PSA: That 'simple' harbor inspection in Tampa last month was anything but.

We were supposed to be checking pilings for a two day job, but the viz was so bad from a recent storm you couldn't see your gauges. Ended up working by feel for three extra days, which the client tried to argue was our fault. How do you guys handle contract wording for delays caused by conditions you can't control?

3 comments

3 Comments

casey8433mo ago

Our standard contract has a force majeure clause that specifically lists poor visibility and weather delays. We learned the hard way after a job in Mobile Bay to list every possible act of God. Now we attach a daily rate sheet for any work beyond the original scope. Did your original bid have a line for unforeseen site conditions?

holly_price3mo ago

Wait, did you guys hire a lawyer who's also a psychic to write that clause? Lol, listing every act of God sounds like you're trying to cover a hurricane, a plague of locusts, and maybe a surprise visit from an angry sea monster. Attaching the daily rate sheet is genius though, that's the only way to stop clients from acting shocked when extra days cost extra money. My old bids just had "stuff we didn't plan for" scribbled in the margin, which did not work out well for me.

richard_sanchez4327d ago

Man @casey843 would probably have a good laugh at this, one time we had a contract that specifically mentioned "zombie apocalypse" as a force majeure event because the owner's son was really into The Walking Dead and insisted on it.