Construction

Methods and
Project
Management
Field Observation, Reports and Disputes
BRIEF BACKGROUND
Construction observation refers to the observation of construction work and
site visits by an architect, landscape architect, or engineer to assist the governing
body in determining that the work complies with the construction contract's
requirements in general, and that the contractor has implemented and maintained
the integrity of the project's design concept as a functioning whole as indicated. For
this module, we will be exploring the principles and concepts of Field Observations
typically done in construction such as inspection and punchlisting. these two has an
importance in the duration of the project. Also this topic will includes generation of
reports and dealing some disputes that arises in the construction

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OBJECTIVE OF THE TOPIC
At the end of this topic the students will:

1. Explain the concept Project Field Observation

2. Distinguish the different disputes in construction
3. Generate Construction Reports
4. Elaborate the concept of Site Inspection and Punchlisting

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TOPIC OUTLINE
For this topic it will discuss the following:

Part 1: Field Observation

Site Inspection
Punch listing
Part 2: Reports
Part 3: Construction Disputes

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FIELD OBSERVATION
A function of the Architect/Engineer in the construction phase, during his periodic
visits to the site, to familiarize himself generally with the progress and quality of the
work, and to determine in general if the work is proceeding in accordance with the
contract documents.

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FIELD OBSERVATION
When field operations begin, the order in which the project proceeds is in
accordance with an approved job plan. During the construction period,
advancement of the work is monitored by measuring and reporting field progress at
regular intervals.

The construction contractor or another party who will be directly involved in the
field operations normally prepares this ‘‘contractor’s estimate.’’

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SITE INSPECTION
Site inspection ensures that the risks of dealing with unknown site conditions are
usually addressed and typically impose upon the contractor the duty of site
investigation and the assumption of responsibility for bearing the cost of conditions
that a bidder who is performing a reasonable prebid investigation may encounter.

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SITE INSPECTION
Every job-site inspection, for whatever purpose, needs to have a quality and safety
component included. Special attention is required to incorporate quality programs
with subcontractors. The subcontractor selection process needs to be based on
quality prequalification issues before price is considered.

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PUNCHLISTING
The punch list. is a document showing work that still needs to be done on a
construction project. Listing of items requiring immediate attention” and as a
“Document listing work that does not conform to contract specifications, usually
attached to the certificate of substantial completion. The contractor must correct
the punch list work before receiving payment.”

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PUNCHLISTING
Additionally, a punch list might include specifications on damages to other materials
or items that occurred during construction and must now be fixed.

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PUNCHLISTING
It must be made clear to all parties that there is a common interest in punching out
a project. Retainage for the entire project may be withheld byan owner because of
one to two subcontractors being unable to promptly complete their punch-list work.
As a result, all subcontractors suffer the consequences.

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PUNCHLISTING
Certain procedures can be established upfront to make the punch-list portion of the
project close-out finish more smoothly.

A stated zero-tolerance policy toward the punch list with a goal of producing
a punch list–free job.

A formal inspection of each trade’s work to be conducted by the project

superintendent prior to a subcontractor’s demobilization, at which time
any punch-list items not already corrected by their supervisor will be
prepared for immediate action. (This is prior to an official inspection by
the design consultants to prepare the “contract” punch list.)

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PUNCHLISTING

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PUNCHLIST OR WARRANTY?
An owner or architect may, at times, consider an item punch list when it
should more correctly be determined warranty work.

Remember that a punch list represents contract work that was not completed or
improperly installed, or that was rejected because of nonconformance with the
contract documents.

A warranty item, on the other hand, applies to a part, equipment, or material that
has been furnished and installed and which complies with the contract documents,
but that fails and must be either replaced or repaired.

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CONSTRUCTION REPORTS
A report is a written document that provides information. In the construction
industry, reports are typically formal documents that provide information about key
events, project stages or processes to a client, local authority, purchaser and so on.

