Conclusion

In conclusion, this study examines and clarifies the contractor/client responsibilities and processes during late stage alterations. It focusses on economic, legal and practical liabilities resulting from poor communication between client, contractor and subcontractor. The importance of contract clarification, supplier capabilities and system discrepancies have been highlighted.

The complexities of verifying specifications and aligning updated information across all parties involved further demonstrates the sensitivity of the timeline of a project with regards to the scale of a problem. However, the time taken to gather the relevant information can sometimes outweigh material and labour costs or even create further delays in approving deviations from the original ‘Employer’s Requirements’.

The more developed these requirements are upon the project’s inception, the more accurate the tender value can be estimated and the more precise the drawings can be. On the other hand, an over scrutinised “Employers Requirements” document could lead to a limited vision.

This also illustrates how claims and issues can be averted through sufficient preparation and notification, updated construction programmes and concise contracts. Maintaining a strong link between both parties via the appointed employer’s agent is crucial in receiving consistent updates. The time that information is provided and the regularity of updates, by all parties, have a significant effect on the synchronicity of individual outcomes to better the project.

Fig.10 Team communication