This tip looks at how to best document owner supplied items and present their conditions in the Specification.
Many projects have some items supplied by the owner. This can happen because the owner can get a good price, or the owner knows the supplier, or other such reason.
But the reason for the owner supplied items is not relevant. It is how it is all documented that can mean the difference between a straightforward process or complications which can cost extra money.
Ideally, there should be no owner supplied items because it always puts some risk on everyone including the designer. Common risks include the owner not delivering the items on time, and damage to the items upon delivery.
It must be documented (usually in the Specification) the following:
- Agreement as to when the items will be delivered,
- Who delivers and who unloads the items,
- At what point does the builder take responsibility for the items,
- Builder is to inspect for defects at point of delivery,
- Who is responsible for defects at point of delivery and after that,
- The builder is to provide for connection of services (if applicable to the item).
Without these sorts of things covered clearly in your documents, there is bound to be some argument if things don’t run smoothly with the owner supplied items, usually resulting in someone paying (it might be you) for the muck-ups that might happen.
