Developers and Renovation

Building Contract Dispute, Extra Cost or Delay?

Understand what is owed, what can be challenged and what route is available before further cost is incurred.

30+

years' construction
industry experience

MRICS

Chartered Quantity
Surveyor

MCIArb

Chartered Institute
of Arbitrators

JCT, NEC, FIDIC

and bespoke
contracts

When this support helps

We help small developers, property renovators and refurbishment clients understand what is owed, what can be challenged and what commercial route is available.

This service is for extension, refurbishment and development projects where the cost, timing or contractor relationship has started to move away from what was agreed.

Typical Client Situations

Situations We Support

Typical situations include:

  • The builder or main contractor is asking for more money than expected
  • The quote, contract or scope is unclear
  • The invoice does not match the work completed
  • The project is delayed or completion keeps moving
  • Workmanship, defects or snagging are disputed
  • Variations or extras have not been properly agreed
  • You are unsure whether to pay, withhold or challenge an invoice
  • Finance, refinance, resale or rental dates are under pressure
  • The builder or main contractor is threatening to stop work or walk off site
  • The final account cannot be agreed

What we review

We review the commercial position using the project information available. This typically includes the quote, contract, scope of works, invoices, payment history, correspondence, programme, photographs, defects list and any variation or extra cost claims.

Contract and Cost Review

Contract and Cost Risk Identified

The review can help identify:

  • What was originally agreed
  • What has changed
  • What has been paid
  • What is being claimed
  • What appears disputed
  • What evidence is missing
  • What can be challenged
  • What the next commercial step should be

What you receive

You receive a clear commercial summary of the project issue and the recommended next steps.

Written Position Summary

Your Position in Writing

The summary can identify:

  • The cost or payment issue
  • The delay, completion or workmanship issue
  • The documents and records that support your position
  • The parts of the builder's claim or invoice that may need to be challenged
  • The commercial response to consider
  • The options for negotiation, settlement or escalation
Engagement

Project Support Retainer

  1. Developer & Renovation Project Support

    Ongoing Commercial Control on Site

    From £1,000/month

    For extensions, refurbishments, renovations and small developments where disputed costs, delayed works, unclear scope, workmanship issues or builder payment demands need clear commercial control.

    Project Cost and Builder Dispute Support

    You receive ongoing commercial support to review the project cost position, identify what appears payable, what can be challenged, and set out the next commercial steps before further payments are made or the dispute escalates.

    Support may include:

    • The project cost position
    • The payment or invoice issue
    • The quote, contract or scope position
    • The extra cost or variation position
    • The work completed against the sums claimed
    • The delay or completion position
    • Costs arising from disputed workmanship, defects or snagging
    • The final account or retention position
    • The supporting records available
    • The further records or substantiation required
    • Payment, withholding or escalation risks
    • The recommended commercial response
    • The negotiation, settlement or escalation route

Common project situations

We can support clients where the project involves:

Projects We Support

Where Commercial Support Adds Value

Project types include:

  • Home extensions and larger domestic building projects
  • Major refurbishments or renovations
  • Loft conversions and structural alterations
  • Small residential developments
  • Buy-to-refurbish or resale projects
  • Projects funded by bridging finance, refinance or private lending
  • Delayed projects affecting sale, rental or refinancing plans
  • Building contract disputes where the contract, quote or scope is unclear
ICRS Consult

Credentials and Experience

ICRS Consult brings more than 30 years of construction experience across commercial management, contracts, claims, disputes, adjudication and expert appointments.

30+
years' construction
industry experience
MRICS
Chartered Quantity
Surveyor
MCIArb
Chartered Institute
of Arbitrators
JCT, NEC, FIDIC
and bespoke
contracts
  • LLM in Construction Law and Arbitration
  • Expert appointments in arbitration, litigation and adjudication
  • Expert witness in professional negligence proceedings
  • Advanced Professional Award in Expert Witness Evidence
  • UK and Middle East project experience across JCT, NEC and FIDIC contracts
Client Feedback

What Our Clients Say

Very experienced in claims preparation and defence and has provided valuable advice on complex contractual matters. I would recommend the professional and strategic approach to the resolution of construction claims and disputes.

Contracts ManagerInternational Rail Contractor

His technical understanding, level of investigation, and analysis together with the ability to come up with the substance of the case undoubtedly make him the best choice of consultant in the field.

Commercial ManagerM&E subcontractor

Highly experienced in the preparation of construction claims. He produced a very clear and comprehensive EOT claim for us.

Commercial ManagerInternational Main Contractor

A highly experienced claims practitioner who has an in-depth understanding of complex construction claims.

General ManagerMain Contractor

I reviewed an EOT claim prepared by Matt and his team. It was to a high standard which made it easy to follow and evaluate.

Senior Project ManagerDeveloper
Selected matters

Case Studies

These matters are examples of ICRS appointments in this area. Each case summarises the issue, ICRS's involvement, the work delivered and the outcome.

Case study

Contractual Defence to a Substantial Damage Claim

Contractual defence limited a £279,000 damages claim to a minimal commercial settlement.

Client
HVAC subcontractor
Issue
A substantial damages claim arose following an incident during the construction period.
Case study

Final Account Adjudication for a Painting Subcontractor

The adjudicator awarded £184,000 and interest in the final account adjudication.

Client
Specialist painting and surface preparation subcontractor
Party representation
Referring Party
Issue
The final account dispute concerned original works, variations and other works.
Case study

Delay and Disruption Adjudication for a Cladding Subcontractor

Approximately 65% of the £2 million delay and disruption claim was dismissed.

Client
Major specialist cladding and curtain walling subcontractor
Party representation
Responding Party
Issue
The main contractor advanced a claim of approximately £2 million for alleged delay and disruption on a commercial office development.

Discuss your project position

Speak to ICRS about the cost position, the delay or workmanship issue and the records available.

The initial discussion is free of charge.

Developer Support

Send Us Your Details

Name, email and a few lines about your project is enough. We will come back to you within 24 hours.