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CONSTRUCTION REPORTS
A report is a written document that provides information. In the construction
industry, reports are typically formal documents that provide information about key
events, project stages or processes to a client, local authority, purchaser and so on.

In creating report it should be

Clear / Formal
Simplified
Accurate
Timeliness
Precise
Legible
Direct to the Point

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CONSTRUCTION REPORTS
Accident Report

An incident report is a formal document that details the facts related to an incident
at the workplace. The report usually relates to an accident or injury that has
occurred on the worksite, but it can also pertain to any unusual worksite
occurrences such as near misses, security lapses, property and equipment damage,
and health and safety issues.

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CONSTRUCTION REPORTS
Progress Report

The reporting of work advancement in the field is accomplished by listing those

activities that started, finished, or were in progress during the week just ended and
indicating their stages of completion at the cutoff date. Also noted are the dates on
which activities either started or finished during the reporting period.

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CONSTRUCTION REPORTS
Final report for construction works

A final report is prepared by the contract administrator at the end at the end of the
defects liability period once all defects have been rectified.

The final report should provide a summary of activities during the construction
phase, describing:

The works that have been completed.

The variations that have been agreed.
Claims for loss and expense or extension of time that have been agreed.
The original contract sum.
The final account.
The completion date.
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CONSTRUCTION REPORTS
Final report for construction works

It is useful if both parties to the contract sign off the financial aspects of the report
as representing the full and final settlement for the contract.

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CONSTRUCTION REPORTS
Cost reporting

Cost reporting is a process used to inform a client (or other party) about the
magnitude of a construction project’s predicted, or actual cost. This can be
expressed either in absolute terms or as a variance compared to the project budget.

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CONSTRUCTION REPORTS
End of contract report

Once the defects liability period has ended and the final account has been agreed,
it is advisable for the contract administrator or construction manager to prepare an
end of contract report (or post contract report).
An end of contract report can be useful for a number of reasons:

In the public sector, the politics of public scrutiny can lead to questions of audit,
proprietary and transparency long after the project is completed.
On all projects unanticipated legal proceedings can require the history of a
project to be examined.
It can provide a useful reference document chronicling the contractor’s
performance. This can be helpful when considering whether to employ that
contractor again.
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CONSTRUCTION DISPUTES
Construction disputes arise because of disagreements between the parties on a
contract. They are due to a perceived or real violation of a construction contract
and the obligations set forth therein.

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CONSTRUCTION DISPUTES
The most common source of construction disputes was errors and omissions.
Differing conditions ranked second and failure to understand or comply
with the contract requirements, be it the failure of owner, GC, or subcontractor,
ranked third. It also found that the three most common methods of dispute
resolution were (1) party-to-party negotiations, (2) mediation,
and (3) arbitration.

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CONSTRUCTION DISPUTES
What Triggers Claims and Disputes?
The principal reasons for misunderstandings leading to disputes and claims
are as follows:
■Plans and specifications containing errors, omissions, and ambiguities,
or which lack the proper degree of coordination
■Incomplete or inaccurate responses or nonresponses to questions—
or resolutions of problems—presented by one party in the contract to
another party in the contract
■The inadequate administration of responsibilities by the owner, architect/
engineer, contractor, subcontractors, or vendors
■ An unwillingness or inability to comply with the intent of the contract or
to adhere to industry standards in the performance of work
■Site conditions that differ materially from those described in the contract
documents
■Unforeseen subsurface conditions 28
SUMMARY
• Field Observation is A function of the Architect/Engineer in the construction
phase, during his periodic visits to the site, to familiarize himself generally with
the progress and quality of the work, and to determine in general if the work is
proceeding in accordance with the contract documents.

• Every job-site inspection, for whatever purpose, needs to have a quality and
safety component included

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DISCUSSION

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REFERENCES
Mubarak, S. (2015). Construction project scheduling and control (3rd ed.)

Sears, S. K., Sears, G. A. Clough, R. H. (2008). Construction project management_A

practical guide to field construction management (5th ed.)

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