What does construction administration involve?

Construction administration primarily involves managing the construction process and ensuring that it aligns with the established construction documents, such as drawings and specifications. This role includes safeguarding the project’s quality, timeline, and budget by coordinating various stakeholders, monitoring work progress, and addressing any issues that arise on-site.

This management process is essential because it ensures that the construction is executed according to the design intent and complies with applicable building codes, regulations, and established industry standards. Active involvement in site inspections, documentation review, and regular communication with the entire project team—including contractors, architects, and engineers—contributes to a smooth construction phase and helps in effectively rectifying any discrepancies.

In contrast, overseeing construction financing encompasses financial management aspects of a project that are not directly related to the construction process itself. Handling communications exclusively between architects is too narrow a focus, neglecting the broader context of interactions needed among all project stakeholders, including contractors and clients. Ignoring on-site inspections can lead to critical errors and omissions, jeopardizing compliance with the construction documents and the overall success of the project. Thus, effective construction administration is comprehensive, ensuring the alignment of all elements involved.