BORAQS Architect Exam key terms

A written direction issued by the architect to the contractor under the building contract, ordering a change, clarifying documents, or requiring action on site. It becomes the formal trigger for valuation and time adjustments.

A guidance document issued by the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors setting out expected professional conduct, procedural requirements, or interpretations that registered practitioners should follow in their work.

The binding set of ethical and behavioural rules governing registered architects, covering competence, conflict of interest, confidentiality, advertising, and duties to clients and the public. Breach may lead to disciplinary proceedings.

Structured learning activities that registered practitioners must record and complete over a defined cycle to maintain and update their knowledge. Records are typically audited and non-compliance can affect renewal of registration.

Insurance covering an architect against claims for negligence, error, or omission in professional services. Policies are usually written on a claims-made basis, so cover must be maintained for the period claims may arise.

The legal obligation to exercise reasonable skill and care towards those who may foreseeably be affected by one's work. For architects it runs to clients, contractors, and subsequent building users.

Failure to exercise the standard of care a reasonable professional would provide, causing loss. A claim requires proof of a duty, a breach, causation, and resulting damage.

The agreement between employer and contractor defining scope, price, time, and risk allocation. Standard forms are commonly used, with particular conditions setting out obligations, payment, and dispute procedures.

The stage at which the works are complete except for minor defects that do not prevent the building being used for its intended purpose. It triggers the defects liability period, release of part of retention, and insurance changes.

A defined period after practical completion during which the contractor must rectify notified defects at no extra cost. The architect inspects at its end and certifies making good before final payment is released.

A periodic certificate issued by the architect stating the amount due to the contractor for work executed and materials on site, less retention and previous payments. It is the basis for progress payments.

A percentage of each payment withheld by the employer as security for performance and rectification of defects. Part is released at practical completion and the balance after the defects liability period.

A guarantee, usually issued by a bank or insurer, under which a sum is payable to the employer if the contractor fails to perform its contractual obligations. It is a form of project security.

A change to the works ordered after contract execution, such as altering design, quality, quantity, or timing. It must be instructed in writing and is valued under the contract's valuation rules.

A written direction issued on site, often by the architect's representative, recording an agreed action or minor matter. Its authority depends on delegation and on the contract's provisions for instructions.

A person appointed to inspect workmanship and materials on site on behalf of the employer and report to the architect. The role is supervisory and does not replace the architect's design authority or certification duties.

A controlled log listing every drawing issued, with revision number, date, purpose, and recipients. It supports document control, avoids use of superseded information, and evidences what was issued when.

The system for numbering, dating, and tracking changes to drawings and specifications so that only current information is used. Superseded versions are marked and withdrawn from site use.

A drawing amended after construction to record the works as actually built, including deviations from the design. It is used for operation, maintenance, future alterations, and statutory records.

A written description of materials, workmanship, and performance standards for the works, complementing the drawings. It forms part of the contract documents and is used for pricing and quality control.

A document itemising and measuring the work in trade sections so tenderers price the same basis. It supports comparative tendering, interim valuations, and variation valuation.

The settled statement of the total sum payable under the contract, adjusting the contract sum for variations, provisional sums, and other entitlements. It is agreed after completion and defects rectification.

Costs for site establishment and general obligations rather than permanent work, such as supervision, temporary works, insurance, and site facilities. They are usually priced as a separate bill section.

An allowance in the contract for work that cannot be fully defined or measured at tender stage. It is later adjusted to the actual cost, with the contractor's entitlement to overheads and profit as stated.

An allowance for materials or services supplied by a nominated supplier or subcontractor, later replaced by the actual cost plus an agreed percentage for attendance and profit.

The process of taking dimensions from drawings and site data and expressing them in standard units to produce quantities. Accuracy depends on consistent rules of measurement and clear descriptions.

The initial stage of quantity surveying in which dimensions are extracted from drawings and recorded in a structured order for later squaring, abstracting, and billing.

The step in measurement where recorded dimensions are multiplied to give areas, volumes, or lengths. Entries are grouped and checked before being transferred to the abstract.

A cost forecast prepared with limited design information, often using rates per square metre or similar benchmarks. It guides early decisions and is progressively refined as design develops.

A cost breakdown structured by building elements such as substructure, frame, and finishes, allowing design decisions to be tested against budget. It is updated as design information increases.

The ongoing process of comparing committed and forecast expenditure against the approved budget and taking corrective action. It relies on timely cost reporting and change management.

The package issued to bidders containing drawings, specification, bills, conditions, and forms of tender. Its completeness and consistency determine whether bids are comparable and low in risk.

A pre-agreed sum payable by the contractor for each day of delay beyond the completion date. It must be a genuine estimate of loss, otherwise it may be unenforceable as a penalty.

An adjustment of the completion date granted for delays caused by events for which the employer bears risk, such as exceptionally adverse weather or late instructions. It protects the contractor from liquidated damages for that period.

A periodic record of work executed, delays, instructions, and issues on site, issued to the client and contract parties. It supports certification, cost reporting, and later claims analysis.

A schedule of incomplete or defective items identified during inspection before or at handover. It is used to manage rectification and to support certification of practical completion.

The detailed composition of a unit rate from labour, material, plant, waste, overheads, and profit. It allows the basis of a price to be examined and compared.