In a perfect world, every construction job runs smoothly; there are never delays, everything is done in sequence and contractors make the profit, or better their estimates. Unfortunately construction projects are rarely perfect. Material shipments are late, incomplete or just plain wrong. Other trades can fall behind in their work, causing delays for the crew. Schedules can be broken and even the weather can affect the project. All these situations can lead to claims, which put undue stress on the project and the team. The key to success in a claim situation is effective documentation that begins when the project starts, and provides access to data gathered during the project’s entire lifecycle. Utilizing best practices and strategic project management in conjunction with these technologies can help a contractor stack the odds of successfully defending against a claim in their favor. Here’s what you need to know.
There are a lot of reasons why contractors don’t seem to worry about the claims process. Some of the most often cited are: