An Evaluation of the Saudi Contract for Public Works

• Main Author: Naief T. Ibn-Homaid
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2006-01-01
• Series: Journal of King Saud University: Engineering Sciences
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1018363918308341

The contract for public works is the only national standard construction contract document of its kind in Saudi Arabia. Despite the passage of almost 20 years since its institution, vast amount of experience accumulated from its wide usage in various types of public works projects, its implementation as one-type-fíts- all, and some persisting contention particularly by contractors about its lack of equitability; little in the way of scientific research has been reported about its evaluation. This paper reports on a survey of construction main participants regarding evaluation of this standard form of contract. Respondents were drawn from the three different contracting parties and were asked to indicate their opinion about the contract based upon 11 evaluation attributes. Survey results indicated that the contract is barely adequate, raising concerns about its efficiency and effectiveness. Given the fact that understanding contracts is fundamental to construction management, it is hoped that the views revealed through this research will be instrumental in the development of the Saudi construction industry. Keywords: Public works projects, Evaluation, Construction, Contracts, Contractors, Consultants, Saudi Arabia