Contract sum
The contract sum is the price agreed with the contractor and entered into the contract. The agreed contract sum should be calculated and checked very carefully as errors are deemed to have been accepted by both parties.
However, the contract sum does not constitute a 'fixed price' even if the contract is described as a fixed price contract, a lump sum contract or a guaranteed maximum price contract. A truly fixed price would actually not be in the interests of the client as it would mean they could not make changes to the works, and would require that the contractor price risks over which they may have no control, and which might not arise.
As a result, contracts generally allow for the contract sum to be adjusted, for example:
- Variations.
- Fluctuations.
- Prime cost sums.
- Provisional sums.
- Payments to nominated sub-contractors or nominated suppliers.
- Statutory fees.
- Payments relating to opening up works for inspection and testing.
- Loss and expense.
When the contract sum is adjusted, this adjustment should be taken into account in the valuation of subsequent interim certificates.
Preparing the final account is the process of calculating and agreeing any adjustments to the contract sum at the end of the defects liability period so that the amount of the final payment to the contractor can be determined. The amount of the final payment is then set out in the final certificate (or final statement).
NB: It is possible for the final certificate to show that money is owed to the client, rather than due to the contractor.
Construction contracts may in fact not require the preparation of a final account, although they generally do require the contractor to provide all documents necessary for the adjustment of the contract sum within a specified time, and set out the time scale for, and consequences of, issuing the final certificate.
On contracts such as measurement contracts, the contract sum may not be known when the contract is entered into, but instead is calculated as the works progress based on some agreed method of measurement.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Accounting.
- Base date.
- Construction contract.
- Contract sum analysis.
- Difference between lump sum and measurement contracts.
- Escalation.
- Final account.
- Final certificate.
- Fluctuations.
- Hard costs v soft costs.
- Interim certificates.
- Opening up works for inspection and testing.
- Outturn cost.
- Payment schedule.
- Provisional sums.
- Right to payment.
- The difference between a prime cost and provisional sum.
- Variations.
- What is a final account.
[edit] External references
- JCT: Deciding on the appropriate JCT contract.
Featured articles and news
Listed despite problems with its design.
Zen and the art of cycling exploration.
Design Council Homes Taskforce launched
To support government 1.5 million homes target within UK climate commitments.
The story of this knowledge quarter building.
In ecology, in hydrology, in biology and in architecture.
Creating environments that promote physical, mental, and social well-being.
UK cases of neutral current diversion
Research project looks for example contributions.
Overstocking and macro-economics cause a decline.
The 2024 update of the Common Assessment Standard
Demonstrating organisational capability’ to fulfil roles under the Building Safety Act.
56 recommendations for a better built environment
Published by the CIC ahead of the King’s Speech.
SkillELECTRIC Top 8 Competitors Named
in annual search for the UK’s best student electrician.
CIOB Diversity and Inclusion technical information sheet
Step-by-step guide on implementing D and I practices.
Conservation and the Indian City. Book review.
Reversibility in conservation ethics
Learning from painting conservation.
Where It's AT Podcast launched!
New CIAT Architectural Technology Podcast goes live.