Our Sectors
At Rimkus, we pride ourselves in providing professional, commercial, contract management and expert services to both public and private sectors. Our dynamic and driven team has experience across multiple sectors including mining, infrastructure, oil and gas, and commercial and residential buildings.
Our depth of talent and experience allows us to successfully provide a broad range of services to meet the variable requirements of our clients, which fall into five distinct yet related elements of our service offering:
EXPERT SERVICES
COMMERCIAL AND CONTRACT ADVISORY
CONSTRUCTION CLAIMS CONSULTING
DISPUTE MITIGATION AND RESOLUTION
TRAINING
At Rimkus, we understand that the successful provision of our services is built around our highly qualified and dedicated staff. Our consultants are from multi-disciplinary, diverse backgrounds and are members of numerous professional organisations, including The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, the Resolution Institute of Australia, the Risk Management Institute of Australasia and the Institution of Civil Engineers.
It is our people and integrated service offering that ensures our clients receive a truly high-end service offering, and in turn outstanding commercial and dispute resolution results.
Commercial and Contract Advisory
On construction and engineering projects, the implementation of rigorous, robust yet practical commercial, contractual and program management procedures is critical to success.
Rimkus provides technical expertise during the pre-contract (bid and negotiation) and postcontract (construction) phases of projects to provide support in the following areas:
Bid / Tender Phase
- Preparation and drafting of Memorandum of Understandings, Teaming Agreements, Joint Venture Agreements, Tender Services Deeds and similar
- Delivery model/procurement strategy analysis and selection
- Procurement advice, preparation, evaluation, recommendation and award
- Review/preparation of head contract terms and conditions
- Preparation of contract conditions and Preparation of commercial/contract risk profiles
- Preparation of mitigation measures and/or contractual and commercial qualifications
- Review of supply chain qualifications and preparing responses
- Preparation of tender documentation including risk and opportunity management schedules
- Cash-flow forecasting and analysis
Delivery / Construction Phase
- Functional advice on commercial team structure responsibilities and competency framework
- Supply chain procurement advice, preparation, evaluation, recommendation and award
- Budget setting, Work Breakdown Structure development and advice, cash-flow forecasting
- Commercial risk and opportunity management and coordination
- Preparation and implementation of contractual and commercial administrative systems including change control (corporate and project specific)
- Drafting of contractual and commercial correspondence (head contract and supply chain)
- Commercial training and development at project or corporate level
- Variation identification, valuation preparation, submission and negotiation
- Representation at contract and commercial progress meetings
- Contract and commercial management of subcontractors and suppliers
- Contract performance reviews and reporting procedures
- Insurance claim preparation, negotiation and settlement
- Final account management
Scheduling and Planning
- Baseline schedule development and review
- Schedule analysis and critical path analysis
- Schedule risk identification, constructability analysis and mitigation
- Tender scheduling
- Design, procurement and construction scheduling
- Project close out and systems commissioning scheduling
- Schedule narrative development
- Schedule health check assessment
- Schedule local network development
- Work Breakdown Structure development
- Process mapping
- Planning team management and training
- Construction and logistics phasing plans
- Peer reviews
- Progress monitoring and reporting
- Key Performance Indicators (KPI) reporting
- Management dashboard reporting
Risk Management
- A critical area in complex engineering and construction projects and programs of work is Risk Management. Risk is inherent to varying degrees in all forms of construction. The assessment and effective management of risk is fundamental to the achievement of the project’s critical success factors. Risks that are not properly identified and managed are likely to lead to delay, cost overruns, conflicts and disputes.
- Based on our experience of dealing with large-scale infrastructure projects and expert commercial and contractual knowledge internationally, Rimkus understands the actual risks involved as opposed to theoretical scenarios. We understand the different drivers globally and are well placed to advise on what is an acceptable level of risk for the scope of work and what party is best able to manage the relevant risks.
- Our risk management services, which form part of our Commercial and Contractual Advisory Services are tailored to ensure that risks are identified, analysed and appropriately managed at both project and corporate level.
Expert Services
Rimkus’ internationally acclaimed experts provide unrivalled analysis and insight, trusted by insurers, lawyers, and industry clients worldwide.
