Resolution Of Disputes To Avoid Construction Claims

This synthesis report will be of interest to transportation agency administrators, including contract administrators; construction, design, claims, and scheduling engineers; project staff and managers; attorneys; and construction contractors. This synthesis describes the state of the practice with respect to procedures used throughout the United States to resolve disputes to avoid construction claims. Fair and timely resolution of contract disputes may help lessen highway construction project administrative costs, benefitting the public, the agency, and the contractor. This report of the Transportation Research Board examines the underlying reasons for contract disputes and identifies methods for dispute avoidance and resolution. It complements the information in NCHRP Synthesis of Highway Practice 105: Construction Contract Claims: Causes and Methods of Settlement, which focused on the causes of disputes. This synthesis further emphasizes finding ways to settle disputes at their inception, before they become formal claims or lawsuits.

Construction Claims is an important resource professionals can turn to when looking for information on how to avoid, negociate, prosecute, document, and defend construction claims. Written for the contractor rather than the attorney, this book includes information on program management, turnkey contracting, mini-trials, and environmental issues such as hazardous materials. Special features of this book include standard contract forms, case histories, sample forms, and charts that address any contract situation.

Praise for the Second Edition . . . "A basic, how-to guide . . . for all those involved in the construction industry."--The Construction Lawyer "This book is indispensable for any contractor who, against his better judgment, bids a fixed price contract . . . highly recommended."--David S. Thaler, The Daily Record "Particularly useful to the construction contractor [and] also instructive to owners and design professionals."--Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities "Practical advice on how to prevent a dispute--from the moment that the contract preparation begins through performance by the contractor and administration by the owner."--Concrete International Over two successful editions, Construction Claims has become the sourcebook of choice on the subject for construction professionals from all areas of the industry. Now extensively updated, the Third Edition includes new material on design/build implications for construction; dispute review boards and their proper use; partnering to avoid disputes; and federal and relevant state environmental regulations. Written by a prestigious and experienced author team, it uses an accessible, step-by-step approach that follows the contracting process from start to finish, with detailed coverage of provisions of the law, "red flag" contract clauses, and documentation issues and procedures. It also addresses the key aspects of prosecuting and defending claims, from claims presentation to formal dispute resolution. Complete with dozens of new forms and checklists, plus case histories, mini-cases, and more, this edition is an essential resource for anyone involved in construction and the law.

"This best practices manual will show you how to use alternative dispute resolution to handle construction disputes. Construction mediation experts Silver and Furlong explain strategies for minimizing conflict before, during and after a project. You'll achieve solutions faster, save significant amounts of money, and maintain business relationships for future projects."--Pub. desc.

The National Academy of Construction (NAC) has determined that disputes, and their accompanying inefficiencies and costs, constitute a significant problem for the industry. In 2002, the NAC assessed the industry's progress in attacking this problem and determined that although the tools, techniques, and processes for preventing and efficiently resolving disputes are already in place, they are not being widely used. In 2003, the NAC helped to persuade the Center for Construction Industry Studies (CCIS) at the University of Texas and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to finance and conduct empirical research to develop accurate information about the relative transaction costs of various forms of dispute resolution. In 2004 the NAC teamed with the Federal Facilities Council (FFC) of the National Research Council to sponsor the "Government/Industry Forum on Reducing Construction Costs: Uses of Best Dispute Resolution Practices by Project Owners." The forum was held on September 23, 2004, at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C. Speakers and panelists at the forum addressed several topics. Reducing Construction Costs addresses topics such as the root causes of disputes and the impact of disputes on project costs and the economics of the construction industry. A second topic addressed was dispute resolution tools and techniques for preventing, managing, and resolving construction- related disputes. This report documents examples of successful uses of dispute resolution tools and techniques on some high-profile projects, and also provides ways to encourage greater use of dispute resolution tools throughout the industry. This report addresses steps that owners of construction projects (who have the greatest ability to influence how their projects are conducted) should take in order to make their projects more successful.

Analyses how conflicts on construction projects all too often escalate into costly and drawn-out disputes. It identifies strategies that parties can employ to ensure that conflicts are used to generate positive solutions to problems rather than escalating those problems into disputes. Gerber and Ong, Monash University.

Starting with this catalog, Means offers a select group of references at special prices. These books provide essential information for contractors, design professional, and facilities managers and bring you the expertise of leading authorities. Take advantage of this opportunity to build your reference collection. Demonstrates how to: resolve disputes -- head off claim problems -- manage the claims process, if a claim is inevitable. Includes strategies for evaluating and preparing claims, defending against them, recovering losses, and protecting profits.

Building contract claims for more time on projects represent one of the largest sources of dispute within the industry. However, identifying the causes of delays, and the effects they have on the project, is often difficult and the burden on the party seeking to prove delay is a heavy one. This book provides the construction professional with an analysis of how construction projects become delayed, the practical measures which can be taken to avoid such delays, and how the parties can protect their positions in the face of delays. It goes on to look at the requirements for producing a successful claim. It provides a straightforward guide to the legal issues, and also considers how the effects of delays can most practically be addressed. The Second Edition takes account of new case law since 1999, and has new sections on adjudication, risk allocations and the Society of Construction Law Delay Protocol. Very well received when it was first published, the book is aimed particularly at contractors, project managers and senior surveyors, but will also be of interest to construction lawyers.