In the tender, if the client allows certain money amount as provisional sum such as $10,000,000. for soft landscaping. In this case, how should the main contractor make allowance of time in his programme for the soft landscaping work.
I usually put a task in the programme e.g. Client to give instruction for provisional sum for soft landscaping works (at the very begining of the project, in order to request client to issue details for the works) and make says allows 2 months for the works according to past experience. Do yo think this is correct ?
However, if the client issues the istruction very late and the works is much complicated than normal soft landscaping works. Do you think the main contrator have grant to claim for extension of time?
Thank!
Gary Lo
Hi Gary
Soft landscaping is interfaced with hard landscaping - ie roads paths and hardstandings which in turn follow drains and services.
There is also a link with striking scaffold so the position of the task is securely set with the logic.
The instruction to expend the provisional sum should be a milestone linked to the design procurement and mobilisation tasks which are then linked FS to soft landscaping - all set ALAP.
If the instruction is late then there is the basis for a claim but landscaping is rarely on the critical path which invariably follows MEP test and commission.
The soft landscaping itself should be broken down into sections:
Remove rubble & level to profile > Irrigation System > Topsoil > Shrubs and trees > Lawns > Seats and furniture > Signage
Best regards
Mike Testro
Is there any minimum requirement specified in the contract, to include the Provisional Sum in the baseline programme. If yes, as a prudent and experienced Contractor, you might have allocated 2 months for this landscaping works. In the narrative of the programme and as separate official letter you can explain the 2 months duration basis, considering the minimum requirements. Later this baseline may be approved by the Client.
Moreover as an experienced Contractor, your team may know how much cost is approx.required for the standard type of landscaping works or for the contract specified mimimum requirements. They may also know if more requirements can be covered in the 10 m dollars.
If more complex scope come up for landscaping during the instruction by Client, definitely it will require more time (may be with the same cost). In that case you can notify the Client related to the impact on the Contract Completion.
Regards
Kannan
Suppose the overall construction programme is 3 years, and I put (requesting the architect to issue AI and drawings for soft landscaping works which is a provisional sum of says $10,000,000 3 months after the commencement of the project, and also a task to carry out the soft landscaping works 3 months before the completion of the overall project). However, the architect finally issue the drawings 3 months before the project completion and the scope is found much complicated than the main contractor expected. Do the manin contractor have any grant to claim?
Hi Gary,
Provisional sum items are those not clearly defined at the time of Tendering (Say design, drawings, price not clearly defined).
But you can include the item in your Baseeline and get it approved by the client . Normally landscaping works you can include on
the later stage of the project with two months duration (depends)
Best Regards,
Sunil.