In today's competitive construction industry, meeting deadlines and managing project schedules are essential to project success. Civil engineers, in particular, have a responsibility to adhere to a strict project schedule. For this reason, extension requests have become a common toolbox for a construction project manager. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of requesting a deadline extension and how civil engineers can maximize their potential to ensure successful project completion.
An extension of time (EOT) is a request to extend the contract closing date. For an EOT to be approved, the request must be submitted in writing to the consultant or engineer and accompanied by supporting documentation. The request must also indicate the reasons for the request and the expected duration of the extension.
There are many reasons why an EOT may be necessary, but the most common reason is a delay beyond the contractor's control. These delays may be caused by
- Delays in providing access to the website at the start of the project
- Climate
- Variations
- Engineer's failure to provide information necessary to proceed with construction
- Lack of materials
- Force majeure
- Changes to the scope of work
- strikes
- Delays in issuing approval and contractors made reasonable efforts
- Any other unavoidable events beyond the control of the contractor
In some cases, an extension may also be granted if the contractor can demonstrate that it made good faith efforts to complete the project on time but was prevented from doing so by events beyond its control.
After an EOT request is submitted, the consultant or engineer reviews the request and supporting documentation to determine whether the application is valid. If the request is approved, the Consultant will extend the contract closing date for the period specified in the request. In some cases, the consultant may also approve a partial extension, which only grants the contractor an extension for a portion of the requested time.
If the consultant rejects the application, the contractor has the opportunity to appeal the decision. The appeal must be made in writing and the contractor must explain the reasons why he believes that the extension of the deadline should be granted. The consultant will review the appeal and make a final decision. If the appeal is rejected, the contractor may proceed with resolving the dispute.
Deadline extensions are a common phenomenon in the construction industry and civil engineers should be familiar with the process. When civil engineers understand how an EOT works, they can better manage their projects and ensure they are completed on time and within budget.
