The Unpredictability of Weather

Episode #9

Imagine a stormy sea of unpredictability – that's weather delays in construction. Jacob sets the stage, shedding light on the impact of these wild forecasts on your projects. Brace yourself as he deciphers contract forms like JCT and NEC, revealing their unique approaches.

Hold onto your hardhats as Jacob shares the keys to the weather delay kingdom. Different contracts, different rules! JCT treats adverse weather neutrally, while NEC calculates compensation events objectively. It's like having a weather guide for your contracts.

But that's not all. Jacob's got your back with practical tools and strategies. Detailed records and evidence? They're your lifelines. Negotiation tactics? He's your ally. By the end of this episode, you'll be the weather delay guru you never knew you could be.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  1. Weather delays in construction projects can be unpredictable and difficult to accurately forecast, making it challenging to plan and account for them in contracts.

  2. Under JCT contracts, weather delays are considered neutral events and do not entitle subcontractors to cost recovery. However, they may be eligible for an extension of time.

  3. The definition of "exceptionally adverse weather conditions" under JCT contracts is subjective and open to interpretation, making it important for subcontractors to communicate and negotiate with the contractor to determine what qualifies as exceptional.

  4. Keeping detailed records, such as a site diary, is crucial for substantiating weather delay claims. Subcontractors may need to provide evidence of the abnormality of the weather conditions and the impact on their work.

  5. NEC contracts provide a more prescriptive and objective approach to calculating and dealing with weather delays. The contract specifies a designated weather monitoring station, and subcontractors can compare the actual weather data to the one in 10-year average to determine entitlement to compensation events.

BEST MOMENTS

  1. "The weather forecasters can't get it right, so when we're putting a contract together, what makes us think we're going to get it right?"

  2. "The weather could be described as one thing, unpredictable."

  3. "The NEC contract has quite a defined procedure for weather, whereas this is typically the case across all of the JCT contracts."

  4. "The weather encountered has got to be exceptional for the time of year and location."

  5. "The compensation event for weather is a lot more usable and user-friendly than the JCT version."

HOST BIO

Meet Jacob Austin, a Chartered Quantity Surveyor with a rich background at industry giants Balfour Beatty, Kier, and Vistry Group. With extensive involvement in education, health, and residential projects spanning various scales, from £1000s to £100M, Jacob brings a unique perspective. Having collaborated with numerous small businesses, he's now committed to sharing his expertise to drive their success. Join Jacob on his podcast, where he blends his profound insights and personable approach to offer guidance, industry secrets, and inspirational stories.

LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-austin/

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This show was brought to you by Progressive Media