Defective Plans
A common cause of project changes is defective plans and specifications. Whether due to architect or engineers errors or the complexity of modern construction, incomplete or erroneous plans or specifications are often the cause of requests for clarification, requests for change orders and requests for additional compensation.
When a contractor enters into a contract he is entitled to rely on the accuracy of the information provided by the owner. Whether that information is in plans for new construction or plans of existing conditions, in a geotechnical report, utilities plan or an "as-built" of a facility to be renovated, the contractor is allowed to make reasonable assumptions on the basis of that information, and does not need to perform his own duplicate investigations in order to prepare a bid.