Episode 87 - RIBA Building Contracts (Part 1)

RIBA Domestic and Concise Building Contracts provide flexible, simplified frameworks for small-to-medium scale projects utilizing traditional procurement. While the Domestic contract caters to residential renovations and extensions, the Concise version addresses commercial and public sector requirements, including optional provisions for transparency and bribery prevention. Central to both is the Contract Administrator, who acts as an independent decision-maker responsible for issuing instructions, certifying payments, and managing project progress. Contractors bear primary responsibility for work quality, statutory compliance, and design portions, while collaborative mechanisms like pre-start meetings and risk registers mitigate potential delays. These contracts emphasize clear delineation of duties, with specific procedures for handling inconsistencies, variations, and extensions of time, ensuring that both parties maintain alignment throughout the construction process.