Course overview
The Streetwise Subbie – Commercial Survival for Subcontractors is for New Zealand subcontractors, trade business owners and their project and commercial teams. It focuses on understanding what you are agreeing to, managing changes to the work and getting paid.
The course follows the issues subcontractors face from tendering through to delivery: checking subcontract terms, clarifying pricing assumptions, responding to instructions, meeting notice requirements and preparing payment claims. It also looks at what to do when payment is disputed or the work is delayed.
Participants work through subcontracting examples, including changes to the work and disputed payment. They discuss the action they would take, the records they would keep and when to seek further advice.
What the course covers
The day concentrates on checking the subcontract, managing changes and protecting payment. More complex issues are introduced so participants can recognise them and know when to seek advice, rather than attempt a detailed legal assessment.
Topics include:
Agreeing the subcontract
- Understanding contracts and subcontract arrangements
- Formation of contracts and basic contract law principles
- Drafting simple subcontract agreements
- The relationship between head contracts and subcontracts
- Rights and obligations under NZS 3910:2013 and common subcontract forms
- Tendering and pricing risk
- Clarifying tender information and managing assumptions
- Offers, counter-offers and contract formation
Payment and changes
- Payment rights under the Construction Contracts Act 2002
- Payment claims and payment schedules
- Variations, contra charges and set-offs
- Remedies for non-payment, including adjudication and statutory demands
Time and project delivery
- Managing programme obligations and start dates
- Contract programmes and subcontractor obligations
- Extension of time claims and notice requirements
- Liquidated damages, general damages and time-related risks
- Time bars, condition precedent clauses and the prevention principle
- Lessons from New Zealand and international case law
- Applying the contract to day-to-day project decisions
Course delivery
This is a one-day public course, delivered face-to-face by Raine Selles in New Zealand.
It is an entry-level course for subcontractors and their teams developing their understanding of contracts and commercial management.
Contact Raine for venue details, availability and booking information.
Who it’s for
The course is for subcontractors across all trades, business owners and the people managing their work and commercial affairs, including:
- Trade Business Owners and Directors
- Contract Administrators and Commercial Managers
- Project Managers
- Site Managers and Supervisors
- Estimators and Tendering Personnel
- Construction Administrators
