Picture this: A contractor is nearly finished with a major dam stabilization project, but a series of Owner-directed changes pushes the last phase of the work into late fall and early winter. Instead of working through the relatively dry conditions expected in the original schedule, the contractor is suddenly battling weeks of rain and freezing
weather delays
Top 7 Factors Affecting Labor Productivity Losses On A Construction Project
By Matthew DeVries on
Construction labor is always in the news. Last month, I wrote an article for the Nashville Business Journal challenging industry leaders on how to respond to the shortage of skilled labor in the area. Recently, the U.S. Department of Labor issued new overtime regulations, which no doubt will affect your workforce. When you deal…
Brrrrrr, It’s Cold! How to Best Prepare a Delay Claim for Unusually Severe Weather
By Matthew DeVries on
In anticipation of what could be an influx of wintry weather, the Tennessee Department of Transportation has made arrangements to ensure the state’s roadways stay clear. According to the Johnson City Press, TDOT has distributed more than 200,000 tons of salt and 2 million gallons of brine to stations in each of the state’s…
Constructive Changes and Acceleration on a Snow-Filled Project
By Matthew DeVries on
Posted in Best Practices, Federal Construction
Two weeks ago, I was scheduled to leave town for an out-of-country trip. But the snow storms in the Southeast crippled my layover city (Atlanta) on the eve before my travel date. So when I received a call from my airline indicating that my flight had been cancelled, the only option was to leave earlier…
Floods and Heavy Rains: How to Best Prepare a Delay Claim for Unusually Severe Weather
By Matthew DeVries on
Yesterday, highway and bridge contractors in Tennessee received an alert from from TDOT officials about the affect of heavy rain in the area: "I’m sure most are aware of the anticipated rise in the Mississippi River, but could you please share with all that are working in the Mississippi River area and the backwater areas…
Make Up Your Mind Mother Nature: Construction Law and Weather Delays
By Matthew DeVries on
Posted in Contract Docs, Legal Trends
My children have been mad at Mother Nature over the past month. One day … jeans, turtle necks and jackets. The next day … shorts and flip-flops. At least in the South we have not had to deal with 30 inches of snow like on the East Coast. That kind of weather can cripple a…