Valid and acceptable form and format of architect’s instructions

Abstract

It is excellent if projects can be implemented purely as per the issued construction drawings. Yet, this scenario is too good to be true, especially when involving people with millions of feelings and desires. There are many external factors that lead to changes in each project. Thus, valid instructions are required to formalize and bind these changes into the construction contracts. Hence, the state of practice method in issuing Architect's Instructions in construction industry is very important for effectively communicating directions and orders of changes, further information, method of working and others, to the contractors, especially when some information is illegible due to poor quality, inadequacy and unclear construction drawings. The effectiveness of instructing during regular meetings is also questionable. This is because the verbal and written communication skills are inadequate among the constructional people, thus may lead to mistakes, inefficiencies, and even conflicts. These problems become more critical if they escalate into disputes. The most popular disputes in relations to Architect’s Instructions are on the entitlement of claiming additional payments by the contractors on variation works. These disputes occur because there are also disputes in recognizing the Architect’s Instructions among the construction people including the employers, consultants and contractors. In some cases law, some forms and formats are judged as the valid instructions, and some are not. Therefore, this research will find out what are the valid and acceptable form and format of Architect’s Instructions.