A Bill of Quantities (BQ) is the master financial document of a construction project. Prepared by a Quantity Surveyor, it translates architectural and engineering drawings into a comprehensive, itemized list of every material, labor requirement, and general cost needed to complete the build. Its primary purpose is to allow contractors to price the project fairly…
Embarking on the construction of a mid-to large sized residential or commercial building in a major Kenyan town—whether in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, or Nakuru—is a significant capital investment. While it might be tempting to cut costs by minimizing the consultant team, a mixed-use development of this scale requires a high level of precision, legal compliance,…
Key Takeaways 1. Primary Objectives Under standard contract forms such as FIDIC, NEC, or JCT, Value Engineering allows the Contractor to submit voluntary proposals aimed at optimizing the project. If adopted, these proposals are designed to achieve several primary objectives. First, they can accelerate the completion of the works, ensuring faster project delivery. Second, they…
Key Takeaways Site Access and Personnel Constraints Construction progression under Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) frameworks relies heavily on unrestricted site access and logistical fluidity. Compensation events are triggered when the Employer fails to grant site access by the stipulated Site Possession Date. Additionally, alterations to the schedule or the roster of concurrent contractors and…
Key Takeaways Primary Triggers for Contractual Claims Under standard conditions, specific events are classified as Compensation Events, which act as the main catalysts for contractual claims. A frequent and significant source of these claims is financial delays, specifically the failure to process interim payment certificates within stipulated timelines. For example, a large regional infrastructure project…
Key Takeaways Contract Administration and Personnel Oversight The Project Manager operates as the primary administrator of the building contract and the chief liaison between the Employer and the Contractor. By definition, this role requires registration as an Architect, Quantity Surveyor, or Engineer. Upon contract execution, the PM is tasked with document management, explicitly required to…
