Midway through a project, we were brought in by a Sub Contractor (working for a Tier 1 Contractor). At that point, there was a notable account delta, and the relationship had become strained. Our main goal was to resolve the discrepancies and regain the client’s trust. We adopted the strategy of:

• Assessing the individual account differences’ pros and cons.
• Assessing account differences led to revising and resubmitting weaker claim items.
• Demonstrate independence (from the previous client representative’s) by excluding unsupported claims, fostering trust and engagement to resolve the impasse.

The client eventually responded to our efforts, resulting in an agreement on most of the previously disputed items. Thereafter we ensured accurate records were maintained and communicated consistently, scheduling regular meetings to address any new differences promptly.

The additional benefit that our client appreciated was the subsequent reinstatement on to the approved tender list, thus facilitating potential future opportunities.

Our philosophy is that payment disputes are bad for all parties and can be minimised if the following practices are adopted.

Clear communication & early engagement – Maintain open discussions about progress, changes and costs throughout a project to avoid major surprises. Promptly initiate senior leadership negotiations as soon as payment disputes emerge to find common ground.

Willingness to compromise – Seek reasonable compromise settlements rather than entrenched win-lose positions to conserve cashflow.

Precise contracts – Well-drafted, unambiguous contracts with clear final account and payment terms minimise uncertainty.

Poor record keeping – this leads to discrepancies in final account understanding between parties. It is my experience with final accounts settlement that well deduced site records usually play an essential role in achieving a satisfactory outcome.

Accordingly, it is imperative that the personnel responsible for formulating these records have a working contractual understanding, because when administered correctly, this appreciably disrupts any attempt by the client to undermine the maximum payment entitlement. At the earliest opportunity with the client’s permission, I usually aid with the collation and optimal phrasing of records and can also provide template documents to help with this process. When payment dispute arise it is often easier for an expert not previously associated with the disputed issues to bring both parties together to facilitate an equitable settlement without the need for protracted legal proceedings and salvaging a business relationship for the future.

We understand you may have questions about our services. Here are some of the most common inquiries we receive, along with detailed answers to help you better understand what we offer.