10th March 2006, 03:42 PM
The archaeologist in this case was probably being a bit economical with the truth in saying that archaeologists on WBs are never paid daily rates that include reporting. It is quite common, and we recently lost a tender on the basis that, although our daily rate was cheaper, we said that it did not include the report which would be extra. Our competitor (one of the biggest units in the UK) offered a more expensive daily rate that was explicitly all-inclusive.
I would say that this kind of problem should be avoidable if the parties clearly identify the scope of work and its stages, and how each stage will be paid for, before they start. That is as much the responsibility of the archaeologist as the client.
It is much easier to control these matters, and to avoid court cases, if you use a standard published form of contract. These are all very carefully written by committees with wide representation, to control all aspects of the relationship and limit risks to both sides. Above all, they are not written by either party to a particular contract, so there is no bias. In the UK, I would recommend the 'ICE Conditions of Contract for Archaeological Investigation', which was jointly written by the IFA and something called the 'Conditions of Contract Standing Joint Committee'.
1man1desk
to let, fully furnished
I would say that this kind of problem should be avoidable if the parties clearly identify the scope of work and its stages, and how each stage will be paid for, before they start. That is as much the responsibility of the archaeologist as the client.
It is much easier to control these matters, and to avoid court cases, if you use a standard published form of contract. These are all very carefully written by committees with wide representation, to control all aspects of the relationship and limit risks to both sides. Above all, they are not written by either party to a particular contract, so there is no bias. In the UK, I would recommend the 'ICE Conditions of Contract for Archaeological Investigation', which was jointly written by the IFA and something called the 'Conditions of Contract Standing Joint Committee'.
1man1desk
to let, fully furnished