Case Study - Extension of Time and Cost Claim for Major Commercial Development

Extension of Time and Cost Claim for Major Commercial Development

Project: Commercial Development
Client Type: Main Contractor
Claim Type: Extension of Time, prolongation costs, disruption, acceleration and variation-related losses
Claim Value: QAR 19 million
Time Claimed: 137 calendar days

Matrix CCC was engaged to prepare and substantiate an interim claim for Extension of Time and reimbursement of losses, expenses and damages arising from significant Employer and Engineer-driven delays on a major commercial development project.

The project suffered from repeated design changes, late information, work holds, delayed approvals, late material decisions, variations, imposed subcontractors, overlapping works, access constraints, and disruption caused by continuing changes after the agreed revised completion date.

The submitted claim identified that the Contractor had suffered delays and disruption due to matters outside its control, with the claim assessed at 137 calendar days and QAR 19m in additional losses, expenses and damages.

Key Issues Reviewed

The claim analysis addressed multiple causes of delay and cost impact, including:

Works placed on hold pending revised interior design and MEP information
Late issue of drawings, incomplete design information, and repeated design revisions
Changes to various works, such as blockwork, raised floors, finishes, HVAC, fire alarm, etc.
Omission and later re-addition of work areas
Late processing and approval of variation orders
Contractor cash-flow impact caused by delays in approving completed variation works
Disruption and productivity loss due to overlapping works
Employer/Engineer interference and late access to external works

The claim grouped the delay events into structured categories, including design revision, defective design, late material approvals, Employer variation orders, cash-flow impact, imposed subcontractors, loss of productivity, Employer interference, late access, and rejection of submitted programmes and EOT claims.

Matrix CCC Role

Matrix CCC prepared a structured claim narrative supported by contemporaneous project records, site instructions, Engineer letters, variation orders, correspondence, and cost particulars.

The work included:

Chronological reconstruction of delay and change events
Identification of Employer/Engineer-responsible delay causes
Preparation of a detailed EOT entitlement position
Assessment of prolongation and disruption costs
Preparation of variation-related cost impact
Linking delay events to contractual entitlement
Presenting the claim in a clear, evidence-based format for assessment and negotiation

A major part of the claim involved proving that delays were not caused by the Contractor, but by late decisions, design changes, repeated instructions, pending approvals, and changes issued after the project had already been accelerated under a prior addendum.

Commercial Impact

The claim demonstrated that the Contractor had incurred substantial additional cost due to delay and disruption. It also identified significant pending variation amounts, including completed works for which approvals or valuation responses were still pending. One section of the claim recorded QAR 5.6m in completed variation works with approval still pending, with further additional variation costs expected.

The claim also addressed cash-flow consequences caused by delays in evaluating and approving variation orders, noting that the Contractor had spent money on manpower and materials but was unable to recover those costs through monthly payments in a timely manner.

Outcome / Value Delivered

Matrix CCC delivered a comprehensive, evidence-based EOT and cost claim that clearly separated the Contractor’s entitlement from project-wide confusion, late instructions, design changes, and Employer/Engineer-driven disruption.

The claim provided the Contractor with a strong contractual and commercial platform to pursue:

137 calendar days of Extension of Time, and,
QAR 19 million in losses, expenses and damages

The submitted claim assessed the Contractor’s entitlement at 137 calendar days and QAR 18.86 million in losses, expenses and damages.

Service Provided:
EOT claim preparation, delay event analysis, disruption assessment, variation cost review, prolongation cost claim and commercial claim strategy.

Matrix CCC Value:
Turning complex project records into a structured, evidence-based claim to protect the Contractor’s time and cost entitlements.

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