Jacob discusses the topic of delays in construction projects. He emphasises the importance of issuing notices to alert others of potential delays and suggests having a conversation with the relevant parties before sending the notice. Jacob highlights the need for clear records and documentation to substantiate delays and advises subcontractors to request extensions of time retrospectively, providing all relevant information and evidence. He also touches on different methods of delay analysis and hints at future episodes that will delve deeper into the subject.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Issuing notices and having open communication with the contractor is crucial when dealing with delays on a construction site. It helps to avoid misunderstandings and potential conflicts.
Keeping detailed records of delays is essential. This includes taking photographs, maintaining a site manager's diary, and documenting any contemporary records that can substantiate the delay at a later date.
Requesting an extension of time is a retrospective tool that subcontractors can use to inform the contractor about the amount of time lost due to delays. It is important to provide clear and factual information, including start and finish dates, relevant subcontract events, and any supporting documentation.
While there are various methods for assessing delays, such as as-planned versus as-built and impacted as-planned, it is not always necessary to use complex program analysis. In many cases, the contractor should have enough information to determine an extension of time without relying on these methods.
It is crucial to understand the relevant subcontract events and matters when requesting an extension of time. Subcontractors should refer to their subcontract and clearly note the events and matters that caused the delay. Additionally, documenting loss and expense may require further discussion and analysis, which can be addressed in a separate episode or discussion.
BEST MOMENTS
"And part of the thrust of what I was getting at when we're speaking about notices is that they are there to give somebody notice of something."
"You want to think about how you're delivering your notice and a meeting or certainly a phone call, jumping on Teams, Zoom, whatever, having a conversation about it before it lands in somebody's inbox or in somebody's pigeonhole can avoid some of the heartache."
"You're doing this to bring things to people's attention before it becomes a big issue, it spirals out of control and it causes a huge delay to a job."
"It's about the records. More than anything else, it's about the records. What day did you start? What day did you get access to each little section?"
"And if you can do this, it makes it really easy. You've demonstrated the start, you've demonstrated the end. There's no even opportunity to argue."
HOST BIO
Meet Jacob Austin, a Chartered Quantity Surveyor with a rich background at industry giants Balfour Beatty, Kier, and Vistry Group. With extensive involvement in education, health, and residential projects spanning various scales, from £1000s to £100M, Jacob brings a unique perspective. Having collaborated with numerous small businesses, he's now committed to sharing his expertise to drive their success. Join Jacob on his podcast, where he blends his profound insights and personable approach to offer guidance, industry secrets, and inspirational stories.
LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-austin/
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