References

Context

Engaged to audit the contractual management database of a tramway project already showing 18% cost overruns and delays threatening penalties, Argos Construction exposed process and methodology weaknesses. By demonstrating that the contractor was not solely responsible for the delays, penalties were avoided and a claim for additional compensation could even be presented.

Mission

Audit of the contract information system

Objectives

• Analysis of contract documents and information sources
• Review of pricing and claim topics
• Status report with recommendations

Stakes

• Justification of cost overruns of €6M on a €34M contract

Results

Team awareness raised; tools improved and rolled out for tracking disruptions, enabling a claim for additional compensation

Context

On a painting contract where any change weighs directly on labour, late hand-over of work areas had stretched the schedule by 37% — but the team, inexperienced in contract management, could not substantiate it. Argos Construction's presentation of the claim convinced the Owner of the contractor's rigour and led to new contracts.

Mission

Preparation of a claim for additional compensation

Objectives

• Justification of work-window shifts caused by disruptions
• Establishment of cost-overrun and damages pricing

Stakes

• 3-month extension on an initial 8-month schedule
• €100k of additional compensation on a €300k contract

Results

Claim initially rejected. Assistance with case follow-up and management of forfeiture deadlines. Settlement negotiated at €60k

Context

After the claim for additional compensation was rejected at the general account stage, the small contractor referred the matter to the Administrative Court. Argos Construction's intervention as technical adviser alongside counsel helped secure €85k out of the €100k claimed.

Mission

Claim memorandum — draft final account

Objectives

• Justification of additional works and time extension
• Analysis of the impact on resource mobilisation
• Establishment of cost-overrun and damages pricing

Stakes

• 1-month time extension on an initial 5-month schedule
• €100k of additional compensation on a €200k contract

Results

Administrative Court ruling: €85k

Context

Numerous changes during design had generated a significant volume of additional studies, but the client felt the impact was confined to the detailed-design phase. Argos Construction's analysis demonstrated that the main impact was on the preliminary-design phase, justifying the full cost overruns and securing €1.2M of additional compensation on a €2.8M contract.

Mission

Claim for additional compensation — changes to the specifications

Objectives

• Impact of changes on preliminary studies
• Review and complement of cost-overrun pricing

Stakes

• 6-month extension of the preliminary design studies
• €1.2M of additional compensation on a €2.8M contract

Results

Settlement formalised by amendment for €1.2M

Context

Six months after the earthworks began, daily site tensions were preventing the team from calmly grasping the limits of the lump-sum contract. The factual status report drawn up by Argos Construction refocused energy on the high-stake issues and revitalised contract management, leading to a settlement on the claim for additional compensation.

Mission

Preparation of a claim for additional compensation

Objectives

• Contractual analysis and status report
• Determination of entitlement to time extension
• Drafting of the claim for additional compensation

Stakes

• Formalisation of the time entitlement "consumed" by the events and their consequences known as of 18 July 2016: 2.4 weeks
• €1,359,569 (excl. tax) overrun versus the initial budget

Results

Claim for additional compensation finalised as of 18 July 2016

Context

Despite significant disruptions, the joint venture in charge of track-laying and overhead-line works (€200M) completed the project without jeopardising the train commissioning date. Argos Construction's analysis brought to light critical disruptions previously unidentified, allowing more than €10M in delay penalties to be challenged.

Mission

Claim for additional compensation relating to disruptions

Objectives

• Delay analysis and substantiation of entitlements
• Review and complement of cost-overrun pricing
• Drafting of the memorandum to be attached to the draft final account

Stakes

• 6 months of time extension to be substantiated
• €10M of delay penalties
• €30M of cost overruns

Results

Under discussion

Context

Faced with non-compliant geological conditions and changes imposed from the start of excavation, the joint venture had presented two memoranda totalling €20M, accepted at only 10% by the Owner. Argos Construction's independent review, establishing €10.1M as the negotiated baseline, led to a signed amendment for €9.6M.

Mission

Preparation of an Argos-headed report

Objectives

• Review of claims as part of the negotiation of an amendment

Stakes

• €20M presented by the joint venture, reassessed at €10M by Argos Construction

Results

€9.6M

Context

The refurbishment of this high-end hotel complex is now expected to run 6.5 months late, due to numerous client changes and the failure of contractors holding key trade packages. The electrical contractor (€21M) engaged Argos Construction to prepare a provisional statement of cost overruns to support negotiations for an amendment.

Mission

Preparation of a provisional statement of cost overruns and damages

Objectives

• Contractual and delay analysis
• Review and complement of cost-overrun and damages pricing

Stakes

• 6.5-month extension on an initial 21-month schedule
• €3.8M of cost overruns

Results

Discussions ongoing

Context

The conversion of this Parisian building into a 5-star hotel (€6M, 14 months) suffered a 7-month delay across all trades, entirely due to late input data and constant changes outside the joint venture's control. Argos Construction prepared the claim memorandum for €1.2M of cost overruns, while the Owner intends to apply €860k in delay penalties.

Mission

Preparation of a claim for additional compensation

Objectives

• Analysis of contract documents and contemporaneous records
• Analysis of cumulative delay impacts
• Quantification of cost overruns and drafting of the memorandum

Stakes

• 7-month delay on an initial 14-month schedule (+50%)
• €1.2M on an initial €6M contract (20%)