AboutPeter M. Elliott Expertise First response to queries regarding extensions of time, variations orders, site instructions and payment using FIDIC and other forms of Conditions of Contract, based on English Law, and derivatives only.
Experience Value . . .
It's unwise to pay too much, but it's unwise to pay too little. When you pay too much you lose a little money, that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing you bought it to do.
The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot. It can't be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it's well to add something for the risk you run.
And if you do that, you will have enough to pay for something better.
. . . John Ruskin (1819 - 1900)
"We are too poor to buy something cheap"
.Romanian Proverb 2002
A lean compromise is better than a fat lawsuit.
George Herbert (English poet 1593-1633)
I said it in Hebrew, I said it in Dutch,
I said it in German and Greek:
But I wholly forgot (and it vexes me much)
That English is what you speak!" Hunting of the Snark - Lewis Caroll
Match your presentation to the reader!
The joy of food lasts but an hour, of sleep but a day, of a woman, but a month, but the joy of a building lasts a lifetime. Syrian proverb.
Comments and observations leading to improvements in the translation of FIDIC Red & Yellow books into Romanian prior to approval by FIDIC (reference 'Preface to the Romanian edition')
Question What are the main differences between receiving a Variation Order and a Site Instruction?
Answer Hi John,
Your question is very broad and of the 'what is the difference between apples and pears?' type. The differences, if any, depend on the wording which is used in the Conditions of Contract for a particular contract.
Often, a site instruction is not defined in the Conditions of Contract. Variation orders tend to be more formal than site instructions, which can be issued in writing within a few hours of the event or verbal instruction. Variation orders tend to include the financial and time effects of an instruction and tend to be signed on behalf of the Client or Employer by the Supervisor, Engineer, Project Manager or similar person. Both are legal documents which bind the Employer.
Perhaps, if you gave the basis of the question, I could give a more useful answer.
