Addendum
In a contract, the rights and obligations are created by the acts of agreement between the parties to the contract. English law does not require a particular form to contracts, and so the terms and ultimately the risk allocation are the choice of the parties involved.
Standard Form Contracts (SFC) aim to minimise the time and cost of creating contracts, but modifications may still be required. These provisions generally come in the form of amendments, but they can also come as an addendum. These two vehicles are similar, but they are structured differently and are used in different situations.
In its simplest form, an amendment is a change to an existing contract. In some cases, it may become necessary to amend a contract due to unforeseen circumstances. For instance, if certain clauses become obsolete or the industry changes and requires the inclusion of new terms, amendments may be required.
An addendum (or the plural, addenda) is written information that has been added to the original agreement. The information in an addendum is usually incorporated into the contract when the contract is executed.
Examples of addenda in construction contracts include:
- Acceleration agreements. It is common for acceleration agreements or costs to be treated as an addendum to the building contract. Sometimes acceleration agreements can be negotiated as an addendum to the contract in lieu of extensions of time caused by elements constituting client’s risk.
- BIM addendum. This addendum may provide for an information management structure, an information manager, a BIM execution plan and BIM protocols. There may also be a risk allocation and insurance provisions in relation to infringement of copyright and data loss.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Spring Statement 2025 with reactions from industry
Confirming previously announced funding, and welfare changes amid adjusted growth forecast.
Scottish Government responds to Grenfell report
As fund for unsafe cladding assessments is launched.
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Architects Academy at an insulation manufacturing facility
Programme of technical engagement for aspiring designers.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.
The restoration of the novelist’s birthplace in Eastwood.
Life Critical Fire Safety External Wall System LCFS EWS
Breaking down what is meant by this now often used term.
PAC report on the Remediation of Dangerous Cladding
Recommendations on workforce, transparency, support, insurance, funding, fraud and mismanagement.
New towns, expanded settlements and housing delivery
Modular inquiry asks if new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing.
Building Engineering Business Survey Q1 2025
Survey shows growth remains flat as skill shortages and volatile pricing persist.
Construction contract awards remain buoyant
Infrastructure up but residential struggles.
Warm Homes Plan and existing energy bill support policies
Breaking down what existing policies are and what they do.
A dynamic brand built for impact stitched into BSRIA’s building fabric.