Free checklist

Universal scope gap checklist.

Check whether the trade package has covered the documents, approvals, interfaces and commercial assumptions before award.

Check the trade package before award.

Anything left unchecked should be clarified, excluded, allowed for or converted into contract wording before the quote is relied on.

UNI-01 - Confirm the tenderer has allowed for all documents, addenda, RFIs, site instructions and clarifications issued up to the tender cut-off. Verify tender document register, addenda log, RFI responses and drawing revision schedule. Risk: missed addenda or superseded drawings can create immediate variation exposure.UNI-02 - Confirm document hierarchy, inconsistencies and precedence are understood before award. Verify contract conditions, scope of works, specifications, drawings, schedules and consultant reports. Risk: scope ambiguity often transfers cost to the party with the weakest paper trail.UNI-03 - Identify design responsibility, delegated design, engineering certification and shop drawing obligations. Verify design responsibility matrix, consultant brief, performance specifications and subcontractor qualifications. Risk: unpriced design obligations can delay procurement and certification.UNI-04 - Confirm whether survey, setout, benchmarks, tolerances and final certification are included. Verify survey control drawings, setout requirements, tolerances and as-built survey deliverables. Risk: setout errors create downstream clashes and rework.UNI-05 - Confirm temporary works, access, cranage, scaffolding, hoists, propping and protection are clearly allocated. Verify temporary works register, site logistics plan, methodology and access requirements. Risk: temporary works gaps are high cost and often sit between packages.UNI-06 - Confirm permits, shutdowns, isolations, out-of-hours work, traffic control and authority notifications. Verify authority approvals, shutdown calendar, stakeholder requirements and programme constraints. Risk: missing allowances can affect both cost and critical path.UNI-07 - Confirm responsibility for builder work openings, penetrations, sleeves, embeds, plinths, supports and making good. Verify builder work schedule, services coordination drawings and architectural details. Risk: most trade gaps occur at interfaces rather than in the trade core work.UNI-08 - Confirm samples, prototypes, mock-ups, shop drawings and approval hold points are priced and programmed. Verify submittal register, consultant approval process and lead-time schedule. Risk: late approvals can shift risk into acceleration or substitution.UNI-09 - Confirm testing, inspections, ITPs, statutory certificates, NCC/access compliance, commissioning, warranties and O and M manuals. Verify QA plan, compliance matrix, test schedules, commissioning matrix and handover requirements. Risk: unpriced compliance deliverables can block practical completion.UNI-10 - Confirm exclusions, assumptions, provisional sums, PC sums, nominated suppliers and latent condition qualifications. Verify tender return schedules, clarifications, exclusions and cost breakdowns. Risk: commercial assumptions need to be accepted, rejected or converted into contract wording.UNI-11 - Confirm protection, cleaning, waste, storage, delivery access and damage rectification responsibilities. Verify site rules, waste strategy, logistics plan and protection methodology. Risk: damage and clean-up gaps often become informal cost leakage.