The amount of any payment will normally be the main concern for those involved in construction payment disputes. Whether you believe you are not being paid enough or are paying too much, the quantum and strength of your case needs to be established before any measures can be taken. Edge Consult can independently review construction costs, or assist as part of your team, to establish your financial liability or entitlement under the building contract.

Cost and Value

Edge Consult provide a range of construction commercial management services and quantity surveying support on all project types. For example, we regularly provide on-going commercial monitoring, report and audit services on construction costs and liabilities. Edge Consult also prepare interim payment applications, interim valuations and final accounts or statements. Early input from Edge Consult can help protect your position by identifying any commercial issues and instigating a strategy to address these while mitigation measures are still possible. The recognition of Variations/Changes and the cost of these are often under-reported until after the works are complete. This can result in poor cashflow for Contractors and surprise cost increases for Employers, which is a regular source of disputes.

Edge Consult’s input can be invaluable in determining the legitimacy, accuracy, and reasonableness (or otherwise) of the stated financial position. This information may be essential in enabling you to decide whether to continue negotiations or consider a formal dispute resolution process to resolve differences.

Edge Consult also have the expertise needed to establish, as part of an insolvency process, both liabilities and potential payment recovery to support Administrators. Following recent court cases, recovery of costs through Adjudication is now an option.

Claims for Loss and Expense

Whilst construction payment disputes often arise in the valuation of Variations/Changes, it is usually loss and expense where the largest sums of money are disputed.

Edge Consult has extensive experience in preparing fully evidenced claims for loss and expense as part of normal final accounts or in support of an adjudication. This will often utilise our planners’ expertise in delay analysis. Remember, an extension of time for a period is unrelated to entitlement to loss and expense.

Edge Consult also provide full support in the evaluation of and defending against claims for loss and expense submitted to our clients. Again, in order to ascertain loss and expense it is important to understand not just the financial aspects but also how the contract and programme impacts on the claims. In a Response to an Adjudication, the time available to review and defend loss and expense claims will be very limited. With our expertise, we will identify the key areas to address. This will be essential to enable resources to be concentrated on matters where there is the greatest chance of success.

Expert Witness and Litigation Support

Edge Consult are often appointed to provide Expert Witness Statements or litigation support on matters such as quantum / valuation. The Partners’ extensive experience in this area, as both construction professionals and dispute resolution consultants, will provide you with the necessary independent expertise.

Conflict Avoidance

Dispute Resolution

Programmes and Delay Analysis

Strategic Contractual Advice