Bill raises expert costs in building sector

• A Bill to review the Architects and Quantity Surveyors Act seeks to recognise construction project managers, environmental designers, landscapers and interior designers as mandatory service providers.
• The current law only recognises architects, engineers and quantity surveyors as primary service providers with the contractors having a leeway to sub-contract the secondary tier professionals. If enacted, property developers would pay more professional fees to engage the services of multiple experts in the building sector.
• Quantity surveyors estimate that professional fees to cater for services such as conveyance, land change of user, environmental impact assessment, design and consultancy works account for up to 15 per cent of the total project cost.
• Experts in the built environment say the proposals would minimise infiltration of the industry by quacks that has been blamed for the collapse of more than 50 buildings and loss of about 40 lives in the past decade in Kenya.
• The Bill is currently awaiting Cabinet approval to be submitted to Parliament for debate and enactment. The Act was last revised in 1948.

The cost of professional services in the building and construction industry could escalate under a proposed law seeking to add to the list of consultants needed for projects.

A Bill to review the Architects and Quantity Surveyors Act seeks to recognise construction project managers, environmental designers, landscapers and interior designers as mandatory service providers.

The current law only recognises architects, engineers and quantity surveyors as primary service providers with the contractors having a leeway to sub-contract the secondary tier professionals.

If enacted, property developers would pay more professional fees to engage the services of multiple experts in the building sector.

“The number of services traditionally offered by architects, who were regarded as overall project supervisors, has been reduced,” said Prof Alfred Omenya, the School of Built Environment dean at the Kenya Polytechnic University College.

He said the broad recognition would enhance professionalism in the building sector.

Prof Omenya was speaking at the launch of BUILDesign, a bi-monthly magazine that addresses construction issues.

Architectural Association of Kenya chairman Steven Oundo said the review would reduce the role of architects as a ‘master builder,’ and give specialised tasks to other parties.

Quantity surveyors estimate that professional fees to cater for services such as conveyance, land change of user, environmental impact assessment, design and consultancy works account for up to 15 per cent of the total project cost.

The Bill also empowers the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors to monitor building projects and enforce standards in the industry, widening its mandate to include regulation.

Experts in the built environment say the proposals would minimise infiltration of the industry by quacks that has been blamed for the collapse of more than 50 buildings and loss of about 40 lives in the past decade in Kenya.

“The cost of engaging professional services is very sustainable in the long term as it improves the quality of construction works,” said AAK secretary Mairura Omwenga.

The Architects and Quantity Surveyors Bill also provides guidelines on the fees to be charged by the professionals. The architects’ fees would be reduced from six to five per cent because of their reduced role.

The Bill is currently awaiting Cabinet approval to be submitted to Parliament for debate and enactment. The Act was last revised in 1948.

The National Construction Authority was set up in July with powers to register and award certificates of proficiency to contractors, skilled construction workers and site supervisors.