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Do contract variations keep leaving you out of pocket?

When you are faced with variations in your contract, the worst thing you can do is bury your head in the sand about notifying your client or assume the way you do this is as you did with the last contract. Do you just email Sue, Dave or whoever in accounts?

No two contracts are the same, but, when you are busy getting on with delivering the contract, it is not always easy to remember the process for variation notifications and deadlines. So in many cases, assuming it is just like previous contracts may seem like the easy option.

However, this could cost you dearly - as our short animation about Sunny illustrates.

You have to understand what the contract demands of you in respect of variations. They will always happen, but unless you confirm variations strictly in accordance with the contract terms, you could be facing a situation where you end up having to do more work.

This could have serious knock-on effects - having to do more work may mean that you don't finish the contract on time. So not only will you not be getting paid for the extra work, you will also get the blame for finishing late from others involved in the project. Reputation-wise, that's not great either!

What's the solution? Outsource the monitoring and reporting of your variations!

Whatever your construction trade, nobody would expect you to be a contracts expert. That's why businesses outsource specialist services like accountancy all the time because, if they don't, they know there is a risk that financial issues will arise.

So why not get into the habit of outsourcing specialist contractual services, like the Monthly Variations Auditing service that Quantum CPM provides?

With this service, Quantum CPM's contract specialists - themselves chartered quantity surveyors - will review your variations on a monthly basis. They will keep track of the variations at different stages, and advise on any that are coming up for action. Most importantly, with this service we make sure you have notified your client in accordance with the requirements of the contract.

By professionally evaluating the variations you are submitting to your client, we can help get them agreed for payment and help you get into a better system for future contracts, with more complete accounts and fewer disputes.

Let Quantum CPM help you take control

Monthly Variations Auditing is just one of the eight core services that Quantum CPM provides. We can help you at the point before you even agree to do the work by checking your contract to address any onerous terms that could be challenged, or you may decide to decline the contract to avoid the risk.

Throughout the contract we work to keep Contractors and Sub-Contractors on track, including services to monitor your liabilities and help with final account control. And even work your work is complete, we can assist with payment of retentions.

These services don't cost the earth and could make your business much more profitable.

To find out more and for a no obligation discussion call Quantum CPM on 0161 974 6655 or drop us an email: .