A Collateral Warranty is a form of contract that runs alongside, and is usually supplemental to, another contract. Essentially in the building industry collateral warranties are used to provide a guarantee against defect between an architect and a client usually for a fixed period after construction has ceased. A contract is a promise or an agreement that is enforced or recognized by the law. ... Architect at his drawing board, 1893 An architect is a person involved in the planning, designing and oversight of a buildings construction. ... The term client may have the following meanings. ...