ARTICLES

Taking Over or Completion CertificateFundamentals The most important part of a project is Handing over the Works to the Client			Hudson Formula and Extension of Time Claims The payment of additional monies in respect of Head Office overheads and profit
Once ready for hand over the Site Manager should submit his notice in writing to the Engineer with a copy to the Employer. The Engineer must issue a Taking Over Certificate if... | more			is the subject of much debate and discussion. The Hudson's formula is generally accepted as a recognised method for calculating the additional cost payable for head office overheads... | more
PC Sums and Provisional Sums Clarified In Construction the term PC sum is often confused with Provisional Sum. Whilst both terms are			Tracking delay events: Tracking and keeping your contractual notices valid, that is submitted every 28days
associated to allowances being made for a specific activity or item, there are distinct differences in these two terms. PC Sums are normally associated with an average cost of a specific item whereas Provisional Sums are estimated allowances... | more			can become quite a tricky task if many events at various times are registered. A valid notice shall be in writing on a company letterhead addressed to the Engineer with a copy to the Employer... | more
Labour Costing Labour productivity is fundamental to the success of any Construction project. Completing this exercise			Pricing Preliminaries Preliminaries and General by virtue of its scope and broad definition can easily contribute or result in
on a daily basis will be extremely helpful in managing the project delivery and will also provide a good understanding where losses are incurred. This could identify opportunities to recover expenses in a variation claim... | more			huge losses if not correctly understood or determined at the tender stage. Pricing of preliminaries starts with your site establishment, methodology of construction, access restrictions and programme requirements... | more

Pricing Concrete Formwork and Reinforcing Pricing these rates can be a complicated exercise.			Dayworks in the Construction Industry Daywork is work for which the contractor is paid on the basis of actual Cost plus an agreed %
However, by using a well designed template for this purpose will not only ensure correct calculation but also clarify the method of construction and restrictions to be considered...| more			Dayworks are bound to come up from time to time since it is impossible working from a Bill of Quantities to cover all eventualities. There two options how Daywork rates can be priced in the bill...| more
Prolongation Cost Claims - An eye for detail The strength of any claim lies in the attention to the detailed substantion.			Causes of Lost Productivity A loss of productivity can be successfully demonstrated and claimed if the causes are clearly identified.
Once a Contractor has secured an extension of time and relief from liquidated damages, thoughts will quickly turn to recovery of the costs incurred due to the delayed completion date...| more			It is acknowledged within the construction industry that demonstrating a loss of productivity on a project is one of the most difficult heads of claim to properly articulate...| more
Demonstrating a Loss of Productivity Claim There are many issues affecting productivity that are potentially outside the control of the contractor.			Importance of Good Record Keeping The conclusion has to be that any case is only as good as the evidence in support of it.
There are two industry recognised techniques for demonstrating, to varying degrees, loss of productivity, these being the total cost and theproductivity baseline methods, both of ...| more			It is however one thing for a Contractor to demonstrate that a failing of some sort on the part of the Employer has directly caused it to suffer a loss but quite another thing to prove...| more

Supervision of the Works Guideline According to FIDIC a Contractor shall give or provide all necessary supevision during the execution of the Works.			Programme for the Works Guideline The establishment and continual monitoring of a detailed, critical path method programme is essential for the...
In addition to the constant management and supervision of the Works, all significant types of works must also be under the close control of competent trade supervisors...| more			management of the Project.This will include a detailed Critical Path Method programme establishing key milestones and completion dates for the various sections of the Contractl...| more
Clause 14 Programme Guideline The Contractor is bound by the FIDIC Contract to submit the Clause 14 programme within 28 calendar days after...			Monthly Progress Reports FIDIC requires that the Contractor submit monthly updates of the Programme demonstrating progress to date.
This programme must cover all aspects of the design, approval, procurement, construction, installation, removal and commissioning of the temporary and permanent works...| more			The Contractor is generally required to attend monthly Progress Meetings with the Engineer to report the progress of the design, procurement and construction works...| more
Extension of Time Claims Claims and Delays are commonly associated with construction and its related activities.			Method Statements Guideline Method Statements describes how the Works are to be designed, procured and constructed
Most contractors are not legal experts and find themselves all too often in a situation where a delay has occurred whereby they did not have the necessary paperwork or records in place to make such a recovery ...| more			In addition to the above all hazardous work activities should be described by the issue of Detail Method Statement. As a general guideline each Method Statement should be structured and prepared in the following format...| more

Project Specific Health and Safety Plan Guideline Contractor increasingly required to demonstrate a positive attitude towards Health and Safety...			Variations or Extra Work Contractors are entitled to be paid for extra work required during the execution of the Contract
through the implementation of a preventive management style.The Health and Safety Plan should detail the following items and provisions to be implemented...| more			It has long been my view that the full cost of variations are generally not recovered by Contractors. When there is doubt as to whether an item is an extra or not...| more
Format of Operation and Maintenance Manuals The preparation and presentation of a well-prepared O&M manual is therefore an essential part...			Business Letter Writing Fundamentals The key to Good communication starts with Letter Etiquette.
of any building services installation contract. The final format of any O & M manual will be influenced by a number of factors. Generally the format of an Operating and Maintenance manual must be..| more			A good letter becomes a key element of your overall branding and market image. Learn more on how to create and maintain good construction letter writing principles...| more
Application for Final Certificate At the end of the Defects Liability Period you can apply for the Final Certificate..			Monthly Cost Reporting Concept Costs must always match the revenue that is being claimed...
In order for the Engineer to issue the Final Certificate the Contract requires that he has in possession or have received the following documents, certificates, material or clearances...| more			The document is divided into two main sections, namely, VALUE and COST, which enables the Quantity Surveyor to show the measured value to date ...| more

Schedule of Area Measurement Formulae Basic list of the most common area and perimeter formulas used in Construction...
The list includes all common 2 dimensional shapes or plane figures detailing both the perimeter formula and area formula respectively...| more
Schedule of Volume Measurement Formulae Basic list of the most common volume formulas used in Construction...
The list includes all common 3 dimensional shapes or solid figures detailing both the volume formula and surface area formula respectively...| more
Change Management Schedule Benefits and uses It is inevitable that a Contractor have to accommodate changes...
The introduction of a change management schedule should not be seen as a “finger pointing” exercise. Its purpose is merely to manage a large...| more