Construction purchase orders - what they should include

Are your construction purchase orders correct?
Have you ordered a product only to find it hasn’t arrived when expected, it wasn’t exactly what you thought you had ordered, or there were additional extra costs that you had to pay? In construction the same often happens. Materials arrive late, are delivered to the wrong address, come in the wrong quantity or are of the wrong specifications. The contractor often suffers delays and additional costs. How can we avoid these problems?

Construction projects require materials and equipment which the contractor purchases from suppliers. Smaller items may be purchased from local shops, or suppliers, and are usually paid for at the time or are put on account. Major items, or items in large quantities, are ordered with purchase orders which are basically a promissory note to pay for a particular item when it’s delivered, or within a period of time after its delivery. Sometimes a deposit is paid for the item before it’s delivered. What’s written on these purchase orders should specify exactly what you want, when you want it and how much it will cost. Get it wrong and you may receive the wrong item, or the right item at the wrong time, or you may end up paying more than you bargained for!

Ensuring the purchase order is correct
Unfortunately some construction purchase orders are poorly written which results in the supplier delivering the wrong item, or delivering the items to the wrong address or at the wrong time. Sometimes the price isn’t clear or what’s included in the quoted price isn’t included on the order. This can lead to misunderstandings, additional costs and even delays to your project.

If you issue an order to the supplier it should:

• Be clear and unambiguous.
• Have the project name.
• Have the date of the order.
• Include an order number.
• Have the suppliers’ name and contact details.
• Include a complete description of the product.
• Reference any standards, specifications and drawings the product must comply with.
• Have any specific manufacturing instructions and details.
• Specify the delivery date.
• Include the arrangements to transport the item (if the supplier is providing the transport include the full delivery address, instructions and possibly even a map).
• If the supplier is providing transport and there are specific project site restrictions such as delivery hours, vehicle paperwork and security clearances these need to be included on the order.
• Have the product price, specifying the unit of measurement and what is included in the price.
• Specify the terms of payment, as well as any trade discounts.
• Include the address where the supplier should submit their invoice.
• Specify the warranties and spare parts required.
• Include the name and contact details of the person issuing the order.
• Be signed by an authorized person (this may depend on the value of the order, since often people are only allowed to sign orders up to a particular value, and may have to ask more senior management to sign orders with a greater value).
• Be acknowledged by the supplier so there is a record that the supplier has received and has accepted the order.
• When test inspections and quality control documentation is required these requirements should be included on the order.
• If pre-inspections are required by you or your customer, specify the notification procedures and inspection arrangements.

If the supplier has issued the order to you, ......Continue Reading.......

This article was first published on the ClockShark website. To visit this website and continue reading the article click on the link above.
Please share this post
To read more about the author’s books and find out where you can purchase them visit the pages on this website by clicking the links below:
'Successful Construction Project Management: The Practical Guide'
'Building a Successful Construction Company: The Practical Guide'
'Construction Claims: A Short Guide for Contractors'
'Construction Book reviews'
To read more about the author visit the page 'Paul Netscher'
Want to contact Paul Netscher please enter your details on 'Contacts'
Find out how Paul Netscher can help you

Order your books from Amazon
Order your books from Amazon UK
© 2016 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.