Time is Money: Construction Contract Times, Delays, and Schedules-Time is Money Construction Contract Times, Delays, and Schedules Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this comprehensive 90-minute webinar, Kevin O'Byrne, National Manager of Engineering Specifications at HDR, addresses critical issues related to construction contract times, delays, and schedules. Aimed primarily at owners, engineers, and architects involved in capital projects, the session covers essential contract elements: scope, compensation, and especially time.<br /><br />The presentation emphasizes the importance of accurately stipulating contract times to avoid cost escalations arising from overly short or long schedules. Key focus areas include types of delays—those within contractor control, owner control, and force majeure events—and their risk allocations in contracts, typically detailed in general conditions and Division 1 specifications.<br /><br />O'Byrne highlights that contractors bear risks for delays they control, including those from subcontractors and suppliers, while owners assume responsibility for delays like scope changes, slow approvals, and differing site conditions. Force majeure delays (e.g., abnormal weather, war, embargoes) warrant owner time extensions but often no additional compensation, per standard contracts (EJCDC, AIA).<br /><br />Liquidated damages are explored in depth as a pre-agreed financial remedy for contractor late completion. O'Byrne advises that LD amounts be reasonable, justified, documented, and specified in owner-contractor agreements. Enforcement requires thorough communication and careful handling to preserve project relationships.<br /><br />Finally, the webinar discusses construction progress schedules: baseline, cost-loaded, and resource-loaded. Reviewing these schedules appropriately—neither too superficially nor excessively detailed—is critical to contract compliance and delay management. The engineer’s role is to ensure schedules are complete, logical, and reflect constraints without assuming contractor responsibilities.<br /><br />The session concludes with references to industry guides (CSI, EJCDC, AIA) and resources authored by O'Byrne, underscoring the necessity of clear documentation and fair contract administration to mitigate disputes and keep projects on schedule.

Keywords

construction contracts

contract times

project delays

schedule management

contract scope

compensation clauses

contract risk allocation

force majeure delays

liquidated damages

contract enforcement

progress schedules

engineering specifications

capital projects