Rimkus is one of the world’s leading providers of independent expert services to the global insurance and construction and engineering industries.
Our multidisciplinary expert team comprises a global network of trusted and highly qualified practitioners in architecture, delay and planning, engineering, quantity surveying and project controls. They share a common attribute – a deep industry knowledge gained through many years of ‘hands-on’ experience.
All of our experts are trained to the highest standard to deal with and analyse complicated issues, and present their findings in a well-structured, clear and persuasive report, bringing clarity and precision to the most complex of disputes.
Expert Witness Services
Our experts are experienced in acting as independent expert witnesses in litigation, arbitration and other ADR forums, including the provision of expert testimony and opinion under cross-examination.
Rimkus has over 125 experts across its global network, covering many delay, quantum and technical disciplines, including:
DELAY
▪ Extension of time assessment ▪ Delay and disruption analysis ▪ Project planning ▪ 4D modelling and visualisation
QUANTUM
- Contract administrationDamages claims
- Loss and expense claims
- Quantity surveying best practice
- Quantum assessment and analysis
TECHNICAL
- Architecture
- Building defects
- Building services
- Civil and structural engineering
- Construction failure
- Geotechnical
- Marine engineering
- Mechanical and electrical engineering
- Professional competence and standard of care
- Project management
Expert Advisory
Our expert advisory services include the provision of recommended actions and best practices that are necessary to maximise the chances of success in claim or defence submissions and dispute resolution matters.
The diverse professional backgrounds of our experts allow us to bridge the gap between technical and legal issues and facilitate a quick understanding of complex disputes.
This includes carrying out health checks, which analyse and report on the strengths and weaknesses of existing claim submissions and dispute situations and provide recommendations on the appropriate strategy and course of action to be implemented.
Our expert advisory service focuses on the amicable resolution of disputes and can often help clients to understand the true potential of their position and the related chances of success, which ultimately can lead to an early settlement and reduction in costs.
Expert Determination
Rimkus are engaged to undertake assessments of claims and/or disputes as a preliminary measure prior to the initiation of formal dispute proceedings such as litigation or arbitration. Our experts can be appointed by companies or parties seeking independent expert determination as an alternative method of dispute resolution. We have experience of giving both binding and non-binding expert determinations in relation to a range of technical issues.
Claims Consulting Services
Rimkus’ claim and dispute resolution consultants are entirely informed by first-hand experience and a deep industry knowledge, which ultimately enables us to address the real issues with authority and insight.
Dispute Avoidance
We understand that prevention is better than cure, so the time to actively start practicing dispute avoidance is as early as possible in the project lifecycle.
Rimkus’ dispute avoidance services aim to ensure that project and business objectives are analysed and incorporated into the project planning process at an early stage. Historically, most disputes arise as a result of pre-contract issues so our main focus is to proactively manage contractual and commercial risk from the outset to reduce issues during the project execution phase. Dispute avoidance requires a ‘hands-on’ proactive approach such as risk management, achieving clarity within the contract documentation and working collaborative during the project execution phase.
Rimkus’ primary objective is to assist its clients in avoiding lengthy and costly dispute processes and to facilitate early and amicable resolution wherever practicable. Foremost, we always urge our clients to resolve disputes amicably by means of a negotiated settlement.
Claims Management and Advisory
Rimkus has over three decades of providing effective claims management and advisory services to clients involved in insurance and construction disputes. We believe every dispute is unique and we tailored our approach accordingly. Our experienced and multi-disciplinary experts provide clear and commercially driven strategic guidance that preserves working relationships and ensures the earliest possible settlement.
We formulate a recommended strategy and timeline based on our client’s specific objectives and desired outcomes and work collaboratively with their project team to implement it.
No matter how carefully a construction project is planned and managed, conflicts and disputes can arise.
We help our clients to avoid disputes where necessary by managing claims through to agreement and establishing clarity around contractual entitlement and liability, in a costeffective and amicable way.
Preparation and Evaluation of Contractual Claims
Rimkus is one of the world’s leading claims consulting firms. Our reputation for technical excellence is entirely formed by first-hand experience and a deep industry knowledge, which ultimately enables us to identify and deal with the real issues with authority and insight.
