The Employer's Agent sits between client and contractor, operating as the client's or developer's representative, as a communications bridge, an observer, a quality controller, fundamentally staying on top of the contract and its requirements.

Because McBains has such an extensive base of experience, we're particularly well-placed to deliver against the brief.

Employer's Agent is usually a relatively passive role, requiring the contractor to make applications, offer the building for inspection and so on.

McBains' approach is different. We have standard modifications on the building contract, which allow us to change the responsibilities of the contractor in the administration of the contract, giving the Employers Agent a greater range of powers, and placing stricter obligations on the contractor in the management of defects post-completion.

It also allows for the Employer - the developer - to bring in third parties to make good as required. As in the working relationship with the Employer, our amendments allow us to take the contractor to task through the whole life cycle of the project, be it in relation to programme, quality or cost.

It can be one of our sternest but most necessary roles.

We keep the Employer informed and allow them to take decisions as and when needed, based on the best available information at that time. Once in contract, we keep the Employer involved in the decision making and provide monthly reports.

Once the building project has been completed, through the amendments to the building contract, we place the contractor in a position of having to make good defects in a pre-determined timely manner, or face the conseuences of paying other for making good through deductions from retentions etc.

You need only witness the quality of finished product to appreciate it's the better way.