Contract Administration and Project Management
Contract Administration and Project Management
A roofing contractor manages scope, time, money, and documentation. The contract should define scope, price, payment terms, schedule, warranty, and change-order procedure. Florida law and good practice both favor written change orders. An oral directive to add decking, change underlayment, or repair flashing is a collection dispute waiting to happen. Confirm any field change in writing the same day, with price and schedule impact.
Know the project-management paper trail: submittals, requests for information (RFIs), shop drawings, daily reports, pay applications, lien waivers, and closeout documents. A pay application is not just a bill. It should match completed work and be supported by progress photos and approved change orders. Retainage is money withheld until completion; track it separately so it is not mistaken for profit.
Scheduling traps are common. Weather delays, material lead times, and access delays must be documented contemporaneously. "Pay-when-paid" and "pay-if-paid" clauses are not identical; read them carefully.
Closeout includes punch-list completion, final inspection, warranty documents, and manufacturer certifications. A missing closeout package can delay final payment.
Worked example: The owner verbally asks for $1,800 of added sheathing. Rule of thumb: issue a written change order before installing, or at minimum a signed field directive with photos. If you wait until the final invoice, the owner may dispute the charge and your evidence is weak.