The Architectural Design for your home has been approved by the building authority.  Now what?

The next step is selecting your building contractor.  This is a critical step.  Find several reputable contractors and ask for a quote on blank Bills of Quantities.  Give them a deadline for the quotes.  The architect can be helpful when you go over the quotes.  Carefully consider previous work performance, length of time needed to complete the job, and the pricing of every quote.

Construction contracts are available at the Architectural Association of Kenya offices, professional center, Nairobi.  The contract contains a provision for a performance bond.  This bond means the contractor agrees to carry out the job specified, within the given time frame.  Failure to do so would mean the contractor would have to forfeit a specified amount of money.  The specified money is an agreed upon sum, usually 5% of the total contract.
When the exterior of the building is complete the architect can inspect the work.  If he is satisfied with the work he then issues a practical completion certificate.  This certificate states that the work is practically complete and the owner can move in.  With this completion certificate the contractor can get his performance bond from the bank.
A specific amount is withheld from each payment made to the builder, usually 10% of the contract.  When the contractor has finished the job, half of the amount retained is returned to him.  The other half is not returned until 6 months after construction.  This 6 month period is known as the defects liability period.  Any defects that occur after the owner takes possession of the house will be paid for with the retained money.  If no defects occur the architect issues a final certificate.  A final certificate states all defects have been repaired.  This releases the last of the retained money to be paid to the contractor.  Any defects that occur after the 6 month period are the owner’s responsibility.  Make sure a detailed inspection is performed before issuing the final certificate.

A meeting should be held on a regular basis with everyone involved with the job.  The Architect, the owner and the contractor should meet a least every two weeks at the site if possible.  Other people involved should be included as is necessary.  Some examples of others that should be included are…the Surveyor, the Structural Engineer, the Electrician, the Interior Designer, the Painter.  

Meetings on a regular basis help move the project along at a smooth pace.  These meeting can be used to track the progress of the building.  They can pinpoint problems and help solve them.   Any disputes between contractors can be resolved in these meetings.  Just remember to schedule these meetings in advance and remind everyone how important they are to the successful, timely completion of the job.