The Welsh assembly this week agreed a £48m fixed-price contract to build its chamber in an attempt to avoid the difficulties that have beset its Scottish counterpart.
Taylor Woodrow will start building the Rogers-designed "glasshouse" on the banks of Cardiff Bay in August. It is due to be handed over in September 2005.

After a private briefing on the contract a leading Welsh assembly member said: "The cost includes everything except IT, moveable furniture, and any changes we decide on later. As a result of the negotiations, the contractors will cover all risks, except acts of God.

We do not expect to suffer from the problems plaguing Scotland, either on cost or timings, because everything is covered in this contract, and there will be no problems such as one contract having to wait while another is completed."

It was originally intended that the assembly's all-glass building would be built for £12m – the price agreed when Lord Rogers won the design competition. He was sacked as architect when the cost passed £27m, although he has since come back on board as consultant to the contractor.

  • Consultant Claruspcm has taken over from Citex as QS on the £104.2m Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff, which is due to open next year.