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In the first of two articles, architect and partner at Hawkins\Brown Nigel Ostime looks at how Pre-Construction Services Agreements (PCSAs) can better engage contractors to tackle issues early on, and offers advice on what to tell clients before they sign one
A
Pre-Construction Services Agreement enables the client
to employ the main design and build contractor to provide logistics and costing services, before the construction contract itself commences. This enables them to iron out issues prior to work starting on site, and typically, is part of a two-stage tender process – used in the first stage to procure contractor involvement in the design process.
For architects, a PCSA, either for the contractor or prospective contractor, can be a help or a hindrance. It is important to know what to look out for and be able to advise your clients accordingly.
There are many benefits that PCSAs can bring to a project but there are also some pitfalls to look out for.
Benefits A PCSA brings a range of benefits, contributing to the design process itself and ironing out design issues. It can help inform on buildability, sequencing, phasing and construction risk, the packaging of the works (including the risks of interfaces between packages), and on the selection of the specialist subcontractors delivering them. It can also be used to price work packages or suppliers on an open book basis. The cost plan, construction programme, and construction method itself can be encompassed in a PCSA, as can preparation of a site layout plan for the construction phase, and subcontractor bid documents. Further matters concerning the build phase that may affect the planning application (including waste disposal, traffic movement, tree preservation orders).
A major benefit for the construction stage is continuity of relationships within the contractor team. In addition, the contractor better understands the project’s ambitions,
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KAVLI INSTITUTE FOR NANOSCIENCE DISCOVERY Hawkins\Brown’s project for Oxford University benefitted from a Pre-Construction Services Agreement © Andy Stagg
ADF JANUARY 2022
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