Construction law EOt

Australia's #1 for Law
Join 150,000 Australians every month. Ask a question, respond to a question and better understand the law today!
FREE - Join Now

Thalaw

Member
12 January 2020
1
0
1
There is a delay to a construction programme as a result of a client design change changing the footings from limestone to concrete due to the foundations type being discovered at the earth works stage.

The delay occurred 5 days prior to the footings needing to be laid (critical task) but as a result the main contractor needed to engage a concreter to complete the new scope of work. The most readily available concreter was not able to start for at least ten days and therefore the there were 5 days delay to the project.

If the client owns the float in accordance with the contract, is the contractor able to claim the 5 additional days (10-5=5) as an extension of time, given that the delay is as a result of the clients change? Or does he fact that the client owns the float mean that the contractor is responsible for finding a concreter who can complete the works in accordance with the programme?