This contingency is normally calculated as a percentage. If the phase is 100 days of effort, contingency at 20% would be another 20 days. As the project progresses, the level of risk reduces as the requirements and issues become known, so the percentage will be reduced.
Typically, most construction projects use a contingency rate of 5% to 10% from the total project budget. This is typically enough to cover any unexpected costs that may arise throughout the project.
The Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice clarifies a contingency allowance as the amount, or percentage, included in the project budget to cover unpredictable changes in the work or items of work. It serves three core purposes: To account for errors and omissions in the construction documents.
Project contingency is simply the process by which you account for uncertainty in that estimation by factoring in any risk. This is then added to the original estimate to ensure the company is prepped for a worst-case scenario that could otherwise derail a project.
Contingency costs can be incurred during any of the construction project phases. For example, a design error may lead to an unexpected increase in material expenses before ground-breaking. At the same time, a stretch of inclement weather might delay or complicate final detailing and sign-off steps.
What Is a Contingency? A contingency is a potential occurrence of a negative event in the future, such as an economic recession, natural disaster, fraudulent activity, terrorist attack, or a pandemic.
Set aside a well-researched contingency amount, typically between 5% and 10% of the overall project budget.