Off topic title - CoW

Thread Starter

MaxHeadRoom

Joined Jul 18, 2013
28,576
In the UK there is a title given to someone who is employed either by the Architect or the person commissioning the building called Clerk of the Works (CoW).
His job is to oversee the construction of a building etc and ensure that All the trades involved perform according to the plans or blueprints provided and conform to all codes etc.
What is the N.A. equivalent of this title?
Max.
 

loosewire

Joined Apr 25, 2008
1,686
In the U.S. ,you have to secure a loan before you build if you don't have cash.

Once you sign on with contractor you are in for a long wait before your project

is ever completed.Contracts have many clauses to extend work. Section by

section they collect there funds from the bank,that locks you in to delays.

They collect for slab,walls,roof,all the big money things first.
 

Thread Starter

MaxHeadRoom

Joined Jul 18, 2013
28,576
In the case of the UK version, he is there only to see that the architectural drawings and local bylaws etc are conformed to by all trades.
He has no influence on hiring
I had an interesting run-in with one once.
Max.
 

cmartinez

Joined Jan 17, 2007
8,212
Down here, they're called Supervisors... and their job is to stare idiotically while other people perform their duties, and then to get in the way of things if he ever gets bored
 

GopherT

Joined Nov 23, 2012
8,009
The term "General Contractor" or, for government projects, the term "Prime Contractor" are typically the firm that organizes all other trades - manages the project, schedules each trade, confirms one step is done, inspected, approved before moving into the next.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_contractor
Also, if he is only there to inspect and check for quality and compliance, the US uses a public official, "building inspector" to insure the structure meets safety and codes. The building inspector has no say in quality of workmanship (in most cases).
 

Thread Starter

MaxHeadRoom

Joined Jul 18, 2013
28,576
Often in the UK people pick up old houses (e.g. circa 1700/1800) etc and have a desire to bring them up to modern standard but retain as much as possible of the old features and appearance, if they have the cash they employ an architect and a CoW to oversee it.
The experience I had early on in my career was with one CoW was that we had to install some electrical wiring in one such building, we prided our selves on being to lift floor boards with very little trace, even T&G type.
The old houses often had oak roof trusses and floor joists and hand forged nails were often used to nail floor boards which made it very tricky to lift intact.
In spite of the above we lifted the necessary boards, but the CoW was not happy because of the 'bruising' on the side of the 200yr old boards which would show when relaid.
He instructed us to get the carpenter to do the necessary board removal.
We complied by marking all the boards we needed taken up.
We arrived next morning to a pile of tinder and an apology from the CoW.:cool:
Max.
 

BR-549

Joined Sep 22, 2013
4,928
Max, down here when you want to build something you have to apply for a permit.

Then, if what you want to build is in the right area, and the construction plans meet the requirements, they will grant you a permit.

During and after your building, the city, or county, or state, or federal inspector will sign off.....then you can use your building.

Code or permit inspector is the term here.
 

Thread Starter

MaxHeadRoom

Joined Jul 18, 2013
28,576
During and after your building, the city, or county, or state, or federal inspector will sign off.....then you can use your building.

Code or permit inspector is the term here.
But this is someone who is on site while the building or construction is being carried out, this is to prevent a bad practice or errors before they occur, also he is employed directly or in-directly by the owner, as opposed to local govt inspectors, which are paid by local govt.
Max .
 

mcgyvr

Joined Oct 15, 2009
5,394
General contractor is the one that oversees all the other tradesmen.. The Architect relies on him to ensure everything is done to the drawings..

The building inspector is the guy that comes out from the city building department,etc.. and inspects to ensure the codes are being met.
They typically come out multiple times during construction at various phases to ensure everything meets code..
You basically get to a point then call the building inspector to come out.. He/She ok's the work and you then start on the next phase or fix any issues brought up then call them in again..
Depending on the building you may also have a fire marshal, electrical inspector, state health care inspector,etc...

In general a "code inspector" here may be referred to as the AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction)
 

wayneh

Joined Sep 9, 2010
17,495
That's pretty much the way it is up here in Illinois also. I'll add that for single-family homes, the general contractor is often the "developer" as well, the guy with the financial stake. He bought vacant property, improved it as needed (water, sewer, electrical, gas, roads), and keeps himself busy for a few years building out the lots and selling the homes. He knows all the subcontractors - the drywall guys, the foundation pouring company, painters, plumbers and on and on.
 
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