Construction Claims: A Short Guide for Contractors

Book Synopsis: Is your client causing you additional costs? Learn how to effectively handle construction project variation claims in this easy to read book with no legal jargon. Essential reading for every successful construction project manager.

Have you had a legitimate construction variation claim rejected? In the course of most construction projects delays, variations and additional work occur, which give rise to variation claims. These variation claims can be between the owner or client and the contractor, or between the contractor and their subcontractors. Some construction project managers aren’t aware of what they are entitled to claim. Often contractors aren’t granted all the time, or money, that they are entitled to, and frequently many variation claims end in lengthy and expensive disputes where both parties end as losers. I’ve been involved with over 120 construction projects and only a few haven’t increased in value – with some almost doubling. Indeed, some construction variation claims have been worth millions of dollars. Many of my projects also suffered delays and I claimed extension of time – sometimes for several months. Fortunately, in nearly every case, these variation claims were resolved and approved amicably. In most cases we received close to the full value claimed or were granted the entire extension of time requested. Furthermore, mostly we remained on good terms with our client and went on to construct several more projects for them. This book uses these real-world examples to help with your construction variation, delay and disruption claims.

It’s important that contractors present their construction variation claims timeously and in a fashion that’s hard to refute. In this book I look at reasons for lodging a construction variation claims, delay claims and disruption claims, the supporting documentation required to substantiate the claim, what to include in the claim, negotiating the claim, and finally avoiding variation claims. Regrettably many construction project managers don’t understand their contractual rights and obligations. This easy to read book demystifies the construction project variation claims process, ensuring contractors are granted the extension of time and costs they’re entitled to. Also included are sections on avoiding variation claims from clients and subcontractors. Know your rights and obligations in terms of the project contract. Make sure that you submit winning construction variation claims. Ensure you claim all the time and costs due to you. Learn how to refute variation claims lodged against you.