Provisional sums/Dayworks/legislative changes in construction

Quantitysurveyorblog
3 min readJan 8, 2020

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Provisional sums in construction under FIDIC 1999

Provisional sums in construction are the best guest values provided by the consultants at the tender stage, For works cannot be determined at the earlier stage (As an example, excavating of uncertain soil conditions). So consultants are stating provisional sum amounts for these kinds of works (works which can not be evaluated).

But at the end of the project, the client should pay the actual amount and contract price should adjust accordingly. Therefore provisional sum stating by the engineer should be reasonable. Sub-clause 13.5 in FIDIC 99 contracts is clearly indicating the procedures to be followed for paying the provisional sums.

After completing the particular works mentioned under provisional sums, the contractor should present all substantial documents proving cost incurred. As substantiate document, the contractor may submit all quotations, invoices and purchasing vouchers for material and plants purchased for works defined as provisional sums. Payment will be made for the actual amounts spent to complete the tasks plus the contractor’s overheads and profit as per the sub-clause 13.5 under FIDIC 99.

Dayworks in construction under FIDIC 1999

For small or minor works at the site (such as cleaning, snagging and damage rectifying), The engineer can instruct a variation to carry out and complete the works based on daywork rates. Each variation issued under daywork rates will evaluate by the engineer at the later stage by using the daywork schedule. Importance factor is that it is essential to include the daywork schedule in the contract document, to issue a variation instruction based on daywork rates, If not sub-clause 13.6 will not applicable according to the FIDIC contracts.

The contractor should submit relevant quotations of materials (except for goods specified in the schedule) before ordering the materials according to sub-clause 13.6 [ FIDIC 99]. Also, the contractor should provide these quotations when applying for payments.

But for goods and personals stated in daywork schedule, the contractor should submit follows,

  • name, profession and time of each person involved in particular work.
  • Proper details, timesheets of the contractor’s plants, and temporary works used for particular work
  • Material quantities (used for the specific task)

The contractor’s responsibility is that they should submit the above details to the engineer each day. And the engineer should check and approve the presented statement.

Adjustment for changes in legislation under FIDIC 1999

Time to time in every country, Legislations changes are happening based on government policies and requirements. New legislations are introduced by governments, and old legislations are revised or revoked.

Most of these changes are affecting the construction industry directly or indirectly. Therefore FIDIC 99 contract includes sub-clause 13.7 to supporting contractors and clients to make necessary adjustments due to these legislative changes.

As an example, most of the GCC countries have introduced value-added tax(VAT). (UAE and KSA have introduced the VAT from 1st of January 2018 and Baharain has introduced VAT on 1st of January 2019). This cause adding extra 5% into previously agreed contracts, and governments have advised clients and consultants to adjust contract price accordingly.

Originally published at https://quantitysurveyor.blog on January 8, 2020.

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