FEBRUARY 2025CONSTRUCTIONBUSINESSREVIEW.COM8ENHANCED CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION IN ARCHITECTUREA THREE-PART SERIES: WHAT IT IS, HOW IT BENEFITS THE CLIENT AND PROJECT, AND HOW TO NEGOTIATE ADDITIONAL FEESBy Raymond Kent, ASTC, Assoc AIA, Global Senior Design Leader, DLR GroupThe first in this series defined what Enhanced Construction Administration (ECA) is. In this one, we will explore how ECA can bring substantial benefits to both the client and the project--from ensuring quality control to mitigating risk. Unfortunately, what ECA entails is often misunderstood by clients, contractors, and design professionals alike. These stakeholders may hold many assumptions without realizing them. Generally, stakeholders approach a project from their perspectives and, having focused on their specific roles for so long, may fail to identify what they don't know.For example, clients may lack sophistication in how large-scale construction projects work. They might assume these services are already included, believe they don't need them, or think the contractor will "just take care of it." Meanwhile, if the designer says, "My work stops with X," and the contractor says, "My work begins with Y," neither has identified for the client the gap between X and Y that needs attention. The best and most respected leaders not only highlight these gaps but also present a compelling why for adding ECA services. By clarifying contractual expectations and delivery, architects can enhance project outcomes and successfully negotiate an additional fee for this elevated level of service.How Enhanced Construction Administration Benefits the ClientECA offers numerous advantages for clients, ranging from improved project quality to reduced risks. Key benefits include:1. Improved Quality Control ECA enables closer supervision of the construction process. Architects, engineers, and specialty design disciplines can catch mistakes early, ensuring the construction adheres to the original design, specifications, and industry standards. This heightened oversight is crucial for complex projects, where small execution errors can lead to costly delays or significant quality issues. Ultimately, this helps meet the client's expectations for quality and timely, on-budget delivery.2. Reduced Risk Clients face various risks during construction, from budget overruns to defects that, while workable, might negatively affect their future operations. ECA helps mitigate these risks. IN MYOPINIONRaymond Kent
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