What is concurrent delay on a construction project?
Concurrent delay is when two or more delay events, one the contractor's risk and one the client's, affect completion at the same time. Often the contractor may get more time but not extra money for that period. The contract wording decides.
A simple example
A client changes a finish and holds up one trade for three weeks. In the same three weeks the contractor's steel supplier is late and holds up the same path. Both events delay completion. That is concurrent delay.
How it is usually treated
- Time: the contractor often gets an extension, because the client caused part of the delay.
- Money: the contractor often cannot recover delay costs for the overlapping period, because the contractor also caused it.
- Damages: the client may be barred from charging liquidated damages for the overlap.
Some contracts say otherwise, so the wording matters.
How to deal with it
Separate the events on a timeline. Show the start and end of each. Show which one drove the critical path. A clear programme analysis stops the argument from turning into opinion.
Related answers
Questions
Is concurrent delay the same as parallel delay?
People use both terms, and the definitions vary. Ask what each side means by the term before you argue.
Do I need a delay expert for concurrency?
For a large sum, usually yes. A small dispute may only need a clear timeline.
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