If you're not sure, you're not alone. Here are just some of the questions Saleem Akram received this month
Q. We need advice on which contract to use for a large domestic construction project. The contract required is one simply between two parties with no professional engaged, so is Minor Works unsuitable? The size of the contract is about £200,000.

A. You have, in fact, a choice of four industry-standard contracts for undertaking domestic construction and home improvements.

First, there's the Joint Contracts Tribunal's Building Contract for a Homeowner/Occupier (1999), which deals directly with builders.

Second, there is a version of this contract for homeowners and occupiers using a consultant, such as an architect.

Both these contracts are available from Construction Books Direct on 01344 630810; alternatively fax 01344 630888 or email cbd@ciob.org.uk.

Third, the Federation of Master Builders produces a Plain English Domestic Building Contract for Minor Building Work (2000) up to £250,000. Call 020 7242 7583 or fax 020 7404 0296 for details.

Finally, the Architecture and Surveying Institute produces ASI Building Contract (2000 Edition). Call 01249 444505, fax 01249 443602 or email asi@asi.org.uk

The National Home Improvement Advisory Service also has two forms of contract for home improvements. For contracts not exceeding £10,000 or 28 days' duration, use the simple works contract; and for contracts exceeding £10,000 or 28 days' duration, use the major works contract. Download the contracts from www.nhias.org/Project_Advice/

Q. I would like to know how to work out the dead loadings of brickwork on steel or reinforced concrete or any other type of lintel. Could you please also recommend some good publications for design calculations and design graphs/charts.

A. There are several good structure design books which can help you. You may find useful the Reinforced Concrete Designer's Manual by Reynolds and Steedman. The latest edition is updated with all charts, graphs, calculations and so on in metric.

The same authors have also published two books that contain solved examples. The manual and solved example books are available from leading high-street bookshops.

For further information you may also like to view the relevant British Standards documentation, such as:

  • BS 5977: Part 1, Method of Assessment of Load
  • BS 6399: Part 1, Loading: Dead and Imposed Loads
  • BSI (1992) General Rules and Rules for Buildings ENV 1992-1-1: Design of Concrete Structures. British Standards Institution
  • BS 8110: 1985 Parts I and II, Structural Use of Concrete

Phone the BSI on 01442 230442, fax on 01442 231442, visit www.bsi-global.com or email info@bsi-global.com

Q. Does the CIOB produce guidelines for the general public on engaging a project manager/contracts administrator?

A. The Chartered Institute of Building published the first edition of Code of Practice for Project Management for Construction and Development in 1991 and the second edition in 1996.

The code of practice embodies the results of intensive joint consultation between the CIOB and representatives of the leading professional institutes and organisations involved with construction and development, including the BPF, RICS, RIBA, ICE, IStructE, CIBSE and APM.

Representatives from these institutes and organisations are currently revising the code of practice and a third edition is likely to be published in autumn 2002.

To order your copy, contact the CIOB's Construction Books Direct. Telephone 01344 630801/810, fax 01344 630888 or email cbd@ciob.org.uk

The CIOB is also preparing some guides including How to choose a Construction Team: A Client's Guide.

These guides will be provided free to CIOB members and you may wish to register for them on the CIOB's chartered building consultancy/company scheme website at www.cbcscheme.org.uk/home/howto.jsp

Q. We are about to enter into a contract with a consultant to oversee our gas servicing contracts and monitor our compliance with landlord's duties under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations.

Is the MF/1 General Conditions of Contracts available from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers the correct contract to use?

A. MF is a series of model contracts and commentaries on them published jointly by the IMechE and IEE. MF/1 is a general conditions of contract, mainly for the home or overseas contracts for supplying electrical, electronic or mechanical plant with erection. However, MF/2 provides a model form for home contracts with supervision for use where the supply contract is on the basis of general conditions.

I am not sure enough about your particular needs to suggest which is better for you. For more information, phone the Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers on 020 7636 6603 or email IMechE at ils@imeche.org.uk