Construction Scope of Works

The scope of works is a critical component of any construction contract

  • Scope of works is a detailed document that defines a subcontractor's responsibilities in a construction project.

  • It covers both scope and risk allocation, which are crucial for successful project delivery.

  • A scope of works document should contain general project requirements, specific scope and responsibilities, and relevant attachments.

Learn how to Write a Scope of Works!

Our Construction Procurement Management course covers the end to end process of finding and selecting construction contractors

What is a Scope of Works?

The scope of works document defines in detail what a subcontractor is required to do and is a key commercial document that serves as the basis for the contract. The document needs to have a high level of detail and needs to clearly define a subcontractor's specific responsibilities, which can be broken down into scope and risk.

The scope of works needs to contain a general introduction to the project, a general scope detailing the project requirements, a specific scope and responsibilities section, and a list of all relevant attachments. The document is written by the delivery team and is typically a template document that is populated with specific information.

When defining the scope of a subcontractor's work, four components need to be clearly listed out: the deliverables, the staging and timing of the works, the performance standards, and any important exclusions. To properly manage risk, we must define who is responsible for managing and bearing the consequences of unexpected events or circumstances.

To illustrate this, as an example for an in-situ concrete scope of works. Potential subcontractors need to understand the extent of the works, the methodology, the staging of the works, whether testing and quality assurance documentation are required, and any exclusions.

In conclusion, the scope of works is a crucial document in construction projects that clearly defines a subcontractor's specific responsibilities and manages risk. A detailed and well-constructed scope of works can help ensure a successful project delivery.