CONSTRUCTION DISPUTES & CLAIMS

Construction claims are an important part of the western construction industry. Western contractors carefully review their responsibility under the contract and are alert to actions that change their obligation. United States contractors regularly submit claims and are willing to invest the time and money required to collect the entire amount requested. Contractors work equally hard to deny any responsibility for owner claims submitted against them. Western contractors rarely hesitate to insist a claim be presented in litigation or arbitration if a satisfactory negotiated settlement cannot be achieved.

How to present or defend a construction claim is taught in American university courses and industry seminars. Construction claims are part of the curriculum of many engineering and architecture schools in the United States. Professional and industry groups regularly conduct educational programs for their members to explain new techniques to collect or defend against claims.

Through the teaching process, the United States has developed rules and standard procedures for construction claims. CCL personnel have been leaders in developing these rules and procedures. Professionals on our staff have conducted educational programs for industry for the last 20 years and have served as adjunct professors and visiting instructors at various universities in the Schools of Engineering and Architectural Engineering teaching construction scheduling, construction claims, and construction contracts. CCL personnel write articles for industry magazines and journals and have contributed to 7 books published on claims, schedules, and dispute resolution. CCL can either use this extensive base of experience and knowledge to defend or present a claim to achieve a negotiated settlement.

DELAY ANALYSIS

 

CCL provides evaluations of the causes, responsibility and costs of project delays using CPM scheduling techniques.

Familiarity with scheduling techniques, construction methods, scheduling hardware and software, and the professional judgment gained from "hands on" construction and design experience enables CCL to recognize bias in schedules, identify schedules that have been manipulated to distort the impact of delays on the project schedule and costs, and to provide accurate delay evaluations.

 

DAMAGE CALCULATIONS

 

CCL is a recognized authority in evaluation of damages resulting from delays, claims, change orders, and variations. A staff of experienced engineers, architects, estimators, accountants, and quantity surveyors enables us to provide accurate and detailed cost and damage evaluations. CCL's specialized experience in identifying the impacts and costs associated with delays is of particular value in calculating damages.

 

DEFECTS EVALUATION AND CORRECTION

 

CCL is experienced in the evaluation and management of remedial work and correction of construction deficiencies. Familiar with building codes and standards, CCL provides investigations and evaluations of construction or design deficiencies to define required corrections. CCL's evaluation can be used to develop plans and specifications to correct deficiencies. CCL provides experienced project management and oversight services to monitor contractor's remedial work, schedules, and payments.

 

LITIGATION/ARBITRATION

 

CCL has successfully presented technical and cost evaluations to courts and arbitration panels and has been retained by project owners, government and municipal agencies, construction firms, architectural/engineering design firms and leading construction law firms to organize and prepare construction disputes for presentation.