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 How long did it take for you to get where you at? Do you have
your own construction bussiness
Answer Hi Kiara,
How long did it take me to get where I am? My whole life, but seriously!
It took me six years, instead of three, to get a degree, because I got distracted finding out about girls and beer, and running rock concerts, but I had a good time in the process and got my degree eventually. Ten years later, there was little difference in income and seniority between me and others who had got their degree in 3 years, but they had not travelled nor had half the fun which I had had. I could have got here a lot faster, but I refused to work for companies whose ethics seemed uncertain, so I spent a lot of time without work. I have no regrets, as it means that I can sleep at night, and I've seen a lot of different places and countries.
Do you have my own construction business? No. I tried running my own business and found that I did not have the selling skills. I did business, but it was always risky. I could win tenders and do the work, but I found that I am too honest to close contracts in the countries, where I spend most of my time, so I became a hired gun instead. It keeps me alive and learning, because I must react quickly to changing markets and their requirements. As always, it is better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all, so I count the experience as useful.
How long will it take you to travel the same road? Possibley less possible more. If need more specific information, come back with a supplementary.
