As usage of the NEC (formerly the New Engineering Contract) family of contracts continues to grow worldwide, so does the importance of understanding its clauses and nuances to everyone working in the built environment.

Currently in its fourth edition (NEC4), this set of contracts is different to others in concept as well as format, so users may well find themselves needing a helping hand along the way.

Understanding the NEC4 Professional Service Contract uses plain English to lead the reader through the NEC4 Professional Service Contract’s key features and differences from its predecessor, the NEC3 Professional Services Contract, including:

• Main and Secondary Options
• the use of early warnings
• programme provisions
• payment
• compensation events
• preparing tender documents

Common problems experienced when using the Professional Service Contract are signalled to the reader throughout, and the correct way of interpreting each clause explained. The way the contract affects procurement processes, dispute resolution, project management and risk management are all addressed in order to direct the user to best practice.

Written for construction professionals, by a practising international construction contract consultant, this handbook is the most straightforward, balanced and practical guide to the NEC4 Professional Service Contract available. It is an ideal companion for Clients, Contractors, Service Managers, Project Managers, Supervisors, Engineers, Architects, Quantity Surveyors, Subcontractors and anyone else interested in working successfully with the NEC4 Professional Service Contract.

Kelvin Hughes spent 18 years in commercial management with major contractors, then the past 28 years as a consultant, including a four-year senior lectureship at the University of Glamorgan (now “University of South Wales”). He has been a leading authority on the NEC contract since 1996 was Secretary of the NEC Users’ Group for 10 years and has run over 1,700 NEC training courses.