Baseline schedule
Establish what the original programme required, including planned milestones and agreed completion dates.
Explore related serviceAW Construction Law / Construction Delay Claims
Construction delays can change the entire project.
When a project falls behind schedule, the cause, timing and contract terms matter. Explore how construction delay claims can involve time extensions, disrupted work, additional costs and competing responsibilities.
Understanding Schedule Disputes
The timeline matters. So does the contract.
Delays may arise from changes in scope, limited site access, material delivery, sequencing issues or circumstances beyond a party’s control. A delay claim often turns on whether an event actually affected completion, how it was documented and what the contract requires.
These disputes frequently overlap with construction contracts, change order disputes and payment disputes. The available remedies depend on the facts, contract provisions and applicable law.
Common Delay Claim Issues
Six issues to examine before assigning responsibility.
Each one should be evaluated against the project schedule, correspondence and contractual obligations.
Change-driven delays
Evaluate whether approved changes, additional work or revised scope affected the critical sequence of activities.
Explore related serviceSite access and coordination
Review delivery constraints, access restrictions, trade sequencing and the parties responsible for coordination.
Explore related serviceNotice and time extensions
Examine contractual notice procedures, extension requests and communications made when delays occurred.
Explore related serviceDisruption and added costs
Organize records of extended supervision, idle time, labor inefficiency and costs claimed because work was disrupted.
Explore related serviceConcurrent delay and responsibility
Understand how overlapping delay events, project records and contract language may affect the analysis.
Explore related service
Documenting a Delay
Build the timeline from records, not recollection.
Contemporaneous project documents can help clarify which events occurred, when they happened and how they may have affected planned activities.
- Baseline and updated construction schedules
- Daily reports, site logs and meeting minutes
- RFIs, change orders, notices and correspondence
- Labor, equipment, material and cost records
Related Legal Services
Schedule problems often involve other contract issues.
Read about the related services that may be relevant to your project.
Construction Contracts
Review schedule clauses, notice obligations and risk allocation.
Explore serviceChange Order Disputes
Connect scope changes with the project schedule.
Explore serviceConstruction Litigation
Explore formal claims when project disagreements escalate.
Explore serviceBreach of Contract
Consider contractual performance and potential remedies.
Explore serviceWho We Help
Different roles. Different schedule obligations.
Explore concerns tied to your place in the construction project.
Contractors
Understand time extensions, project records and owner-caused disruptions.
Explore guidanceSubcontractors
Address trade sequencing, delayed access and subcontract notices.
Explore guidanceProperty Owners
Evaluate delayed delivery and scheduling obligations.
Explore guidanceDevelopers
Review milestone risk, schedule impacts and overlapping responsibilities.
Explore guidanceConstruction Law Insights
Learn more about delays and construction contract disputes.
Our practical guides cover scheduling concerns, change orders and contract enforcement in greater detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about construction delays.
What is a construction delay claim?
A construction delay claim is a dispute or request concerning an effect on the project schedule, which may include additional time, additional costs, or responsibility for missed milestones. The contract and project facts determine the available options.
What records help support a delay claim?
Preserve baseline and updated schedules, daily reports, correspondence, change orders, notice letters, labor records, meeting minutes and contemporaneous photographs.
Does every delay justify more time or money?
No. Whether time or compensation is available depends on the cause of the delay, the contract provisions, notice requirements, evidence and applicable law.
What if more than one party contributed to the delay?
Overlapping events can complicate responsibility and damages. A careful review of activity sequencing, records and contract terms is typically needed.
Are notice deadlines the same for all projects?
No. Deadlines and procedures may vary by contract, project type and governing jurisdiction. Review the agreement promptly when a delay is identified.
AW Construction Law
Know what the schedule says. Understand your options.
If a delay has raised concerns about time, cost or project obligations, share the details with the office to discuss possible next steps.
Contact AW Construction Law