Exploring the Construction Team: Client, Contractor, and Statutory Roles

Building Construction SS1 First Term Lesson Note for Week 5

Subject: Building Construction
Class: SS1
Term: First Term
Week: 5
Age: 15–16 years
Topic: Construction Team
Sub-topic: Client Team, Contractor’s Team, and Statutory Personnel

Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioral Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:

1. Outline and identify the parties in a construction team.
2. Describe the duties and relationships of the various teams in a construction project.
3. Distinguish the roles and relationships between the members of each team.

Keywords

• Client team
• Contractor’s team
• Statutory personnel
• Construction project
• Roles and relationships

Set Induction

Begin the lesson by asking students to think about a building project they’ve seen and discuss who they think is responsible for planning, building, and overseeing safety.

Entry Behavior

Students are familiar with different types of teams in sports and class activities, which will help them understand teamwork in construction.

Learning Resources and Materials

• Diagrams of construction site teams
• Visual aids showing different roles on a construction project

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge

Students understand basic teamwork principles and can relate them to a construction team where multiple parties work together.

Embedded Core Skills

• Collaboration
• Critical thinking
• Role identification

Learning Materials

• Lagos State Scheme of Work for Building Construction
• Basic Building Construction textbook

Instructional Materials

• Whiteboard
• Posters or illustrations of construction teams
• Flowcharts of construction team structures

Content

1. Client Team

• The client team initiates the project. Key members include:
  • Client (Owner): Provides funds and objectives for the project.
  • Architect: Creates the building design and technical drawings.
  • Consultants: Offer expert advice on specialized areas, like structural safety or materials.

2. Contractor’s Team

• This team carries out the construction work as per the client’s specifications. Key members include:
  • Contractor: Responsible for organizing the construction process.
  • Project Manager: Oversees daily operations and ensures the project stays on schedule and budget.
  • Site Engineer: Supervises construction work, ensuring quality and safety.
  • Supervisors and Laborers: Execute the physical construction tasks under guidance.

3. Statutory Personnel

• Statutory personnel ensure compliance with government regulations and standards. Key roles include:
  • Inspectors: Visit the construction site to verify adherence to safety codes and environmental laws.
  • Zoning Officers: Ensure that the project aligns with local zoning laws and land use regulations.

Presentation Steps

Step 1: Introduce the Concept of a Construction Team

• Teacher’s Activity: Discuss how a construction project requires different professionals working together.
• Learners’ Activity: Share examples of teamwork from daily life that can relate to construction.

Step 2: Explain the Roles within the Client Team

• Teacher’s Activity: Explain the client’s role and the importance of architects and consultants in planning.
• Learners’ Activity: Note down the main responsibilities of each client team member.

Step 3: Describe the Contractor’s Team and Its Functions

• Teacher’s Activity: Describe the responsibilities of the contractor, project manager, and site engineer.
• Learners’ Activity: Write down each contractor team member’s duties and discuss how they work together.

Step 4: Discuss Statutory Personnel and Their Role in Compliance

• Teacher’s Activity: Explain the purpose of statutory personnel and how they help ensure construction safety.
• Learners’ Activity: Discuss why regulatory compliance is critical in construction.

Step 5: Compare and Contrast the Teams

• Teacher’s Activity: Compare the responsibilities of the client, contractor, and statutory teams.
• Learners’ Activity: Identify the relationships and differences between the teams and how they ensure a project’s success.

Objective Questions (15 Fill-in-the-Blank Questions)

1. The person who initiates and funds the construction project is the _____.
   • a) architect
   • b) contractor
   • c) client
   • d) laborer
2. The role of designing a building is typically performed by a(n) _____.
   • a) client
   • b) consultant
   • c) architect
   • d) inspector
3. Consultants offer _____ on specialized areas of a construction project.
   • a) design
   • b) funding
   • c) advice
   • d) inspection
4. The _____ team is responsible for executing the physical construction tasks.
   • a) statutory
   • b) contractor
   • c) client
   • d) regulatory
5. The person who ensures that the project is completed on time and within budget is the _____.
   • a) architect
   • b) project manager
   • c) client
   • d) zoning officer
6. Inspectors are part of the _____ personnel.
   • a) statutory
   • b) client
   • c) contractor
   • d) consultant
7. A _____ ensures that construction work complies with zoning regulations.
   • a) supervisor
   • b) zoning officer
   • c) laborer
   • d) architect
8. The project manager works under the _____ to complete the project.
   • a) client
   • b) inspector
   • c) architect
   • d) consultant
9. The _____ checks for compliance with environmental laws.
   • a) architect
   • b) inspector
   • c) contractor
   • d) laborer
10. _____ team members do the manual work in construction.
    • a) Client
    • b) Consultant
    • c) Laborers
    • d) Inspectors
11. The _____ advises on specific aspects of construction, like structural safety.
    • a) supervisor
    • b) inspector
    • c) consultant
    • d) project manager
12. The _____ approves the final designs for the building.
    • a) project manager
    • b) inspector
    • c) client
    • d) contractor
13. The team that follows the design given by the client team is the _____ team.
    • a) client
    • b) statutory
    • c) contractor
    • d) supervisory
14. A _____ works to enforce legal requirements on the construction site.
    • a) laborer
    • b) statutory officer
    • c) architect
    • d) contractor
15. Statutory personnel include _____ who ensure public safety.
    • a) inspectors
    • b) architects
    • c) clients
    • d) consultants

Class Activity Discussion (15 FAQs)

1. What is the client’s role in a construction project?
   The client funds and approves project plans.
2. Who designs the building?
   The architect is responsible for creating building designs.
3. What does a consultant do in construction?
   They provide expert advice on specific technical areas.
4. Who ensures construction standards are met?
   Statutory personnel, including inspectors, enforce construction standards.
5. What is the main role of the contractor?
   To carry out the construction work based on client specifications.
6. Why is the project manager important?
   The project manager keeps the project on schedule and within budget.
7. What does a site engineer do?
   Supervises daily construction to ensure quality and safety.
8. Who are statutory personnel?
   Government representatives who ensure compliance with laws and standards.
9. What is the contractor’s responsibility?
   Organizing and executing the construction work.
10. How do inspectors contribute to safety?
    By ensuring the work meets safety and legal standards.
11. Who approves the final building design?
    The client approves the architect’s design.
12. What are zoning laws?
    Regulations determining land use for specific areas.
13. Who enforces zoning laws?
    Zoning officers ensure compliance with local land use rules.
14. Why do laborers matter in construction?
    They perform essential physical tasks to build the project.
15. How do the client and contractor teams work together?
    The client sets goals, and the contractor team works to meet them.

Evaluation Questions

1. Define the client team in construction.
2. What are the primary duties of a contractor?
3. Explain the purpose of statutory personnel.
4. List three members of the contractor’s team and their roles.
5. Why are zoning officers important?
6. How does an architect support the client team?
7. Describe the role of the project manager.
8. What is the main duty of inspectors on-site?
9. Identify two key functions of consultants.
10. Why is teamwork essential in construction?

Conclusion

Review the key points of each team’s role in construction, emphasizing collaboration and the importance of safety and regulation compliance.