Championing Quality Construction Information

We were pleased to see that research undertaken by @NHBC as part of their Construction Quality Reviews (CQR's) is revealing that significant numbers of on site defects and abortive construction work could be prevented if the construction industry, in particular #housebuilders and #designandbuildcontractors, commissioned quality working drawings from their designers. At Snug we are committed to producing appropriate working drawings that are fit for purpose and good value to our clients. This is not a one size fits all situation. Every project has its own requirements. A complex, contemporary and bespoke design being built by an in experienced contractor requires considerably more design information than a traditional design being built by an experienced house builder. Nonetheless, the drive to minimal expenditure and minimum information is a drive to the bottom. We are advocating an industry standard for working drawings. This would allow clients and contractors to set appropriate standards of drawing and levels of detail so that tendering designers are clear on expectations. The current absence of any agreed standards or level of detail at tender stage means all architects have to price low. The result is a downwards pressure to prepare the least possible amount of information. This is in no ones interest. We are asking organisations like the NHBC to help us prepare a universal set of standards for working drawings, covering minimum levels of production information that are properly coordinated and communicate critical details, quality standards and specification. We believe the impact this could have on reducing costs to the construction industry could be huge. Clients benefit because tender returns are lower when the tender documentation is clear and risks reduced. Contractors benefit from a reduction in defective or abortive work. Architects benefit because their work is appropriately valued.