Managing Variations: Keeping Control When the Scope Changes

Changes to design or scope are part of almost every project — but poorly managed variations can cause cost overruns and disputes.

The key is communication and documentation. Each variation should be priced, agreed, and recorded before works proceed. This ensures both parties understand the cost and programme impact. Too often, variations are issued verbally or without updated drawings, creating uncertainty later.

KQS ensures variations are captured accurately from the outset. We quantify the cost, assess time implications, and provide a clear record for approval. On a recent residential scheme, a design change added 150m² of paving; because it was tracked correctly, the variation was approved swiftly and the project stayed on schedule. This is just a single example of of hundred's of variations that happen over the course of a contract. It is vital to be on top of all design changes to capture these variations.

Clear, fair variation management protects everyone involved — and that’s exactly what we deliver at KQS.