Page 237 - The City and Guilds Textbook: Plumbing Book 1 for the Level 3 Apprenticeship (9189), Level 2 Technical Certificate (8202) and Level 2 Diploma (6035)

Chapter 4 Planning and supervision

Variations in work

Nearly all construction projects will encounter changes or variations during the
design and construction process. Because of this, many construction contracts
include provision for a variation clause. The term variation usually means a
change, modification, alteration, revision or amendment to the original contract
and how works are to be carried out.
In order to solve problems related to changes to a project, the project team
must be equipped to analyse the variation, anticipate its immediate effect on
other parts of the work programme and then effectively manage the new work.

Variation order
A variation order is a document that records any agreement made with a client INDUSTRY TIP
to alter the existing work specified in a building contract.
Producing the variation order
Variation in the work that would involve any change to the agreed contract as early as possible will save
price for the work must be agreed and approved in writing by the owner before money, as one of the problems
a variation order can be put into action. A variation can impact on timescales with reaching agreement is the
for completion and any order must include details of both cost and time time the whole process takes.
changes. Sometimes an independent
company can be brought in to
If a variation of work is caused, for example, by poor installation or lack of quickly resolve variation issues
ability to complete a task properly, then the contractor could be liable for if there is poor communication
any subsequent costs. A problem with the installation may have been identified and co-ordination on a project.
by the clerk of works and, if it is found that the routing of exposed pipework
is not acceptable, it would then alter the agreed design. A discussion with the
contractors must take place and the reasons for the change, and its impact on
time and cost, must be carried out with the customer.

If the customer suggests changes after the contract has been signed, then they
will have to bear the costs related to delays or additional material and design
to complete the work. All changes are to be confirmed in writing as written
communications have the advantage of providing a permanent record.

Causes of variation orders
The chart in Figure 4.12 shows a range of causes for variations and is helpful
when assessing where liability rests.

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