An Introduction to Architectural Conservation

Chapter 9Practical Matters: From Fees to Site Inspections

Risk management is the key to successful conservation projects

A conservation and refurbishment project is often a process of discovery and reaction, which requires careful management from the architect and contract administrator to avoid difficulties. An experienced architect can plan the contract in ways to avoid the considerable risks of cost and time over-runs that are the result of not being able to fully establish the condition of the existing fabric before work starts. It is often impossible to accurately predict the state of the walls behind renders, joists below floor-boards, rafters and battens below tiles, but with experience it may be possible to predict, and allow sufficient ...