Employer’s Agent vs Clerk of Works vs QA manager: who does what?

On UK projects, three roles often get confused: the Employer’s Agent, the Clerk of Works and the QA manager. They overlap, but they work for different people and do different jobs. Knowing the difference helps clients and contractors get the right cover without paying twice.

Employer’s Agent

• Works for: the client (employer), usually on Design and Build contracts such as JCT Design and Build
• Main job: administering the contract on the client’s behalf: payments, variations, notices, programme and completion
• Quality role: monitors that the contractor is meeting the Employer’s Requirements, but is not usually on site daily to inspect workmanship in detail
• Typical background: quantity surveyor, project manager or building surveyor

Clerk of Works

• Works for: the client, architect or contract administrator
• Main job: independent inspection of workmanship and materials against drawings and specification
• Quality role: checks work at hold points before it’s covered up, and records and reports what was found
• Does not: instruct the contractor or agree variations; issues go through the contract administrator or Employer’s Agent
• More detail: What does a Clerk of Works do?

QA manager

• Works for: usually the contractor or subcontractor
• Main job: running the contractor’s quality system: ITPs, inspections, NCRs, records and handover information
• Quality role: makes sure work is right first time, and that the evidence exists for the client, payment and Gateway 3

How they work together

• The Employer’s Agent relies on inspection evidence to agree payments and completion
• The Clerk of Works provides independent eyes on site for the client
• The QA manager produces the contractor’s records that both of them review

Good QA records make every role easier: payment applications are backed by evidence, inspections are quicker, and handover isn’t held up by missing information.

Do you need all three?

Not always. On many projects:

• Clients appoint an Employer’s Agent and add call-out Clerk of Works inspections at key hold points
• Contractors and subcontractors outsource QA: records set up once, inspections on call, a report monthly or on request

That gives each party the evidence they need without a full-time salary for every role.

Need fire stopping and QA evidence you can rely on? We set up your records, inspect at hold points anywhere in the UK and report monthly or on request. See sample reports or book a visit.