Precautions for design changes and engineering visas in the construction of construction projects

In order to control the cost of a project well, the most important thing in the implementation process of the project is to control and manage the engineering design changes and visas. Because the blueprint design has been researched, reviewed and optimized in the early stage, and the cost has been within the ideal control range of the construction unit, in order to control the cost, the construction unit should formulate design changes and engineering visa management measures before the start of the project, so that there are rules to follow in the implementation.

1. Correctly understand the meaning and content of design change and engineering visa

1. Design changes

Design change: It is the design modification work carried out to ensure the quality of design and construction, improve the engineering design, correct the design error and meet the changes in site conditions, including the design changes proposed by the construction unit, the design unit, the supervision unit, the construction unit and other units. Once the design document is reviewed and approved, no unit or individual shall change it at will. Due to the change of project construction conditions or the actual need to change the original design, it must be thoroughly investigated and fully demonstrated, and all provisions in the project contract must be complied with.

The design changes proposed by the owner mainly involve: the approved construction scale, basic principles, main technical standards, main functional systems, and main parts, which have a significant impact on the external group landscape, main use functions and main construction plans, such as the overall layout of the building, the overall direction or elevation of roads and pipelines, large-area foundation treatment, large-area subgrade pavement structure, group building façade effect, and changes in main materials and equipment.

The design change proposed by the design unit should be based on the principle of combining the three major controls of engineering technology, construction period and investment, and timely submit an application for change for errors, omissions and optimization problems in the design process. The reasons for the change, the content and the relevant professional impact should be considered and explained in detail from the overall situation, and submitted for approval in accordance with the procedures.

The design changes proposed by the supervision unit are mainly in the construction process, and the site conditions are found to be inconsistent with the design drawings, or in order to reduce investment, shorten the construction period, ensure quality and safe production, and better promote the construction of the project, and reasonably put forward the change requirements according to the specifications.

During the construction process, the construction unit encounters some specific situations that are not expected by the original design and needs to be dealt with and the design changes occur. For example, the underground air-raid shelter not surveyed by the geological exploration unit needs to be treated by the foundation, or due to market resources, such as the supply of materials or the construction conditions are not mature, and other materials need to be replaced.

2. Engineering visa

Engineering visa: refers to the actual work that occurs on the construction site other than the project content determined by the construction drawings, and the supervising engineer confirms the occurrence and quantity of its engineering behavior, whether it is measured and paid, and shall be handled in accordance with the principles of the contract and the relevant provisions of the project. In the administrative measures, there are several situations in which visas may not be granted:

1) Due to the large number of construction bids of the project, the construction period is urgent, there will be many cross-construction opportunities, and the resulting costs have been clearly stipulated in the bidding documents, and this cost should be fully considered when bidding and quotation, and no visa shall be allowed.

2) In the process of construction, it may be affected and interfered by the demolition work, and the contractor will fully consider this factor in the bidding, and the resulting increase in costs shall not be visa-granted.

3) The additional costs that need to be increased due to the rush date have been included in the bidding quotation and are not allowed to be visaged.

4) Due to the tight construction period, the contractor is required to enter the site in advance and make preparations for construction, and the resulting equipment idle costs have been considered in the total price of the construction contract, and no visa is allowed.

2. Clearly stipulate the principles and precautions for the issuance of engineering design changes

1. Principles for the issuance of design changes

No matter which party proposes the design change, it shall be coordinated by the construction unit, the design unit, the supervision unit and the construction unit, and the corresponding drawings and instructions shall be issued by the design unit after confirmation, and the issuance procedures shall be handled and issued to various departments for implementation. The principles of change are as follows:

1) It is true that the original design cannot guarantee the quality, the design omission and error, and the construction cannot be changed if it is inconsistent with the site.

2) Design changes should be made as far in advance as possible, and it is best to find out before the start of construction. Conscientiously do a good job in the review of drawings, minimize the occurrence of design changes, and if changes really need to occur during construction, they should also be changed before construction.

3) The change work should be technically feasible, and the benefits generated after the change should be fully considered, and the losses caused by the construction unit's claim caused by the on-site change should be compared, and the decision should be made after weighing the severity. It is more prudent to be cautious about whether the resulting increase or decrease in cost is controlled within the scope of the contract.

4) The changed construction technology should not be complex, and it will not affect the total construction period.

5) The standard of use shall not be lowered for the changed items.

6) The design change should be recorded in detail, detailing the original design situation, the reason for the design change, the content and the impact on other professions, the increase or decrease of the project cost due to the design change, and should be handled in strict accordance with the approval procedures.

2. Precautions should be taken for issuing design changes

Before implementing the project, a standard form for a change order is developed. The change order includes the following:

1) Project name or contract number.

2) The change order number and the date the change was issued.

3) The reason for the change and a detailed explanation of the content of the change: according to which paragraph of the contract the change order is issued, whether the change work will be implemented immediately after receiving the change order, or whether the change will be implemented after the cost of the change work is determined, etc.

4) The amount of accumulated expenses arising from the previous change, the amount of expenses increased or decreased by this change, and the amount of accumulated partial change costs.

5) Distinguish the reasons for the responsibility of the design change, and determine the cost bearer and the amount to be borne.

6) Apply for visas in strict accordance with the approval procedures.

7) The change order shall be attached with an annex, which includes: the engineering scale, design data, design drawings and other documents related to the change work.

3. Clearly stipulate the principles and precautions for project issuance

1. Strict visa management, the contract clearly stipulates the circumstances of visa refusal.

2. According to the principle of contract, strictly review the timeliness, reasonableness and authenticity of various visas, put an end to the phenomenon of retrospective recognition, and be responsible for the timeliness and accuracy of visas. For a one-time increase or decrease in the project cost of more than 10,000 yuan on-site visa, at the same time of construction must have the owner and relevant departments to participate, follow-up review, the corresponding amount of visa in the latest within 10 days after the completion of the visa to go through the approval procedures, if not in accordance with the provisions of the implementation, the relevant person in charge has the right to refuse the visa.

3. Apply for visas in strict accordance with the prescribed formats and procedures. First of all, it is necessary to apply for the "visa form for non-contract projects" and fill in the instruction number of the supervising engineer, which is the basis for the visa. After the visa, you need to apply for the "Engineering Change Application Form", "Change Bill of Quantities" and "Change Comprehensive Unit Price Analysis Form", and attach complete supporting materials.

4. Strictly abide by the prescribed approval procedures and approval time, without unreasonable delay, and formulate a project visa flow chart.

Fourth, some measures to strengthen the management of design changes and engineering visas

1. Give full play to the leading role of the owner in investment control, establish a sound management system, clearly regulate the responsibilities of contractors, supervisors and owners, and clearly stipulate the responsibilities of various functional departments and relevant personnel.

2. Improve the sense of responsibility and professional level of all relevant personnel, and strictly control the design change and engineering visa.

3. Do a good job of project changes and on-site visa accounts, and require monthly statistical summary and reporting.

4. The contract stipulates that if the cumulative completion of project changes and on-site visas exceeds 10% of the contract cost, the employer shall sign a supplementary contract, which must be confirmed by both parties to the contract to be valid.