What is a variation of contract?

Variations are a common feature of building projects.

The client or client's agent has the right to alter the designs or specifications to the build and the contractor is entitled to charge for these alterations if he is instructed to carry out these variations/extras. Be aware, that there will be additional costs incurred if scaffolding for example has to be altered or hired for longer durations, as a result of these changes. The contractor is also entitled to an extension of time on to the original time frame and the adjustment to the next stage payments to reflect these variations will be affected. It is best practice for the contractor to flag these issues and to explain to the client or agent how these variations will affect the original contract price and time scale once the variations have been suggested so that everyone is kept in the loop.

Note that a variation can also mean that the cost may be reduced to reflect this, if an item is omitted or specification is reduced from the original.