The design is complete, the team is assembled, and construction is ready to begin — a major milestone in any project. It’s an exciting transition where ideas, sketches, and models evolve into the real, built environment you’ve envisioned.

While the contractor now leads the day-to-day activity on site, your Architect continues to play an essential role. We’re still very much part of the process — helping ensure the design intent is carried through.

As the Owner, your involvement shifts but remains important. Timely decisions, participation in progress meetings, and reviewing payment requests are all part of keeping the project on track. Construction is full of moving parts — but with clear communication and collaboration between the Owner, Architect, and Contractor, it becomes a focused and rewarding phase that brings your vision to life.

Roles + Responsibilities

Owner

• Role includes making timely decisions, approving changes or payments, and staying informed through regular updates

Architect

• Client’s design advocate. Attends site visits + answers questions from the contractor, reviews materials and shop drawings, and ensures the design is faithfully executed

Contractor

• Leads the construction effort. They manage the schedule, coordinate tradespeople, procure materials, and build the project based on the construction documents

Consultants

• Specialists such as structural, mechanical, electrical, or landscape professionals. They may visit the site or review items specific to their discipline

Inspectors + Agencies

• Local officials who verify that the construction meets building codes and regulations. The contractor typically coordinates inspections

Client Responsibilities

As construction gets underway, your role as the Owner evolves. You are still a key part of the team, helping to keep things moving and making sure decisions reflect your goals

Make Timely Decisions

• When questions + changes arise, a timely decision can save time + money

Review + Approve

• It is important to review payment applications + change orders when available to avoid delays

Attend Site Meetings

• Be present during construction. Attend regularly scheduled owner-architect-contractor meetings

Stay Engaged

• Maintain communications with your architect + contractor as progress unfolds. This is the best way to feel informed about schedules and budgets

Architect Responsibilities

Architect remains an active and valuable part of the team. Our role shifts from design to oversight and support, helping you navigate the process, providing updates +guidance so you can make timely, informed decisions

Site Visits

• Observe construction progress and general conformance with the drawings

Answer Questions

• Respond to contractor Requests for Information, known as “RFIs”

Review Submittals

• Check samples, product data, and shop drawings for alignment with design intent

Evaluate Payment Requests

• Review + approve the contractor’s monthly applications for payment

Assess Changes

• Review proposed change orders for cost, design impact, and fairness

Contractor Responsibilities

Once construction begins, the Contractor becomes the central figure on site. They are responsible for executing the work, managing the trades, and turning the drawings into a finished building

Managing The Schedule

• The Contractor develops and maintains a detailed project timeline. This includes coordinating the sequence of trades, tracking progress, adjusting for weather or delays, and working proactively to avoid disruptions

Hiring and supervising subcontractors

• The Contractor assembles the team of specialists — such as framers, electricians, plumbers, and painters — and oversees their work on-site to ensure quality and alignment with the project schedule

Ordering materials

• They order and track delivery of all building materials, equipment, and fixtures. Timely procurement is essential to keeping the schedule on track and avoiding costly delays

Building According To The Construction Documents

• Executing the work in line with the Architect’s drawings and specifications. They interpret the documents and flag any issues or conflicts that need clarification

Maintaining Site Safety + Code Compliance

• They are in charge of jobsite safety, protecting workers and visitors, and following local, state, and federal construction regulations

Coordinating Inspections

• Schedules required inspections with local authorities to confirm the work complies with building codes

Coordination With The Architect

• Communicates regularly with the Architect to resolve questions, review design details, discuss material substitutions. This includes coordinating RFIs, Submittals, and Pay Applications, ensuring the project remains aligned with the original vision

Consultant Responsibilities

Consultants are specialists brought onto the project to provide technical expertise beyond the Architect’s scope. While they may not be on-site every day, their work is critical to the success, safety, and performance of your building

Consultants Commonly Included

• Structural Engineer, Civil Engineer, Mechancial-Electrical-Plumbing Engineers, Sustainability consultants, Landscape Architects, and Interior Designers

Involvement During Construction

• Consultants may review shop drawings and submittals related to their discipline, respond to technical questions usually issued as RFIs from the contractor and coordinated by the Architect, visit the site to observe installations, and offer expertise on required or desired changes

Inspectors + Agencies Responsibilities

Every construction project must comply with local building codes and regulations. Inspectors and government agencies ensure that what’s built is safe, legal, and up to standard

Building Inspectors

• Review key stages of construction (like foundations, framing, insulation, and final finishes) to confirm the work meets local codes and approved plans

Fire Department Officials

• Inspect fire safety systems, including sprinklers, alarms, and emergency access

Planning and Zoning Departments

• Ensure the project complies with land use regulations, height limits, setbacks, and other site-specific rules

Health or Environmental Agencies

• May get involved when wells, septic systems, energy compliance, or special environmental considerations are part of the project

Final Inspections + Occupancy

Preparing for occupancy is your final step. This is when all the moving parts come together, finishing touches are completed, systems are tested, and official approvals are secured so you can begin using your space

Final inspections

• Performed by the local building department and other agencies to ensure everything is built to code and according to approved plans

Punch list walkthroughs

• Often led by the Architect, punch lists identify any remaining items to be corrected or completed by the Contractor

Close-out documents

• Documents such as warranties, manuals, and as-built drawings are collected and delivered to the Owner

Final Certificate of Occupancy

• “C of O” is issued by the building department, allowing you to legally occupy and use the space