Question 1 - Architect's Instructions 

Task

Consider the following events and prepare brief notes on the advice you feel appropriate and make reference to the appropriate contract clauses:

a) The formation excavation for the car park had been excavated to a depth of 450mm as in accordance with the design specification. During his inspection of the site the CA told the site manager to increase the excavation depth to 750mm. The contracts manager sent written confirmation, of the instruction, to the CA by first class post the next day. The excavation work was carried out and 14 days after sending the confirmation the car park structure was laid, including additional layers of hardcore and tarmac.

Advise the contracts manager whether he is entitled to recover the additional costs incurred. (5%)

b) During a site inspection the CA discovers that the internal doors were installed were softwood, and not hardwood as required in the specification. The CA issued a written instruction for the incorrect doors to be removed forthwith and for them to be replaced with the appropriate hardwood doors. The CA returned to site 7 days later to discover that the doors had still not been removed; this caused him some concern.

Advise the CA as to what contractual procedures he may adopt to ensure the satisfactory removal of the incorrect doors. (10%)