Contract notice deadlines: how to track them so claims aren't waived
Find every "within N days" clause and get reminded before the deadline passes.
The problem
Subcontracts and prime contracts are full of time limits: notice of a claim within 7 days, a change order request within 10 days of a directive, payment applications by the 25th, cure periods, warranty notices. Missing one can waive a claim entirely, regardless of its merit. The clauses are scattered across the agreement, general conditions and supplementary conditions, and the clock starts from an event (a directive, a delay, a discovery) that only the project team knows the date of.
A practical process
- At contract award, list every time limit with the clause and page, and whether it counts calendar or business days.
- For each, note the triggering event (receipt of a directive, the start of a delay, and so on).
- When the event happens, record the date and calculate the due date immediately.
- Put the due date in a calendar and set reminders before it, not on it.
How DocuFinds handles it
DocuFinds scans a project's contracts for every "within N days after…" style requirement (notices, claims, payments, cures) and lists them with the clause. Enter the date of the event and it calculates the due date, counting calendar or business days as the clause says, and adds it to your calendar. Finding the clauses is done by reading the text, without AI cost.
Signed-in users can also receive email reminders a week before, the day before and on the day a deadline is due, and can switch them off at any time.
Frequently asked questions
How do I track notice deadlines in a construction contract?
List every time limit with its clause, triggering event and day type (calendar or business), record the event date when it happens, and calendar the due date with reminders. DocuFinds finds the clauses and calculates the due dates for you.
Do business days and calendar days make a difference?
Yes, often several days. DocuFinds counts the way the clause states, including U.S. federal holidays for business days.
What happens if notice is late?
Under many contracts a late notice can waive the claim. Always check your contract's specific wording with your project lead or counsel.
Can I get reminders by email?
Yes. Signed-in DocuFinds users can get reminder emails a week before, the day before and on the day a deadline is due.
Try it on your own documents
Upload a project and ask your first question. Every answer links to the exact page.
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