7 Critical Mistakes Engineers and Architects Make During Project Negotiation and Execution: Mistake #5

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May 30, 2017
Author: Melissa Brumback
Organization: RAGSDALE LIGGETT

Author: Melissa Dewey Brumback is an AV-rated partner in the Raleigh, North Carolina law firm of Ragsdale Liggett, where she concentrates her practice on complex construction, commercial, and business litigation. For more information: https://constructionlawnc.com/contact-information/

Mistake #5 Failing To Have A Quality Document Retention System

Related to the change order and RFI process, your firm should have a quality document retention system in place for every project.  This should include keeping uniform procedures for storing documents, deciding whether or not electronic documents are printed, determining where on the hard drive documents will be saved, and requiring timely filing of all incoming documents. 

First, such a system will help your entire team be more productive and efficient, and it will help prevent anything from falling through the cracks.  Second, if you get sued, it will be much easier for your lawyer to find the pertinent key project documents.  If you save documents one way and your project superintendant another way, confusion is created.  If a project employee only saves documents to his personal laptop and he subsequently leaves your employment, that data may be lost forever.  A good document retention system can save you many hours of headache in the event of a lawsuit.

Mistake #1 Not Treating The Contract Seriously
Mistake #2 Allowing Unfair Or One-Sided Contract Terms To Persist
Mistake #3 Not Choosing The Proper Dispute Resolution Method
Mistake #4 Failing To Have Good Change Order and/or Failing to Have a Good Request for Information Processes
Mistake #5 Failing To Have A Quality Document Retention System
Mistake #6 Failing To Respond Properly To Claims Of Errors & Omission
Mistake #7 Failing To Involve Insurance Company & Lawyer At First Time Of Trouble

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