Where is Dignity ?

ONE day, my fellow citizen who is working in local SME yelled angrily after he finds out that Consultants disagree with their variation work claim. It is hard to find project that is free from variation work as Client keep changing mind and ask Consultants to amend original design. It usually come out during construction period because most of Client are unable to fully understand on paper. Hence this lacking ability in advance forced them change mind after they find out the building in physical stage. This process is nothing new to all construction firm and we all go settle under title of variation work.

In view of above, most constructor prefer to use provisional contract rather than lump sum which is widely considered high risk. You change you pay is not problem. But sometime Client wants to change without allowing subcontractor to increase their bills. It is Client who gave basis concept for design and Consultant follow up with the suitable design that suit Client's requirements. As a subcontractor, you got to follow instruction from Consultants as a part of duties. Usually, subcontractors got instructions on site meetings in the form of verbal. As time is always constraint, there is less time to wait for formal instruction in the form of written one. In fact, some consultants deliberately do not issue written instruction, especially when they need to change frequently. The more they change, the more likely to exceed original contract sum. At the end of project, Client will score them for breaking cashflow regardless of who should take responsibility. No wonder Consultants want to make sure project can be done within budget.

It is usual for employees to work multi-function jobs in local SMEs, I mean there is no full structure in small firms. Hence they need to perform from top managerial post to the lower ranks. They need to attend meeting, prepare report, get shop drawings, order materials, liaise with main contractors and consultants as well as subcontractors, etc. It is not easy to perform at optimum level in every angle to the given responsibilities. But most of us need to chew such condition in the work sites. Once Consultants disagree with their variation claim, he is needed by boss to explain on short coming certificate. He told to boss that if Consultants disagree with this, they must not be gentleman. Because we exactly follow their instruction on site. The problem is he has no written form of instruction to be substantiate. At the end of the project, they are at the lose side and nothing to do but upsetting. Upon his explanation, his boss remarked as follow:-

You don't need to be gentleman in doing business. My friend noted in motionless. Can we able to say it is part of qualification to become professional? Sadly, most of Consultants are not willing to take responsibilities for what they have told during construction stage unless you have proper evidence. Believe me, it is true and happening to our daily lives at construction industry.