Clause for Concern: Common Construction Contract Provisions
In the early stages of a project, the participants pay little (if any) attention to the particulars of their contracts. The focus is on obtaining the work and then completing the job within the allotted time and budget. If all goes smoothly, the project may be completed without anyone ever pulling their contract from the pile gathering dust atop the file cabinet. When the project goes awry, however, the contract becomes the focus. Great attention is paid to the fine print, often for the first time and often to the great surprise of one or both contracting parties. Citation: ASHRAE Journal, vol. 44, no. 2, February 2002