Employer’s Requirements are met, payments are fair and changes are properly controlled.
We act as Employer’s Agent under the JCT Design and Build contract, combining contract administration with quantity surveying and project oversight. That gives you a single, senior point of contact who understands both the contract and the commercial position.
Under NEC contracts the equivalent role is the Project Manager, which we provide through our project management service.
Scope of Services
What we do
Employer’s Agent services from pre-tender through to the final account.
Employer’s Requirements
Preparing or reviewing the Employer’s Requirements so the contractor prices and designs what you actually need.
Tender & Contract
Running the tender, reviewing the Contractor’s Proposals and preparing the contract documents and amendments.
Contract Administration
Issuing notices, instructions and certificates in line with the contract, on time and properly recorded.
Interim Payments
Assessing applications for payment and issuing payment notices that protect you from overpaying.
Change Control
Managing changes to the Employer’s Requirements and assessing their cost and time effect before they’re instructed.
Completion & Defects
Practical completion, the rectification period and agreement of the final account.
Our Approach
How we act as your Employer’s Agent
Requirements
We prepare or review the Employer’s Requirements and confirm the procurement programme.
Tender & Evaluation
We run the tender and assess the Contractor’s Proposals and pricing against your requirements.
Contract Award
We prepare the contract, amendments and supporting documents ready for signature.
Administration
We administer the contract day to day, with meetings, notices, change control and progress monitoring.
Valuations
Valuations and payment notices issued on time and in line with the contract.
Close-out
We certify practical completion, manage the rectification period and agree the final account.
Why October Projects
Why appoint October Projects
Chartered and experienced
Led by a chartered surveyor (MRICS) with experience acting as Employer’s Agent on design and build projects.
Commercially sharp
Because we combine contract administration with cost management, every instruction is considered for its cost effect first.
On your side
We’re independent of the contractor, so our advice is only ever in your interest.
Read our guides: What does an Employer’s Agent do? and JCT or NEC: which contract?
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What does an Employer’s Agent do?
An Employer’s Agent administers a JCT Design and Build contract on the client’s behalf, issuing instructions and notices, assessing payments, controlling change and certifying completion.
Is an Employer’s Agent the same as a Contract Administrator?
The roles are similar. Employer’s Agent is the term used under JCT Design and Build, where the contractor is responsible for design. Under traditional JCT contracts, the role is the Contract Administrator.
Do you act as Employer’s Agent on NEC contracts?
No. NEC contracts don’t have an Employer’s Agent. The equivalent role is the NEC Project Manager, which we also provide.
When should an Employer’s Agent be appointed?
Before tender, so the Employer’s Requirements and the contract are set up properly. Appointing late leaves less room to protect your position.
Can you take over a project already on site?
Yes. We can step in mid-project, review the contract position and take over administration from the existing team.
Further reading: What does an Employer’s Agent do? · JCT or NEC: which contract is right for your project?
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