Construction Document, What Is It and Why Do You Need It?
Depending on the nature of the project, a construction document may consist of many different types of information. These documents include the owner-contractor agreement, scope of work, and cost estimate. Below is a discussion of these construction documents:
Common Construction Documents
‘Common’ construction documents include contracts, drawings, specifications, and a list of trades and materials. They also include the list of consultants for the project and the whole project. Each of these documents has its purpose, but their preparations should be in a similar format. Usually, a skilled designer is in charge of carefully reviewing the documents and signing them to ensure the project’s success.
The construction contract is also the most critical document in any construction project. Moreover, there are various supplementary documents, such as the master format outline. The main contract document is the most important and should be managed well. But it should also include additional documents, such as specifications and bid documents. Based on the trade specification, you can add the master format outline to the contract. These documents are designed to resolve any claims that may arise during the construction process.
Scope of work
The scope of your work should be defined clearly and concisely and include a project description and critical objectives statement. When preparing this document, take note to have the signatures of the contractor, project manager, and subcontractors. Signing it at the start of the project, at milestones, and at individual objectives is essential. Every project is different, so you should tailor the document to each project. Listed below are some tips to create a scope of work:
The scope of work should specify the materials, style, color, and benchtop brand. You can combine the specification and the content of the work in the same document. Negative variations omit a portion of the work’s content, such as a wall or window. These variations must be in line with the contract since missing a part of the scope could increase the risk of litigation.
Cost estimate
Developing a cost estimate is an integral part of any construction document. In addition to determining the project’s affordability, it is a great way to test different design concepts. Often, cost estimates are also included in a pre-tender document. In construction bidding, contractors and subcontractors will prepare a definitive cost estimate for the project. Once a construction document is ready, the contractors and subcontractors will compete to win the contract.
You can break the costs down into various categories in a construction document. Materials, labor, and administrative labor are essential to every construction project. When compiling a cost estimate, create a detailed list of all materials, quantities, and other important information. It is also wise to include a 10% contingency in your budget. This estimate is more accurate than an order of magnitude estimate.
Owner-contractor agreement
The contractor and the owner enter into a contract under an owner-contractor agreement. The contract specifies the scope of the project and provides the terms for payment. This document also identifies the payment method for the project. The owner may assign the agreement to a lender or financier. In this situation, the contractor will not object to the assignment. The owner may also transfer the contract to an affiliated company. The agreement stipulates that the Owner will provide all design, architectural, engineering, and other documents about the work.
General conditions
The general conditions of a construction document are the terms and conditions that govern a construction project. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) is in charge of preparing these conditions and they should comply with the circumstances and laws of a particular construction project. The GCCD is intended to be used with an agreement between the project owner and contractor.
General conditions are essential parts of any construction contract. They contain items and resources needed to complete a construction project. These items are not part of the finished product but are necessary for the project’s success. Examples include garbage removal, temporary offices, protection, administrative time, etc. The general contract provides these conditions to facilitate the construction project in the community. Since these conditions are necessary to the construction process, they need compensation. Often, contractors include them as a line item in a proposal.
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