Master standard CCDC forms and legal frameworks to mitigate project risks, avoid costly disputes, and secure profitable agreements across the Canadian construction industry.
Construction contracts form the foundation of every successful project, defining the rights, responsibilities, risks, and expectations of the parties involved. Yet many disputes, delays, and cost overruns can be traced back to misunderstandings of contractual obligations, poorly managed risk allocation, or failures to properly administer contract requirements throughout the project lifecycle.
In this practical session, construction educator and industry veteran Ralph Lembcke provides a high-level overview of Canadian construction contracts, explaining how contracts are formed, the essential elements of enforceable agreements, common project delivery and procurement models, and the contractual mechanisms used to manage scope, risk, payment, and project performance. Through practical examples and industry insights, participants will gain a clearer understanding of how construction contracts operate in practice and how effective contract administration can help reduce disputes and improve project outcomes.
Key Topics Discussed
Part-time Professor | Fanshawe College
Ralph’s construction career has taken him from estimator to project manager, then to self-employed contractor, and finally to a 30-year career as a professor with the Donald J. Smith School of Building Technology at Fanshawe College in London, ON, where he still teaches part-time. He was a 25-year member of the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyor (PQS - Professional Quantity Surveyor) and is currently a charter member of the Construction and Design Educators Council of Canada (CDECC). Ralph sits on the board of advisors for the CDECC as well as for an Ontario-based construction company. Ralph holds a certificate in Construction Engineering Technology and Management from Fanshawe College, a teaching certificate from St. Clair College and a Professional Gold Seal certification from the Canadian Construction Association.
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