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Provisional sum
A provisional sum is an allowance, usually estimated by the cost consultant, that is inserted into
tender documents for a specific element of the works that is not yet defined in enough detail for
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tenderers to price. This, together with a brief description, allows tenderers to apply mark up and
Architects instruction.
attendance costs within their overall tender price and make allowance for the work in the contract
Attendance.
programme.
Bill of quantities.
Construction contract.
An example of a situation where a provisional sum might be appropriate is when work is required
below an existing structure, where the ground conditions cannot be determined until the existing
structure is demolished and the ground opened up.
Contract sum.
Contract sum analysis.
Equipment.
Extension of time.
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Provisional sums are provided for in different ways in different forms of contract, and some forms
of contract can be a little vague about how provisional sums should be handled, in particular
regarding adjustments to the programme.
Provisional sums place either the contractor or the client at risk of unexpected costs or delays.
Agreeing the cost of such work or extensions of time that might be claimed can result in tension
Skills gap
between the contractor and client. For this reason, they should only be used as a last resort,
they should not be an easy fall-back position for consultants (who are not bearing any of the risk)
when designs are incomplete or information is difficult to obtain. The risks are significant enough
that the NEC Engineering and Construction Contract (NEC3) does not have any allowance for
provisional sums.
Provisional sums should not be confused with prime cost sums, which are allowances for the
supply of work or materials to be provided by a contractor or supplier nominated by the client.
Prime cost sums might include items that have already been purchased by the client, such as
equipment, or a specific installation by a company with a strong existing relationship with a client
organisation.
Architects instruction.
Attendance.
Bill of quantities.
Construction contract.
Contract sum.
Contract sum analysis.
Equipment.
http://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Provisional_sum
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Extension of time.
Final account.
Named subcontractor.
NEC3
Preliminaries.
Prime cost sum.
Project programme.
Tender.
Tender documents.
External references
Practical Law Company: Ask the team, what are provisional sums?
(http://construction.practicallaw.com/blog/construction/plc/?p=402)
Expressway Ltd v Carillion Construction Ltd 2006
(http://www.casecheck.co.uk/CaseLaw.aspx?EntryID=12992) - the meaning of provisional
sum.
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