When you perform construction work for someone else in New Jersey, it is important that your client’s expectations align with your ability to deliver. The “scope of work” is the part of a construction contract that details the work you are going to perform. A strong scope of work includes considerable detail about the expectations for both sides, taking into account responsibilities, technical details and so on.
Per Levelset, having a well-written scope of work in your construction contract may go a long way in terms of helping you avoid construction conflicts and litigation. The less your scope of work leaves open to interpretation, the better, and the more detailed it is, the more likely it is to help prevent delays and payment disputes from arising. When drafting the scope of work for your construction project, keep the following tips in mind.
Set realistic goals and expectations
While overpromising or overcommitting sets you up for failure, setting realistic goals from the outset often does the opposite. While it is important to outline realistic expectations with regard to actual work, it is also wise to set clear expectations when it comes to supply costs, how much time the project might take and so on.
Have all subcontractors read and sign off on the scope
If there are subcontractors who are going to perform work covered in the scope, make sure to have them read the scope closely and sign off acknowledging that they have done so. This is a highly effective way of helping prevent contract and construction disputes.
Many construction disputes arise due to a lack of communication or transparency. A well-worded, carefully crafted scope of work may help you prevent such conflicts from arising in the first place.
