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Contracts Management |
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In any construction activity, there is
always a contract between the Client and the Contractor and
between the Contractor and the Sub-Contractors. The Contract
specifies the obligations of each respective parties towards
the completion of the project. For example, the project must
be completed within a certain period of time for a certain sum
of money. This "period of time" forms part of the contract.
The other parts of the contract are basically the Construction
Drawings, Specifications and Conditions of
Contract. |
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In Construction
Management I mentioned that an engineer's career
is not "complete" if he has not exposed himself to
work for or become a Contractor for a few years. I would also
like to add that he should also complement his experience with
knowledge of contracts
in the
sense that he should be aware of the Conditions of
Contract. This knowledge is very important to protect the
interest of his employer. |
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Replacement of unsuitable material
for a Culvert's foundation |
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Pile Cap for Sg.Beris bridge |
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In my experience, I have never
come across a project where there were no unforeseen
circumstances. There were bound to be changes to the
original scope of works, such as changes in
design or additional/omission of works from the original scope
of
works. |
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This is where
the Contracts Manager plays a significant role in ensuring
that the interest of his employer is protected.
If he thinks there is some justification to make a claim, then he should follow
the claims procedure as spelled out in the
Conditions of Contract and prepare the necessary documentations to
submit as proofs or evidence of his claim.
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To be a successful Contracts Manager, I
believe that you need to have the following qualities:
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Fully conversant and familiar with the
contract requirement, especially the terms and conditions of
contract. The contract documents are like "a bible"
to
him - he should always refer to them and
use them to quote the relevant clauses when he is writing
to the Client for notice of his intention to
claim. |
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He has to be aware
of
the market situation, in terms
of the price of building materials and subcontractor's rate
for carrying out a certain item of work.
To be fair to his employer or his employer's
client, he should always try
to get the best rate by calling
for tender or quotations from at least three (3)
sources. |
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- Regular liaison and coordination with the Client,
Consultants and the Subcontractors should always be held to
resolve all issues pertaining to contractual matters. Having
a Contracts Manager with a pleasant personality helps a lot
to get the necessary cooperation and assistance.
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A
good Contracts Manager should
also look out for
"opportunities" to claim,
especially when the contract has a
provision for potential claims to be made. As long as you can
convince the Client that the claim is justified and you have
the necessary documentation to back up your claim, there is no reason
why the Client should not pay you.
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I
believe that you are also not a "complete"
Engineer if you have not exposed yourself to becoming
a Contracts Manager too.
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For further enquiries or information, please
write to roslan@roslank.com |
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or fill and send the mail
form
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Adress: No.8C, Jalan Mesra 1,
Taman Mesra, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan,
Malaysia. |
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Tel: +603-5519
1855 |
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Fax: +603-5519
2866 |
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Mobile: +6013-2020 998 |
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