Project Administration and Management (Depth)
Concepts
Contract types (lump sum, unit price, cost-plus, GMP), delivery methods (DBB, DB, CMAR), bidding and award, bonds (bid, performance, payment), insurance, submittals, RFIs, change orders, claims, delay analysis, liquidated damages, retainage, closeout, and document control. Know the difference between excusable, compensable, and concurrent delay, and the notice requirements in the contract.
Traps
Oral directives do not replace written change orders; notice deadlines are enforced. Differing site conditions are not the same as design errors. Acceleration is not always compensable. A no-damage-for-delay clause may bar delay damages. Pay-when-paid differs from pay-if-paid. Substantial completion triggers different obligations than final completion.
Worked example
A contract has a $2,000/day liquidated damages clause. The project is 15 days late, but 5 days were caused by an owner-directed change and are excusable and compensable. Assessable delay = 10 days, so LD = 10 × $2,000 = $20,000; the contractor may also recover the 5-day extension and associated cost. Always separate time from money.
Rule of thumb
Submit notice within the contract period (often 7–14 days) and document daily. A delay is on the critical path only if it actually extends completion; concurrent delays generally do not extend time or support damages.