Sir, – Michael Casey (Opinion, November 8th) downgrades the role of building contractors.
Builders who know how to build, including the incorporation of statutory regulations, do not need architects to supervise them. It is not within the competence of an architect to turn an incompetent builder into a competent one.
It is the role of the architect in administering the contract to support the building owner and the builder to bring the project to a satisfactory fruition. In this context the site is in the sole charge of the builder and the architect enters the site with his permission.
Employing a clerk of works is an excellent suggestion, but will be seen by builders as threatening additional costs in a very competitive age when lowest price often takes precedence over ability. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Am I the only one to find it ironic to have a banker complaining about the lack of regulation in the building industry? Physician, heal thyself! – Yours, etc,