OP Contract
Structural steelwork drawings, a laptop and a hard hat seen from above on timber beams

For steel fabricators and steelwork contractors

Steelwork variation orders & construction claims support

Drawing revisions, additional fabrication and changes on site can leave you carrying costs that have not been agreed. OP Contract helps you establish the commercial position, substantiate additional work and negotiate outstanding variation orders and construction claims.

Work directly with John Paul Oliver on a specific issue, a live steelwork package or ongoing commercial support alongside your team.

Discuss a variation or claim Call John

When the work has changed but the account has not

You may have delivered additional work while the variation order, valuation or payment remains unresolved. Or you may be facing deductions or a construction claim that you need to assess and respond to.

OP Contract can help when:

  • Revised drawings have changed the fabrication or installation scope.
  • Site instructions have resulted in additional or altered work.
  • Restricted access or changed erection sequences have affected delivery.
  • Variations remain unpriced, unagreed or excluded from valuations.
  • Additional costs are spread across emails, drawings and site records.
  • A disputed account needs a clear, evidenced submission or response.

The starting point is to establish what changed, what the contract says and what the records support.

Steelwork variation order management

Identify, record and value changes to your steelwork package.

OP Contract brings together the relevant instructions, drawing revisions, scope documents and cost records to prepare clear variation order submissions. John can also review an existing variation register and help progress outstanding items.

See John’s experience reviewing and negotiating a €37 million variation position.

Support includes

  • Reviewing the agreed scope against subsequent changes.
  • Organising instructions, revisions and supporting records.
  • Maintaining a variation register and tracking each item’s status.
  • Measuring and valuing additional or altered work.
  • Preparing submissions and responding to valuation queries.
  • Supporting negotiation of outstanding variations.

Steelwork construction claims management

Build a clear commercial case from the contract and the evidence.

Whether you are pursuing additional payment or responding to a construction dispute, OP Contract reviews the contractual basis, the events involved and the amounts being claimed.

John helps identify the strengths, gaps and disputed points so your team can decide how to proceed.

Support includes

  • Reviewing the contractual basis of a claim.
  • Establishing the sequence of events and relevant correspondence.
  • Assessing the available records and identifying missing information.
  • Preparing and substantiating claimed amounts.
  • Reviewing claims or deductions raised by other parties.
  • Supporting commercial negotiations and settlement discussions.
How the variation and claims process works

A practical route from records to a commercial position

  1. 1. Review the issue

    Explain the project, the outstanding amount or disputed work, and any relevant deadlines. John reviews the initial information and agrees the scope of support with you.

  2. 2. Assess the contract and evidence

    Bring together the agreed scope, instructions, drawing revisions, valuations and cost records. Identify what supports the position and where further information is needed.

  3. 3. Prepare the submission or response

    Set out the issue, supporting evidence and valuation in a clear format, with the key commercial points explained.

  4. 4. Progress the outstanding account

    Support responses, negotiations and the next agreed actions. Engage John for a defined piece of work or continuing assistance alongside your team.

Several unresolved issues? Start with a Commercial Review.

The Steelwork Project Commercial Review provides a written assessment of a live package’s commercial position, key risks and priority actions.

It can cover outstanding variations, disputed valuations, deductions, contractual correspondence and the final-account position.

Commission the review as a standalone piece of work, with follow-on support available if required.

Discuss a Commercial Review

Steelwork experience behind the commercial advice

John Paul Oliver combines practical experience in fabrication and estimating with steelwork quantity surveying and contracts management.

His previous roles include Lead Quantity Surveyor at Kiernan Steel and contracts roles with McDermott, Fluor, Air Products, Wood and BOS Shelf / STAR GULF.

His experience covers contract formation, subcontract management, variations, claims and settlement across steelwork, construction and major EPC and EPCM projects.

More about John and OP Contract
Questions

Questions about steelwork variations and claims

Can a construction claims consultant help with variations we have already submitted?

Yes. OP Contract can review existing submissions, supporting records and responses to identify unresolved points and help prepare the next submission or negotiation. The scope depends on the contract, the available information and the status of each variation.

What information do you need to review a variation or construction claim?

Start with a short explanation of the project, the issue, the amount involved if known, and any urgent deadlines. John can then confirm which documents are needed. These may include the subcontract, agreed scope, drawing revisions, instructions, variation register, valuations and relevant correspondence.

Can you work alongside our existing quantity surveyor on a subcontractor claim?

Yes. John can provide focused support on a difficult variation, claim or account while your team retains day-to-day commercial responsibility. Ongoing outsourced QS support is also available.

How do we respond to a construction claim or deduction from the main contractor?

Start with the basis of the amount being sought or deducted and the evidence behind it. OP Contract supports both the preparation and assessment of claims: John can review the basis and supporting evidence and help prepare a commercial response.

Can we commission a review of our final account before deciding on further support?

Yes. The Steelwork Project Commercial Review is a standalone service, providing a written assessment of the commercial position, key risks and priority actions. You can decide separately whether to commission follow-on support.

Discuss your outstanding variation or construction claim

Tell John about the steelwork package, the issue and any relevant deadline. He will discuss the support required and agree the scope with you.

Email John about your project