Technical supervision is a set of control measures carried out by qualified inspectors on a subscription basis. The goal is to ensure that the facility complies with the design and regulations, and that the cost, timeline, volumes and quality of work and materials remain under the client's control.
First Construction Company provides the full range of technical and designer supervision — for both our own and third-party projects.
Why technical supervision is needed
The quality of work, the products and materials used, and adherence to technology on construction sites often leave much to be desired. Violations made at any stage often become apparent only after the facility has been handed over. At best, the developer spends money and time eliminating defects; at worst, deviations from requirements cause accidents. Technical supervision is aimed at preventing such violations.
Technical supervision makes design, engineering, estimating and construction and installation works transparent, manageable and understandable for the client — from the start of design to the end of construction.
Technical and designer supervision: what is the difference
| Technical supervision | Designer supervision | |
|---|---|---|
| Who performs it | an engineer-inspector acting for the client | the author of the design |
| What it checks | quality of work and materials, volumes, deadlines, cost, adherence to technology | compliance of construction with the design solutions |
| Whose interests | the client and the investor | the design: so that the concept and calculations are not distorted on site |
On critical projects both types of supervision work together: designer supervision makes sure the contractor does not deviate from the design, while technical supervision looks after the quality, volumes and the client's money.
What the inspector controls
Quality and compliance with the design
- compliance with regulations, requirements and the technology of work;
- compliance of construction and installation works, materials, structures, products and equipment with the approved design solutions;
- rules for storing and stockpiling materials and equipment.
Money and documents
- correspondence of actual volumes to the estimated ones;
- verification of the estimate documentation;
- acceptance of work and signing of certificates, including certificates of hidden works.
Right of prohibition If materials are stored or stockpiled in violation of the rules, the technical supervision representative may prohibit their use on the site.
What checks are performed
- building axes and vertical levels;
- walls, partitions, brickwork;
- strength of structures using instruments;
- quality of earthworks and concrete works;
- installation of waterproofing;
- quality of carpentry work;
- correspondence of actual volumes to the estimate and verification of the estimate;
- other checks depending on the scope of the facility.
How we work
- Review of documentation The inspector studies the design, the estimate, the construction contract and the work schedule.
- Regular site visits Visits to the site according to an agreed schedule and at key stages: excavation, reinforcement, concreting, roofing, utility networks.
- Acceptance of hidden works Participation in drawing up certificates of hidden and special works. The next type of work does not start until the certificates are signed.
- Reports to the client Informing about deviations from the design, violations and defects, photo documentation, instructions to the contractor.
- Monitoring of rectification Assistance in eliminating violations and collecting all documentation drawn up during construction.
Attention Hidden works — reinforcement, waterproofing, embedded parts, insulation — can no longer be checked after concreting or cladding without opening up. This is where technical supervision brings the greatest benefit.
When to engage technical supervision
Ideally before work begins: the inspector will check the design and estimate and help formulate requirements for the contractor in the contract. You can engage supervision at any stage, but errors already covered with concrete or finishes are much harder and more expensive to detect and correct. If the facility has already been built, a survey is carried out with a report on its technical condition.
Claims against suppliers
If substandard materials, or equipment and products that do not comply with the design and regulatory documents, are delivered to the site, technical supervision takes part in preparing documents for filing claims against the supplier.
Responsibility
Supervision is part of construction management, so not only the contractor but also the technical supervision representatives are responsible for errors and decisions made on site. Given the volume of investment in any facility, the cost of such control is incomparably lower than the cost of correcting errors.
Technical supervision is especially useful for private house construction, when the client cannot visit the site personally, and on large industrial facilities with many contractors. The "Cost Estimating" service will help you check the estimate before work starts.
Need independent construction control? Tell us about the facility and the stage of work — we will propose a supervision format and a visit schedule.
Submit a request