ČKAIT wants a methodology that would reduce the number of low-quality constructions

Prague - In the Czech Republic, there is a lack of a simple methodology that would determine the project price under which the quality of the construction is already at risk. The number of low-quality buildings would thus be reduced. This was stated today at a press conference by Robert Špalek, Vice Chairman of the Czech Chamber of Authorized Engineers and Technicians Active in Construction (ČKAIT). According to the chamber, there have been several construction failures in the Czech Republic recently that occurred under the public procurement regime. For example, in January, the roof of a new sports hall collapsed in Česká Třebová.

"The responsible contracting authority is accountable for the quality of the buildings; in the case of public contracts, it is public administration. However, without a clear methodology, we are witnessing that the investor does not want to decide any differently than based on price. There are no tables for determining exceptionally low prices or usual prices," Špalek stated.

Investors spend a minimum of their expenses on project preparation for construction, according to Špalek, about four to eight percent of the project price. "However, the quality of the project has a significant impact on the overall future investment. We are talking about investment costs here, but the building also has operating costs later. It might last a hundred years, still based on the same project. So overall, the costs of project preparation really only make up a small fraction," he cautioned.

During the crisis, according to him, project work prices were around one percent of total costs. "That was absolutely beyond what could be done for them," he added.

According to the new law on public procurement, which has been in effect since October of last year, project work cannot be awarded exclusively based on the lowest price. However, this applies only to contracts over two million crowns. "For small-scale contracts, the criterion of minimum price is still applied. The problem is that there are a large number of small-scale contracts in the area of project work with public contracting authorities," Špalek noted.

According to Ladislav Bukovský, Chairman of the Prague ČKAIT region, another problem is that responsible persons often focus only on the legal aspect of the assignment and are unable to award contracts in a functional, durable, and economically reasonable manner. These individuals, he says, lack technical knowledge and experience and often do not even know basic professional terminology.

"When awarding through an architectural competition, the appearance of the building is often preferred over functional and technical properties. Often, a design that is excessively visually appealing wins, but is beyond the financial possibilities of the contracting authority. The result is then a non-functional and poorly maintained building," Bukovský added.