In our article Subcontractor scope of works ​we mentioned how important subcontractors were to the success of construction projects. We discussed how some construction projects failed because the wrong subcontractor was selected. Problems with subcontractors often begin during the pricing and selection process. 

We discussed how critical it was that subcontractors had an accurate scope of works to price. This ensures that every subcontractor prices the same thing so that it's easy to adjudicate and compare the various subcontractor's prices.

An accurate scope of works also ensures that subcontractors price the work required, thus avoiding potential variation claims and change orders later. It means that the subcontractors doesn't price stuff that they aren't expected to do.

In this article we consider what to include in the pricing documentation, or instruction to price, to ensure that the subcontractor understands the terms and conditions of the subcontract document, and that they cannot claim for project conditions they were unaware of.

• Avoid cutting and pasting from previous projects, or directly from your contract document, without checking the information is relevant and correct.
• Provide sufficient time for the Subcontractor to price the work properly.
• Keep documentation simple.
• Ensure all Subcontractors get the same information.
• Check the documentation.
• Confirm verbal discussions in writing.
• There must be a clear scope of work.
• Applicable drawings and specifications must be included.
• Include the contract schedule or milestone dates.
• Terms of the contract must be included, for example:

             •payment terms,
             •retainage money,
             •surety requirements,
             •warranties,
             •insurances.

• Special project conditions, for example:

             •labour rates,
             •working times,
             •interaction with others.
             •Particular rules, hazards, etc.

• Safety requirements of the project.
• A list of the documents making-up the pricing documentation.
• Clearly state what the Contractor will supply and what the Subcontractor must supply.
• Explain how the Subcontractor should breakdown their price – lump sum, schedule of rates, overheads, etc.
• Detail what must be included with the price submission – construction schedule, insurances, details of staffing.
• When you want the price and who it must go to.
• The project location.
• Quality requirements – including testing, documents, inspections and commissioning.

Remember anything you require the Subcontractor to do which is not in these documents could give rise to a variation claim or change order later. So check the documentation and scope of works you ask subcontractors to price to ensure you've included everything you expect your subcontractors to execute, and the project conditions they must comply with. Forgetting something could be very expensive later.

​In our next article we discuss what to include in subcontractor documentation.

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Take a look at any construction site, anywhere in the world, and the chances are that you’ll see something familiar. Massive single-use pieces of equipment are a mainstay in any construction fleet, but for smaller businesses, a lack of both space and funding means that you need to look into multi-use alternatives. Backhoes, skid steer loaders, and compact track loaders are capable of utilizing a myriad of attachments, depending on the needs of the job.
 
Here is a quick breakdown of construction equipment attachments and what you might use them for. 

​​Augers
Augers are heavy-duty high-torque drill bits designed to dig holes in the soil or rocky surfaces. These are ideal for everything from creating post holes to digging transplant holes for trees and other landscaping.

Backhoes
If you’re working with a skid steer loader or a compact track loader, a backhoe attachment can give you all of the functionality of a backhoe without having to invest in an extra piece of equipment.
​
Buckets
​Buckets for backhoes come in a variety of different sizes and applications, so you’re sure to find something that works for you. General-purpose buckets can work for most applications, but if you’re working on a specific task like lifting heavy rocks or excavating soil, there are variations of the standard bucket that works for those as well. 

​Blades
Blades are a valuable tool for site clearing and cutting applications. They do require frequent sharpening when cutting through dense materials but they’re more efficient than doing the same tasks by hand or with handheld tools.

Brooms
Why sweep your job site by hand when you can attach a broom to your backhoe or skid steer loader and use it to keep your site clean and safe. It is also a valuable tool for shifting materials like sand that might be difficult to lift or manipulate with larger equipment.

Brush cutters
If you find yourself needing to clear-cut a new lot before construction begins, brush cutters are the perfect attachment for the job. They come in widths ranging from 60 to 78 inches, making it easy to clear even large lots quickly and easily.
​
Compactors
Heavy-duty compactors might be more efficient for large stretches of land, but for small projects or those that have limited space, smaller backhoe or skid steer attachments are the best option. 

​Hammers
While these aren’t as common on construction sites, hammer attachments are valuable tools if you need to break up large rocks or concrete. They’re more common on quarries and on demolition sites.

Pallet Forks
These might not always be necessary, but if you find yourself needing to move palletized materials, a pallet fork attachment can make the job infinitely easier. These attachments usually come with adjustable fork widths so you can lift different size pallets with ease.

Plows
Snow, sleet and mud can throw a wrench into the best-laid plans. Instead of letting them delay your project or investing in a single-use snowplow, consider a plow attachment for your backhoe or skid steer loader.

Rakes
Whether you’re trying to smooth uneven terrain or remove rocks and other debris, a rake attachment makes the job move a lot faster than trying to complete the same task by hand.

Rippers
There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to work when the ground is frozen. Ripper attachments can easily cut through the frozen ground. They can also tear through concrete and asphalt if necessary.

Saws
Sometimes a table saw just won’t cut it — literally. Saw attachments can complete challenging cutting tasks with ease, without ever needing to break out the hand tools.
​
Stump Grinders
When pulling an entire tree out by the root isn’t an option, stump grinders can help take unsightly stumps down to nothing. These are necessary for site clearing operations, but you don’t need to bring in an extra piece of equipment to complete the job when you can do exactly that with

Thumbs
​Sometimes you need an extra set of hands — or in this case, an extra set of thumbs. These help to lift heavy and often awkwardly shaped items and transport them throughout the construction site. 

​Tillers
If landscaping is part of the plan, a tiller can make the job easier by breaking up the soil and providing straight and even lines ready for planting.
​
Trenchers
If you need rows deeper than a tiller can provide, the trencher attachment is the next logical step. These attachments can dig trenches three to five feet deep, which is usually plenty for installing infrastructure and plants or trees that may require a deeper starting point.
 
Comprehensive But Not Exhaustive
​Despite the sheer number of items on this list, it is not exhaustive by any means. There are nearly as many attachments for construction equipment as there are applications for them. Before you invest in a new piece of equipment for your construction fleet, look into attachments for your existing equipment. You might be surprised by what you find.

Author Bio: Rose Morrison is a freelance writer who covers construction and building design topics. She is also the managing editor for Renovated. ​