By Patrick Hogan, handle.com
Changes happen in construction projects all the time. From the design process all the way through project completion, multiple updates and modifications will be made by various stakeholders.
These changes can be related to costs, timelines, and other aspects of construction. To prevent major delays and project issues, all changes must be properly accounted for. They also need to be approved and agreed upon by relevant parties, typically the contractor and the property owner.
Disputes arise when not all construction parties agree on the changes. When parties argue about who should be responsible for covering the additional costs incurred, payment issues and delays can happen, affecting not only the top-tier stakeholders but also subcontractors and material suppliers.
It is therefore imperative for construction projects to establish clear and robust change order processes. Below are some of the strategies that you can use to minimize, if not completely prevent, change order disputes from happening.
1. Ensure that project scopes are clearly defined in the contract
Preventing major disputes in a construction project begins by executing a solid contract. The contract that you sign must be as detailed as possible, and it should clearly outline the scope of the project and the parties responsible for all deliverables.
The contract should also include specific provisions for how change orders must be handled. This way, everyone would know how to deal with modifications to the original contract.
2. Establish communication lines as early as possible
Disputes often happen due to a breakdown in communication. When certain parties are left in the dark or when the stakeholders are not made aware of the changes in project scope, people could point fingers at each other to evade accountability, leading to possible delays in payment and project timelines.
To prevent expensive and unnecessary delays from occurring, you should establish communication lines with all relevant parties right from the get-go. Sending preliminary notices within the first week of the project is a good way to communicate to top-tier parties. You should also make sure to know who the contact persons are and to inform them when you issue change orders.
3. Understand the required change order process
One key to avoiding change order problems is nailing down a change order process. This process should be discussed before the contract is executed, and you and your clients should agree on the procedures related to issuing and closing change orders.
The process should also be discussed not only with your clients but also within your internal team. For example, when you see a reason to change the project scope, your team should know how to go about writing the change order proposal, who to approve it, who to send it to, and how to close it.
4. Act on change orders right away
Another important strategy is acting on the change orders as soon as possible. One of the most common mistakes that contractors and subcontractors make is not starting the change order process when they have a reason to make updates to the project scope. Procrastinating on your change orders will have serious repercussions and will likely cause problems.
Keep in mind that change orders need to be approved, and they come with associated costs. When you do not act on change orders right away, project timelines may get pushed during negotiations and issuing payments could get delayed.
5. Be specific in your change order documentation
It is important to be as detailed as you can when writing the change orders. Vague and ambiguous details might result in disputes, so you need to write in your change orders specific details and reasons for initiating the changes.
Some of the details that you can add to your change orders include specific updates to the project design. Mention the specific aspect of the design that needs to be updated. Also include blueprints and geotechnical drawings, if possible. If the changes are related to corrections in prices, make sure to include receipts and invoices so you can back up your change order proposal if you get questioned.
6. Keep your files organized
It goes without saying that your files and books must be organized at all times, especially when managing complex construction projects. Your invoices, change orders, payment slips, and everything else must be properly recorded and filed. Failing to organize your documents will likely result in problems, especially regarding change orders.
For example, if a client asks for further documentation on price changes of certain materials and you are not able to provide the correct invoices, your change order request could get rejected, causing you to shoulder the additional costs yourself. You are strongly encouraged to take advantage of available software tools to stay organized and to stay on top of all your projects.
Being prudent and organized goes a long way when running a construction business. The extra mile that you take to stay on top of everything will prove beneficial in keeping change order disputes to the minimum.
About the Author:
Patrick Hogan is the CEO of Handle.com, where they build software that helps contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers with late payments. Handle.com also provides funding for construction businesses in the form of invoice factoring, material supply trade credit, and mechanics lien purchasing.
