Turn assumptions into questions
Look for references to access, empty rooms, identified materials, disposal arrangements, service status or the condition of retained construction. For each assumption, ask who supplied the information and whether it has been verified for this project.
Distinguish an allowance, an exclusion and an unresolved condition. The terms can affect the agreement differently, so ask the contractor to explain its intended meaning. Do not assume that a broad line such as “all demolition” overrides specific exclusions elsewhere in the document.
Assign a way to resolve uncertainty
Some assumptions can be confirmed from owner records; others need a site review or specialist assessment. Record the appropriate next step and who arranges it. Avoid filling an information gap with a guess simply to keep the proposal moving.
Ask what happens if the assumed condition is different. The response should identify the decision process for a changed scope, rather than giving open-ended permission to perform additional work. Seek suitable advice where contractual wording is unclear.
Keep resolved assumptions with the scope
When new information arrives, ask whether the proposal needs revision. Keep the confirmation and revised quotation together so the current basis is clear. In a YAK enquiry, label unknown conditions honestly and identify what has already been assessed. That makes the next discussion more useful than presenting uncertainty as a fixed fact.
Bring these details
- Identify the source of each assumption
- Assign the confirmation task
- Revise the proposal when its basis changes