The following are general guidelines for creating a SOW: When creating the SOW, write plainly. However, if a contractor agrees to the adequacy of the plans, this may undermine the owner’s liability. Document assembly, automation & analytics, Digitise & streamline your standard operating procedures. The tangible outcomes of this transition for your company and specifically for your scope of works are: Digital methods allow you to streamline the SOW process, as well as improve your records and collaboration. Identifies the contractor's responsibilities Federal Court Upholds OSHA’s Expansive Subpoena Power. This means documenting what processes/steps will not be done to avoid assumptions and confusion. A historical procurement summary of the goods or services. However, even if you have a precise scope of work in your contract, other contract provisions can affect the defined scope. Clearly define the product requirements (also called the product scope). The scope of such work shall include masonry concrete work and be limited to foundations, slabs and block kneewalls incidental to the aluminum and … © © 2020 Highlands Publications, Inc. All Rights Reserved. However, beware of any satisfaction clause that obligates a contractor to perform to the subjective satisfaction of the owner. It is not an actual contract. A deliverables schedule noting when and where goods will be performed. A scope of work is often issued by a client, consultant or contractor as part of the tendering process as a 'proposal' of sorts, which companies can then use to decide whether or … A construction scope of work may include details such as description of construction work activities, deliverables, timelines and milestones, pricing, quality of work and governance terms and conditions etc. It is easy to incorporate a document, but far harder to determine if it conflicts with negotiated contract requirements. Within each section, there will be information about the task and the deadline when the task is to be completed. References specifications, if applicable to the project. ADEQUACY OF CONTRACT DOCUMENTS If you need help with a contract scope of work, you can post your legal need on UpCounsel's marketplace. In this way, once the scope is defined, it cannot be changed without appropriate functions taking place to change the process. A general contractor is responsible for providing all of the material, labor, equipment (such as engineering vehicles and tools) and services necessary for the construction of the project. A breakdown of the equipment and supplies that the contractor needs. The scope of work document describes all of the work to be done on a project, who is responsible for completing the work, how the work must be performed (techniques used), and what materials will be used. Guidelines for Forming a Scope of Work. It should encourage innovative solutions to the job or project requirements and allow for reasonable free and open competition. And finally, somewhere on your SOW you'll want to include some form of versioning or version control, so that changes can be made and agreed to or approved with a signature (or multiple signatures). Organizational charts for those assigned to work on the project. Within each section, there will be information about the task and the deadline when the task is to be completed. This type of provision can place a contractor in the impossible position of being contractually obligated to comply with two conflicting requirements. While this might seem like a simple question, scope issues often are at the heart of construction litigation. The best practices for preparing a scope of work is similar to almost every form or document type in the industries: be specific, use visuals and proof, and get signatures and important record keeping information right. Deliverables. The scope section focuses on how the goals are attained. Share it with your network! Similarly, an owner’s disclaimer of any warranty of the plans might limit the owner’s liability. This enables companies to get a broader view of the project as a whole. the client and the construction company. Know what is considered out-of-scope for a project. CODE COMPLIANCE Delivering a project successfully requires that the right stakeholders be involved at various stages of the project scope. Structural Scope of Work: 1. Not providing visuals and proof in the form of photos, drawings, PDFs also leaves room for interpretation, which can increase the likelihood of the same types of issues. For goods, this may include expected turnaround. In construction, the scope of work is a general term which is also called a statement of work sometimes and provides a description of the work that can be expected by the client which is performed under a general contract between the two i.e. When using subcontractors, the general contractor is responsible for the quality of all work performed by any and all of the hires. Scope of Work Few items in a construction contract are more important than a clear, well-defined scope of work that, in detail, outlines the work a contractor performs. Reinforcing the point above, it's critical that you are as explicit as possible with the details around the timeline and cost estimates. Scope of works are important documents, and they need to be treated accordingly. Information about required state and federal regulations and industry standards that apply. Tools and equipment necessary for the job. Without scope of works and statement of works, it would be unclear as to what was required and expected of project parties before and while they make million and billion dollar decisions about how to best move forward. Provide a consistent methodology for determining if all requirements have been met and avoid assumptions. These systems enable companies to eliminate the jumping back and forth between systems and asynchronous communication methods like phone and email. And not getting signoffs from all parties is an accident and issue just waiting to happen; it's critical for your own records and your own solvency that you cover your back by getting all of the necessary approvals formally agreed to in writing. Finally, the scope of work needs to identify all work to be done by others, including the owner, that needs to occur prior to or interface with the contractor’s scope of work. Was this document helpful? The best way to write a scope of work is to create a standardised scope of work framework which you can use and learn from on all of your projects, and improve it over time. Once incorporated, these additional documents become part of the contract. The scope lists things such as: There should also be a payment section that breaks down the cost as a whole or per individual task. Satisfaction clauses generally require that “the Work shall be completed to the satisfaction of the Owner” or “No payment shall be issued until the Owner is satisfied with the Work.” By agreeing to a satisfaction clause, a contractor risks unacceptable expansion to the scope of its work.