
Breach of Contract in Construction Projects: Managing Risks and Disputes

Contracts are essential for defining the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved in the building industry. But even with meticulous preparation and flawless execution, breach of contract violations might happen, whether anticipatory or repudiatory, giving rise to disagreements and sometimes even legal repercussions.
What is a Breach of Contract in Construction Projects?
When one party doesn’t completely or partially carry out its contractual obligations, there is a breach of contract. It may show up in a number of ways, including missed deadlines, shoddy workmanship, or even a failure to provide the goods or services promised. Whatever the circumstances, a contract violation can significantly impact stakeholder relationships, project costs, and deadlines.
Common Causes of Breach of Contract in Construction Projects
In our experience, several factors play a role in contract violations in building projects. One common cause is inadequate project planning and scope definition. When project requirements are not clearly outlined or understood by all parties involved, it creates ambiguity and opens the door for misinterpretations or conflicting expectations. Poor communication and ineffective collaboration among project participants can also lead to breaches, as misunderstandings and disagreements arise.
Another factor that often triggers breaches of contracts is inadequate financial planning. The financial feasibility of a project can be strained by flawed planning, faulty cost projections, or unanticipated price increases, which can lead to contractors or subcontractors defaulting on their contractual commitments.
Establishing precise and thorough contracts, carrying out comprehensive planning, fostering efficient communication, and ensuring financial stability is essential to reducing the risks related to contract breaches in building projects. So, we will go deeper into these subjects and offer helpful advice and techniques to assist you in overcoming obstacles and lessen the effects of breach of contract situations.
Managing the Risk of Breach of Contract

Managing the risk of contract breach is crucial when it comes to building projects. A solid and well-written contract acts as the cornerstone for a project’s success by safeguarding the interests of all stakeholders. We understand the importance of proactive measures in mitigating potential disputes and ensuring project success.
Draft a Strong Contract
The first line of defense against contract violation is to draft a solid contract. To avoid any potential for misunderstanding or ambiguity, specify the project milestones, deliverables, and scope of work in detail. Specify the responsibilities of each party, payment terms, and dispute resolution mechanisms. By addressing potential scenarios and risks upfront, you can minimize the likelihood of contractual breaches.
Manage Change Orders
Change orders are a common source of contract disputes in construction projects. It is essential to have a well-defined process in place to manage change orders effectively. Maintain clear documentation of all change requests, including scope changes, cost adjustments, and schedule modifications. In addition, regularly reviewing and updating the contract to reflect these changes can ensure mutual agreement and avoid surprises down the road.
Monitor Performance
Monitoring performance throughout the project is crucial for identifying potential issues and addressing them promptly. Regular site visits and progress meetings allow you to assess compliance with contract terms, quality of work, and adherence to schedules. In our experience, maintaining open lines of communication with all parties involved facilitates early identification of potential issues, enabling timely resolution and minimizing the risk of breach.
Resolving Breach of Contract Disputes
Finding a fair and effective resolution is essential when dealing with breach of contract issues in construction projects to minimize the negative effects on all parties. Commonly, mediation, arbitration, and litigation are the three main ways to settle these conflicts.
Mediation
A neutral third party, the mediator, helps the parties communicate so they can come to a mutually agreeable agreement. Mediation is a voluntary and private process. It offers a less combative method and permits the parties to keep control of the result. Relationships can be preserved, and costly and time-consuming court battles can be avoided with the help of mediation.
Arbitration
Another option is arbitration, which is bringing the dispute before an independent arbitrator or panel. When evidence and arguments are presented, and a decision is reached, the procedure resembles a condensed form of a trial. Depending on the parties’ agreement, arbitration may be enforceable or void. Compared to regular court action, it typically offers a quicker process and more privacy.
Litigation
Contrarily, litigation entails taking the matter to court, where a judge or jury will render a verdict. Litigation offers a formal and structured framework for resolving complicated conflicts, even if it may be a time-consuming and expensive procedure. It is crucial to remember that lawsuit should typically be viewed as a last resort after trying all other conflict resolution options.
Alternative dispute resolution procedures like mediation and arbitration can help parties find a speedier and more affordable resolution when they are dealing with a breach of contract dispute in a construction project.
Avoiding Breach of Contract
We understand the significance of avoiding breach of contract in construction projects. It can not only cause expensive disagreements, but it can also sour relationships and impede project progress. How can you avoid falling victim to this widespread mistake? Here are some recommendations derived from our experience.
The contract’s terms and conditions must be specified in detail. Ensure that everyone in the situation is aware of their duties and responsibilities. This covers data like the project’s scope, material used, deadlines, payment arrangements, and other pertinent information. Open communication and transparency from the outset can prevent misunderstandings down the line.
Additionally, thorough documentation is key. Keep detailed records of all project-related communications, changes, and agreements. This will provide a solid foundation should any disputes arise. Maintain a paper trail that can be easily referenced and accessed by all parties involved.
A proactive approach is essential to resolve breach of contract disputes. Timely communication is paramount. If you notice a potential breach, address it promptly with the other party, seeking a collaborative resolution. Avoid letting minor issues escalate into larger problems that could disrupt the entire project.
Resolving a Breach of Contract Dispute with THAC Assistance
If you find yourself facing a breach of contract dispute that cannot be resolved through direct negotiation, seeking the assistance of a neutral third party can be beneficial. The Thai Arbitration Center (THAC) is a reliable institution that offers alternative dispute resolution services, including arbitration and mediation. Our expertise and impartiality can help facilitate fair and efficient resolution of contract disputes.
If you have questions about arbitration or any other ADR methods, please get in touch with us at
Email: [email protected]
Call: +66 (0)2018 1615
THAC is looking forward to helping you.