How Does a Clear Scope of Work Help Prevent Contractual Disagreements?
Most construction projects involve many different parties working together to accomplish something rather impressive. Building something new is a massive undertaking, but such projects can also lead to massive headaches if everyone involved is not clear on exactly what their responsibilities are. This is why it is so important to make it clear what each party’s scope of work is. Our Houston construction contract lawyers can help you write better contracts that are less likely to result in conflicts later on.
What is the Scope of Work?
The scope of work refers to exactly what a person or company is expected to do on this project. Some parties are going to be responsible for just delivering materials, others will have a particular responsibility on the worksite. Everyone involved should have a contract that makes it obvious what they need to do.
A scope of work should be specific, something more than “You do this.” This part of the contract can include information about:
- The overall goals of the project
- Guidelines that must be followed
- The schedule for the project
- Costs for the project
- Organizational charts
- What tools and equipment are needed for this job
- What deliverables a party will be responsible for
What Are the Benefits of Making the Scope of Work Clear?
When everyone has a clear scope of work written into their contracts, misunderstandings are less likely. Everyone knows what their job is.
This can mean that confusion and arguments are less likely to be an issue. Subcontractors know exactly what they need to do, so they don’t butt heads with each other over a job that they both thought they were responsible for. No one steps on anyone else’s role and every job gets completed.
You can also make contract disputes less likely and make it easier to solve any dispute that does come up. Let’s say that you are withholding payment from a subcontractor because they did not finish a critical task. If the scope of work on their contract is clear, it’s obvious that they did not live up to their end of the bargain. If the scope of work is vague, then you’re probably going to have a court battle on your hands.
A clear scope of work can also help you avoid delays. If certain equipment is needed for a job, that can be outlined as a part of the contract. If this information is left out, you may find that a contractor does not have what they need to perform their role on day one. This means delays and extra costs.
Contact Our Law Firm
We know the construction industry here at Patout & Shaw. So if you are starting up a new project and you want to make sure that your contracts are ironclad, we are ready to assist you. Just contact us and set up a consultation today.
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