If you’re a developer with a finite amount of funding then one main priority will be to minimise variations, or at the very least ensure you’re aware of the potential for variations before they occur and that you have made adequate allowance for them through contingency. The Oxford dictionary defines a variation as: “Something which… Continue reading Minimising Variations
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Payment Mechanisms – What are your legal requirements as a client or developer?
Payment in the construction industry is always a hot topic. The government’s recent drive to restrict bidders for government contracts based on their payment practices is very telling. This, coupled with the fact that some major contractors been recently been placed into administration by their financiers, goes to show that whilst revenue is important, as… Continue reading Payment Mechanisms – What are your legal requirements as a client or developer?
Development Briefs
The development management process for pre-construction can be broken down into five different phases, from an initial concept all the way through to full planning permission. A development brief is required for the early pre-construction phases as the development evolves through these stages. If you have already produced and approved a ‘statement of need,’ which… Continue reading Development Briefs
Cost Planning in Construction
Cost Plans – why are they needed? As a developer, you have criteria that inform what you want your project to deliver. These are called Employer’s requirements and outline the performance specification, which is used to inform the supply chain that any design or product must deliver on the stated outcomes. If you engage with… Continue reading Cost Planning in Construction
Contractor Insolvency – What do you do when it affects your project?
What is the difference between liquidation, administration and insolvency? Issues regarding liquidity are sadly commonplace in the construction industry for companies of all sizes. Small margins and drawn out payment processes can put a real strain on a company’s cashflow. If projects do not proceed as intended, disputes over variations and delays can also lead… Continue reading Contractor Insolvency – What do you do when it affects your project?
Risk Management in Construction
Why is risk management important? If a project is at the very earliest stage of inception, there will likely be a high amount of uncertainty compared to when the project is close to completion. It’s good project management to acknowledge these risks and proactively manage them. This starts by identifying the key metrics that signal… Continue reading Risk Management in Construction
Delay Analysis
We put forward the following scenario to Jason Farnell, Adjudicator and CEDR Accredited Mediator: “We’re a Property Developer who typically acts as a Main Contractor on projects. During a recent project we experienced programme issues relating to the design team and suffered delays that extended the overall programme. At the outset of the project we formulated… Continue reading Delay Analysis
RFIs and Design Management
We put forward the following scenario to Jason Farnell, Adjudicator and CEDR Accredited Mediator: “I’m a Property Developer who typically acts as a Main Contractor on projects. I’m interested in understanding more about how the Design Management process is best managed – with a particular emphasis on RFI’s. We often use the Traditional Procurement Route by… Continue reading RFIs and Design Management
Joint Venture Property Development
What is joint venture property development? According to the Oxford dictionary, a joint venture is “a commercial enterprise undertaken jointly by two or more parties which otherwise retain their distinct identities.” In property development this extends to an arrangement between two or more partners working together to achieve a clear set of objectives. As property… Continue reading Joint Venture Property Development
Prime Cost Sums
During preparation of the design, the developer, usually via a directly commissioned Architect, will seek specialist advice about certain types of finish to a building, for example a certain type of cladding. The design and specification for the project may then be predicated on the use of this type of cladding. For the use of… Continue reading Prime Cost Sums