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.
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 average contingency rate falls between 20-40%, with most lawyers charging around 33% to 35% of the total amount recovered in a case. The exact percentage can vary depending on the complexity of the case, the lawyer's experience, and the stage at which the case is resolved.