“Quantity Surveying BSc – Defective Work Scenario 2. An extensive external pipe duct has been completed and covered over with pre-cast concrete cover slabs slightly ahead of programme. When the architect receives notice of the completion of this work he issues a written instruction that it is his intention to inspect the pipe work, valves and insulation that have just been covered up. In the instruction the architect states that the cost of removing the pre-cast cover slabs, making good any breakages and relaying will all be at the contractor’s expense as the pipe work, etc. should not have been covered up until he had been given the opportunity of inspecting the work. The managing director has asked for your comments prior to his meeting the architect on site to discuss the above problem. Please provide the necessary advice.”

The employer is entitled to expect that the architect will carry out inspections that could identify serious or minor defects in work; failure to perform these inspections will result in a breach of duty on the architects behalf. However, it is also good to note that the architect owes no duty to the contractor to find defects and the architects failure to inspect will not excuse a contractor from maintaining proper quality control systems. The contractor has undertaken to carry out the works in accordance with the contract, not to carry out the works to as low a standard as possible unless the architect notices. (Chappell, 2006 pg. 81)

In this scenario the architect wishes to inspect the pipe work, valves and insulation that have just been covered up. He states that the works should not have been covered up until he had been given the opportunity of inspecting the work. U…(short extract)