Construction Delay and Price Escalation Notice

What a good one includes

• A clear reference to the specific contract clause, such as a Force Majeure or Price Escalation clause, that permits the adjustment.
• An itemized breakdown of the affected materials or labor categories along with their verified cost increases.
• The exact number of additional calendar days requested for the project schedule, supported by a revised milestone timeline.
• Concrete supporting documentation, such as supplier letters, manufacturer price sheets, or market index data.
• A reassuring statement outlining the proactive steps you are taking to mitigate further delays or cost impacts.
• Clear instructions on the exact steps the client must take to formally acknowledge and sign off on the notice.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Waiting too long to send the notice, which often violates contractually mandated notification windows and waives your right to adjustments.
• Using vague, emotional language about inflation instead of presenting hard, verifiable market data and supplier invoices.
• Failing to explicitly connect the delay or price increase to a specific, pre-existing clause in your signed agreement.
• Presenting the adjustment as an aggressive demand rather than a collaborative, contractually permitted update.

Frequently asked questions