Illustrative example only

Sample variation review

A self-contained fictional example: the answer first, the amount to query and the question to send your builder.

Illustrative sample — not a client case

Is this variation justified?

Not yet justified

Needs clarification

On the documents shown: possible overlap with work already included.

Variation claimed

A$7,800

Amount to query

A$3,200

Needs clearer support

All illustrative amounts are GST-inclusive. No further GST is added.

Practical action

Ask the builder to separate the A$3,200 slab-preparation charge from the excavation already included in the original scope.

Could this save money?

Potentially, if the charge duplicates included work. No saving is established; further evidence may justify some or all of it.

Document-based position

This fictional example identifies a question to resolve, not a legal verdict, approved discount or established saving.

Fictional source extracts for this example

The basis for the sample position

Source text	Observation	Financial significance	Next question
Original scope: “Excavation associated with slab preparation is included in the contract scope.”	Slab-preparation excavation is expressly included in this fictional scope.	Provides the comparison point for the A$3,200 line.	Ask the builder to distinguish any additional slab-preparation work.
Variation: “Additional excavation outside the original slab footprint” — A$4,600	Described separately; not independently certified as fair or legally payable.	This line is not identified as the amount to query in this example, but supporting quantities and cost detail should still be reviewed.	Please provide the quantities and cost support for the excavation outside the original slab footprint.
Variation: “Slab-preparation excavation” — A$3,200	No distinction from the original included excavation, quantities or basis for an additional charge is supplied in this example.	A$3,200 needs clearer support because the fictional original scope already includes slab-preparation excavation.	Please separate this line from the slab-preparation excavation included in the original scope and provide quantities and cost support.

Original scope: “Excavation associated with slab preparation is included in the contract scope.”
Observation
Slab-preparation excavation is expressly included in this fictional scope.
Financial significance
Provides the comparison point for the A$3,200 line.
Next question
Ask the builder to distinguish any additional slab-preparation work.
Variation: “Additional excavation outside the original slab footprint” — A$4,600
Observation
Described separately; not independently certified as fair or legally payable.
Financial significance
This line is not identified as the amount to query in this example, but supporting quantities and cost detail should still be reviewed.
Next question
Please provide the quantities and cost support for the excavation outside the original slab footprint.
Variation: “Slab-preparation excavation” — A$3,200
Observation
No distinction from the original included excavation, quantities or basis for an additional charge is supplied in this example.
Financial significance
A$3,200 needs clearer support because the fictional original scope already includes slab-preparation excavation.
Next question
Please separate this line from the slab-preparation excavation included in the original scope and provide quantities and cost support.

All illustrative amounts are GST-inclusive. No further GST is added. The A$7,800 total equals A$4,600 plus A$3,200.

Ready-to-send wording

A calm question for the builder

“Please explain how the A$3,200 slab-preparation excavation line differs from the excavation included in the original contract scope, and provide the separate quantities and cost support for this additional charge.”

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Illustrative example only. Actual findings depend entirely on the documents supplied. VariationCheck does not provide legal advice, engineering certification or formal quantity-surveying certification.