BUILDING, the art of erecting or building houses and other edifices, in which several distinct professions are usually and more immediately concerned. At the head of the building-trade is the architect, who is employed to draw plans and make out specifica tions of the work to be performed. The builder acts ministerially; his duty consists in carrying out the plans put into his hands, according to certain stipulated terms. The profession of the architect demands not only much imaginative power, but great artistic skill, along with a practical knowledge of details. Endeavoring to realize the wishes of his employer, the architect devises what shall be the external effect and interior accom modation of a building, and portrays the whole on paper with rigorous accuracy. Besides general designs to give an idea of the structure and its interior arrangements, he furnishes the working-plans or drawings, which are to guide the different mechanics—masons, joiners, etc.—in their several operations. These services of the architect, of course, involve much thought and labor, and he is therefore under the necessity of employing a staff of assistants, by whom the plans are executed under his orders. The making out of the specifications is a matter of careful study. To perform this part of his duty properly, the architect needs to be acquainted with the qualities of different kinds of materials; such as stone, lime, sand, bricks, wood, iron, etc. A knowledge of the strength of timber is particularly desirable. When the specifications are made out, they and the contract are subscribed by the builder. To insure as far as possible a faithful adherence to the specifications, the architect appoints a " clerk of works" to keep watch over the whole operations, and who is authorized to check any seeming fault. During the whole proceedings, the architect is paramount. For the due execution of his plans, lie feels that his professional reputation is at stake ; and, accordingly, having involved his responsibility, the employer cannot with propriety interfere to make alterations while the work is in progress. Such is the etiquette of the profession. Should alterations be desirable, they become matter for a fresh agreement among the parties. When the works are finished, the builder hands his account to the architect to be examined and checked. If satisfied of its correctness, lie grants a certificate of the fact, and this is the warrant for payment by the employer. The builder having been settled with, the employer now
pays the architect's fee, which closes the transaction. This fee may be one, two, or more per cent on the entire cost of the B., according to local usage or terms agreed on; what ever it is, it covers all charges for advice, plans, and other professional trouble.
Builders undertake work by "contract," or by "schedule of prices." If by contract, they engage to execute the whole works for a stipulated sum. If by schedule of prices, they agree to abide by the measurements of valuators appointed by the architect. These valuators go over the works when finished, and, taking an exact account of everything, compare it with the account rendered by the builder; the architect being the ultimate referee. It is exceedingly important, for the sake of an amicable adjustment of accounts, that the builder should adhere scrupulously to the letter of the specifications—i.e., the covenant under which he has become bound. He can justify no departure from the specifications, on the plea that something as good has been given or done, or that he was not checked at the time by the clerk of works.. Being explicitly a person employed to do a certain piece of work, in a certain way, he is in no respect entitled to substitute his own notions for those of his employers.
It may happen that a proprietor acts as his own architect, and employs a builder to execute his designs, on the understanding that he is to pay for everything according to a schedule of prices. In many instances, the builder is proprietor as well as architect, and merely carries out his own plans. Such is generally the case in the neighborhood of London, where builders speculate in leasing land and erecting rows of dwellings for sale. This plan is greatly facilitated by the opportunity of buying every article required in house-building ready for use, such as bricks, door-steps, hearthstones, joists, flooring, doors. windows, marble mantel-pieces, slates, etc. In fact, house-building in the metro politan district IS very much reduced to it syistem of purchasing and putting together certain articles from manufactories and depots. For this kind of business, there may lie said to be establishments for the sale of doors and windows, as there are shops for the sale of nails, locks, and hinges.