Faulty Assumptions - Do not assume that items covered in Equipment will be purchased and installed by others outside of your contract. This can be a costly error. Check all drawings for these items and for terms such as “NIC” (Not In Contract) or “By Others.” If these or similar terms are not in evidence, then it is safe to conclude that these are in your scope of work.

Installation of Items - In many cases, Equipment items are purchased by others, but their installation is the contractor’s responsibility. Check all drawings and specifications carefully for these items.

Handling Charges - In cases where Equipment items are purchased by others but installed by the contractor, contractors often add a handling charge (10% of the estimated material costs is common practice). This charge covers the receiving, handling, storage, protection, and final delivery of these items.

Support Systems - Note that Equipment items may require some type of support system not usually supplied with the item — such as support brackets, plates, or angles. These need to be accounted for and may need to be added to the appropriate division. Phrases in the specifications that gloss over this subject and thus make it difficult to recover any added costs include, “The contractor shall install all products in accordance with the manufacturers’ recommendations” and the like. Remember, it is much more costly to install a behind-the-wall support system after the wall is in place.

Preparation of Items - In some cases, Equipment items may require assembly before installation. Be aware that the assembly time can often exceed the time required for installation.