Online

30 September

11.30 - 12.00

Documentation for Additional Work

Additional work is one of the most frequent sources of disputes in construction projects. Disagreements often arise not only over whether a task qualifies as extra work, but also over the contractor’s documentation of the claim. Many construction contracts therefore impose detailed requirements on how the contractor must specify extra work on invoices, so the client can verify the basis of the claim and assess the reasonableness of the work performed and the associated costs. This event explores when such documentation is actually sufficient in practice, and what underlying evidence is typically required. It is aimed at professionals involved in construction projects, including contractors, clients, and contract managers, who want a clearer understanding of documentation standards for extra work and how to reduce the risk of conflicts.

About this briefing

This briefing provides a focused introduction to the legal and practical challenges associated with documenting extra work in construction and other contract-based projects. You will gain a clearer understanding of how to structure and prove claims for additional work so that they can withstand scrutiny from counterparties and, if necessary, arbitral tribunals or courts.

Who is it for?

The event is relevant for:

Contractors and subcontractors who perform extra work and need solid documentation
Clients/employers who must assess and approve (or reject) claims for extra work
Project managers, contract managers and site managers responsible for daily documentation
Advisers and others involved in drafting and administering construction and service contracts

What we will cover

During the briefing, we take a closer look at central legal rules and everyday practices around documentation of extra work, including:

Typical documentation requirements in contracts – what construction and other enterprise agreements usually demand in terms of written proof, notices and approvals when extra work is performed. [0]
How to register and document extra work in practice – from initial request or change order, through ongoing registration on site, to final documentation that supports your claim. [0]
The role of invoices, time sheets and supporting documents – why detailed invoicing, accurate time registration, appendices and continuous follow-up are crucial when demonstrating scope, time consumption and costs. [0]
Arbitral practice on insufficient documentation – what case law typically says when documentation is incomplete or unclear, and how this affects the outcome of disputes. [0]
Typical disputes between client and contractor – recurring points of disagreement about whether work is actually “extra”, whether it was ordered correctly, and whether it has been documented well enough. [0]
How both sides can strengthen their position – practical advice for both contractors and clients on improving internal procedures, communication and documentation routines related to extra work. [0]

Learning outcomes

After the briefing, participants will be better able to:

Identify which documentation requirements typically apply to extra work under enterprise contracts
Establish or refine practical routines for registering and documenting extra work on an ongoing basis
Use invoices, time sheets and appendices more strategically as evidence
Assess the risk of disputes arising from insufficient documentation
Handle disagreements between client and contractor in a more structured and well-documented way

Format and practical information

This is a concentrated briefing designed to give you actionable knowledge in a relatively short time frame. The focus is on combining legal insight with concrete, everyday examples from practice, so you can immediately apply the learning in your own projects.