References

Context

Faced with severe difficulties marketing second-home developments in the middle of a downturn, the developer needed reliable completion forecasts for its 14 programmes and a financing plan for its banks. The engagement led to a winding-up followed by a programme-by-programme rescue.

Mission

Diagnostic

Objectives

• Completion forecasts for the 14 ongoing programmes with financing needs
• Project management support to continue the works

Stakes

• €30M of commitments across 10 banks

Context

Brought in on a project already running twelve months late, Argos Construction established a clear view of the situation and prepared the elements of the claim, leading to financial compensation awarded by the court. The case illustrates what proactive contract management and the right tools could have prevented.

Mission

Contractual analysis and claim

Objectives

• Analysis of contract documents and the technical file
• Review of pricing and assistance with drafting the claim memorandum
• Assistance with defending the claim

Stakes

• 390 days of time extension on an initial 22-month schedule
• €174,940 on a €1.9M contract

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

Mission

Review of compensation claims — water main (ICC arbitration)

Objectives

• Delay analysis per structure and quantum of cost overruns
• Drafting and presentation of the memorandum
• Participation in arbitral hearings (ICC)

Stakes

• Delay of 19.3 months on an initial 27-month schedule
• €128M on a €108M contract

Results

To come.

Context

The Independent Business Review carried out by Argos Construction defined a three-year business plan, but the funding requirement proved too high for the shareholder, who withdrew. The company entered receivership, leading to two separate sale plans for the utilities and earthworks businesses.

Mission

Diagnostic

Objectives

• Economic and financial diagnostic (organisation, risks, business plan)
• Funding-needs study and information memorandum for sale

Stakes

• €150M revenue, 850 employees

Context

Setting up contract management from the outset made it possible to record every event and send regular reports to the Owner. Amendments and cost overruns were settled immediately, avoiding any dispute.

Mission

Preparatory review and claim memorandum

Objectives

• Contractual analysis and identification of delay-related issues
• Establishment of cost-overrun pricing
• Preparation of the claim for additional compensation

Stakes

• Schedule of 24 months versus an initial 20 months
• €4M of additional compensation + €150k waiver of penalties on a €38M (excl. tax) contract

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

Mission

Review of damages following contract termination (ICC arbitration)

Objectives

• Review of contract documents and opinion on pricing
• Participation in cross-examination before the Arbitral Tribunal

Stakes

• €91M contract, claims of €40M.

Results

To come.

Context

At the guarantor's request, Argos Construction prepared the forecasts that supported a takeover as interim manager. The firm then guided the recovery over two years, co-building the action plan and operating the management dashboards.

Mission

Diagnostic and steering

Objectives

• Operational and financial diagnostic
• Development of dashboards and modelling tools

Stakes

• €135M revenue, 55 employees