Independent assessment of construction variation claims

Quantity Surveying and Cost Control

Independent assessment of construction variation claims

Variations — changes to the scope of work during a construction project — are a common source of cost overruns and disputes. Without independent assessment, clients can end up paying for work that was already included in the contract, or for variations that were not properly instructed. LateShield provides independent assessment of contractor variation claims and manages the variation account throughout the project.

What we cover

Work covered

LateShield coordinates the required specialists and manages the process from initial review through to practical completion. The work covered on this service includes:

Discuss your project
  • Review of contractor variation notices
  • Assessment of whether variations were properly instructed
  • Valuation of instructed variations
  • Assessment of disputed variation claims
  • Variation account preparation and management
  • Omission and addition account reconciliation
  • Daywork assessment
  • Prolongation cost assessment
  • Variation dispute support
  • Final account variation reconciliation

Who this is for

Is this service right for you?

  • Clients who have received variation claims from a contractor and need independent assessment
  • Project managers who need variation account management support
  • Clients dealing with a disputed variation or final account
  • Anyone who wants independent oversight of the variation process on a construction project

What you receive

Your deliverables

  • Independent assessment of the contractor's variation claims
  • Variation account showing instructed, agreed and disputed variations
  • Daywork assessment where applicable
  • Variation dispute support documentation
  • Final account variation reconciliation

Process

How it works

01

Initial enquiry

Contact LateShield with details of the project and the variation claims. We will confirm the scope and timescale for the assessment.

02

Claim review

We review each variation claim in detail, assessing whether the variation was properly instructed and whether the valuation is reasonable.

03

Variation account

We prepare a variation account showing the instructed, agreed and disputed variations and the net effect on the contract sum.

04

Negotiation support

We support the negotiation of disputed variations with the contractor, using the independent assessment as the basis for discussion.

05

Final account

We incorporate the agreed variation account into the final account at the end of the project.

Getting started

What to send us

Send us whatever you have. You do not need everything — share what is available and we will work with it.

Contractor's variation notices and supporting documentation
Contract documents and contract sum
Drawings and specification
Site instructions and correspondence
Previous payment certificates if available

LateShield provides technical and commercial assessment support. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice. Legal advice, adjudication and formal dispute resolution must be provided by an appropriately regulated professional.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

If you have a question not covered here, contact us directly and we will be happy to help.

Ask a question

A construction variation is a change to the scope of work under a construction contract. Variations can be instructed by the client, required by Building Control or arise from unforeseen site conditions. Most standard construction contracts include a mechanism for valuing and agreeing variations.

Under most standard construction contracts, a contractor can only charge for variations that have been properly instructed in writing. LateShield can assess whether a variation was properly instructed and whether the contractor is entitled to payment.

Daywork is a method of valuing variations where the work cannot be valued by measurement. It is based on the actual time, materials and plant used, at agreed rates. LateShield can assess daywork claims to ensure the rates and quantities are reasonable.

Prolongation is the additional cost incurred by a contractor as a result of the project taking longer than planned. It may be recoverable where the delay was caused by a client instruction or other relevant event. LateShield can assess prolongation claims as part of the variation assessment process.

Yes. Construction variation assessment services are available for residential and commercial projects throughout the UK.

Coverage

Service area

Construction variation assessment services are available for residential and commercial projects throughout the UK. Site-based services are available across Worcestershire and surrounding areas.

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Ready to discuss your project?

Describe your situation and LateShield will advise on the most appropriate support. There is no obligation.