The days of a simple handshake holding the various parties involved in a project nowadays belong to a bygone era. In the building industry, in particular, entering any contract – small or large – without a formal contract is a recipe for disaster, says Uwe Putlitz, CEO of the Joint Buildling Contracts Committee (JBCC).

“A building or construction contract is a binding agreement between the employer for the building project and the building contractor and sub-contractors responsible for carrying out the construction work. JBCC has developed and authored a comprehensive suite of building contracts, meticulously drafted to comply to South African conditions and legislation, and to ensure equitable distribution of contractual risk,” Putlitz explained.

JBCC is a non-profit company which represents building owners and developers, professional consultants, and general and specialist contractors who provide input for the compilation of JBCC documents that portray the consensus view of the constituent members.

JBCC documents carry Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) approval.

 

Training opportunity

JBCC will stage two seminars on the Principal Building Agreement and Nominated/Selected Subcontract agreement in Gauteng later this year.

The seminars will be presented from 8:00 to 16:30 on 7 September at the Johannesburg Country Club in Auckland Park, and 25 October at Bytes Conference Centre in Midrand. Each will earn delegates a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) point.

The interactive seminars will deal with the various agreements and application of the contracts and supporting forms as a contract administration tool.

The target audience includes principal agents, project managers, architects, quantity surveyors, engineers, building contractors and subcontractors, employers, building owners and developers and procurement officers. It is also aimed at project finance providers and legal advisors.

The programme will cover various facets of contracts, the role and appointment of sub-contractors, the execution and completion of works, final accounts and payments, insurances, securities, suspension, termination, as well as dispute prevention and resolution.

“The training will provide delegates with a working knowledge of all JBCC agreements and forms, the competent administration of agreements, and knowledge on how to maximise productivity, and minimise claims for delays as well as the cost of programme overruns,” Putlitz stated.