Estimation and Tendering in Uganda’s Construction Industry

Often, both these terms are used ‘loosely’ to describe the same thing namely the figure which is submitted to the client on the form of tender i.e. the price for which the contractor is willing to carry out the work…

Performance Bonds vs. Retention Bonds: A Quantity Surveyor’s Guide to Risk Management and Financial Control

In construction projects, financial instruments such as performance bonds and retention bonds are crucial for managing risks and protecting stakeholder interests. Quantity Surveyors (QS) play a vital role ..

Liquidated Damages Part 2: In-depth analysis

Liquidated Damages (LDs) are a pre-agreed amount of compensation that the contractor must pay to the client if the project is not completed within the stipulated contract timeframe. 1. Key…

Liquidated Damages and how they affect the different parties on a Construction Project?

Liquidated damages are monies that contracting parties agree on as the amount of damages the contractor pays to the client for breaching the contract by not finishing the work on…

Implications of the CA/PM/Architect not issuing a Defects Notice.

The failure of the Contract Administrator (CA), Project Manager (PM), or Architect to issue a defects notice can have serious implications for the project, the contractor, and the client. Defects…

The Role of the Quantity Surveyor in Managing Construction Defects

The construction industry is highly susceptible to defects, which can arise from substandard materials, poor workmanship, or design errors. Such defects, if not effectively managed, can lead to increased costs,…

Types of Defects and How They Can Be Addressed Before and After

Defects in construction can vary in type and severity, and their effective management during and after the Defects Liability Period (DLP) is crucial to ensuring the long-term quality and durability of the project. Below are the different types of defects and….

Snagging and Defects Liability Period on a Construction Project

Snag is a slang expression widely used in construction to define a list of minor defects or omissions in building works for the contractor to rectify. Inspection for these snags…

Construction Contracts Part 3: Certificates issued on a Construction Project.

Many construction contracts require that certificates are issued by the Contract Administrator (most cases Quantity Surveyor) or any other construction professional obliged under a contract in relation to some matter…

Construction Contracts Part 2: Procurement and Contractual Networks in Uganda

In Uganda, the construction industry is shaped by a unique set of factors, including regulatory frameworks, economic conditions, and local industry practices. There are a number of methods that are…

Construction Contracts Part 1: Contract Obligations at different stages on a Construction Project.

Contracts vary from project to project and once agreed upon are binding on the parties involved. Presence of these contracts and obligations therein helps regulate practice and resolve disputes. On…

Claims in Construction Part 2

What is “Claimsmanship”? This term simply means that it’s the contractor’s responsibility to follow up his claims. It involves the employer seeking to enforce low rates and the contractor seeking…

Claims in Construction Part 1

A Claim is demand for what is due. In construction, demand can be in form of time and/ or cost and the right to it is usually bestowed by the…

Failure of Structures

Every day someone somewhere is constructing something in Uganda. It could be a small out-door toilet, an underground tank, shop rental space, rental units, apartments, bungalows, storied residential houses, big…

Design of Reinforced Concrete Slab

Over 90% of framed structures in Uganda are built from reinforced concrete. It’s no shocker as to why this is so considering the environment and the lack of awareness from…

Damp proofing

Damp proofing in Construction is a type of moisture control applied to building walls and floors to prevent moisture from passing into the interior spaces. Damp problems is one of…

Water Proofing

Water proofing is the process of making an object or structure waterproof or water resistant so that it remains relatively unaffected by water or resisting the ingress of water under…

Wall Construction

A wall is a structure that defines an area, carries a load, provides shelter, security and also divides spaces. Walls can be constructed in various ways like cavity and solid…

Siding (Wall Cladding)

This is the exterior material applied to the walls of a house or other building meant to shed water, protect the walls from the effects of weather, insulate and is…

Different ways in which Timber can be converted

Timber is one of the most important building materials in use today and this mainly because of its strength compared to volume ratio and its workability. Timber is divided into…

Moisture in Timber and its Seasoning

Moisture occurs in timber in as free water in the cell cavities or as bound water in the cell walls. When all of the free water in the cell cavities…

Timber based Manufactured Boards

These are boards used in the building industry and are produced by gluing wood layers or wood fibres together. These boards often made use of waste wood materials and have…

Timber Preservation

Considering the numerous challenges faced in securing a safe and desired piece of timber, preservation techniques come in handy. Preservation is the positioning of the food supply in the timber…

Defects and Decay in Timber

Timber is subject to many defects, which should, as far as possible, be cut out during its conversion. These defects can be divided into 2 groups; Seasoning defects; these are…