Our global network of practitioners, many of whom are dual qualified, holding both technical and legal qualifications, are experienced in preparing, evaluating and defending claims for extensions of time, prolongation, disruption and loss of productivity, acceleration, termination and suspension, disputed variations and breach of contract and damages claims.
In order to maximise the chances of success, our claims preparation process always adheres to the following distinct fundamentals:
- Identification of events and circumstances
- Establishing liability
- Establishing contractual entitlement and basis of claim
- Compliance with notice requirements and any other procedural mechanisms
- Establishing causation
- Preparation of delay analysis (for extension of time claims) using a suitable methodology
- Compilation of substantiation and all pertinent evidence
Delay, Disruption, and Acceleration Analysis
Our delay, disruption, and acceleration analysis may include:
- Review and audit of contemporary programmes
- Preparation and/or validation of updated programmes
- Preparation and/or validation of as-built programmes
- Preparation and/or validation of acceleration programmes and analysis
- Preparation and/or validation of disruption assessments, including analysis of production rates
- Data analytics
- Use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and 4D modelling and visualisation technologies
- Delay analysis using the most appropriate methodology
The selection of the most appropriate method is dependent upon various factors, including, the provisions of the applicable contract, the point in the project lifecycle at which the analysis is carried out and the purposes for which the analysis is being undertaken, for example, interim relief, settlement discussions or formal dispute proceedings. Rimkus’ delay analysis services are tailored to suit the facts of each case.
Quantum Analysis
Our quantum analysis may include:
- Identification of contractual entitlement to recover cost and/or value
- Preparation of cost claims (including prolongation, acceleration and disruption / loss of productivity costs)
- Valuation of variations
- Analysis of tender rates and escalation costs
- Benchmarking
- Preparation of loss and expense and damage claims
When establishing the cost related elements of contractual claims, it is necessary to provide detailed evidence to support the amounts claimed. Rimkus’ quantum preparation and analysis services also include a detailed review of all available contemporaneous cost data and the presentation of such data in an auditable, particularised and logical format.
Dispute Resolution
Rimkus’ claim and dispute resolution consultants provide support to its clients during formal dispute resolution proceedings and ADR. Our services are aimed at ensuring the proceedings are advanced in a cost effective and efficient manner. Our experts are experienced in:
- Litigation
- Arbitration
- Adjudication
- Dispute advisory boards (DAB)
- Mediation
- Conciliation
- Structured negotiation
- Early neutral evaluation (ENE)
- Expert determination
- Tactical dispute management advice
- Dispute management strategy implementation
- Assistance in the preparation of pleadings
- Factual witness statements
- Compilation of evidence
- Disclosure and discovery
- Attendance at hearings
Training
Rimkus delivers seminars and provides training in the following areas:
Commercial and Contract Management Best Practices
- Forms of contract
- Commercial and contract management – procedures and best practices
- Change management and valuation
- Commercial and contract management of subcontractors
Claims and Dispute Management
- Claim preparation and management
- Quantification of claims and variations
- Delay analysis, methodologies and approaches
- Typical disputes and dispute resolution methodologies
- Dispute boards – practice and procedures
In-house Training Development
- Claim preparation and management
- Quantification of claims and variations
- Delay analysis, methodologies and approaches
- Typical disputes and dispute resolution methodologies
- Dispute boards – practice and procedures
Insurance Services
Rimkus is widely recognised as the market leader in providing specialist consultancy services to the global insurance industry.
Rimkus is the market leader in providing time, cost and technical services to global insurance markets. For nearly three decades, our dedicated professionals have been providing expert analysis on some of the largest and most complex construction, engineering, energy, power, and property claims around the world.
Whether providing consulting, expert advisory or expert witness services, Rimkus deliver a unique, multidisciplinary service that combines delay, quantum and technical in a single multidisciplinary team.
Investigating engineering issues and quantifying the time and cost impacts requires a deep industry knowledge and a clear understanding of important inter-relationships and complex cause and effect issues to achieve the best outcome. Our experts in each of these disciplines work hand-in-hand as one team to deliver an integrated solution for our clients that is relevant, efficient and dependable.
Delay Analysis (DSU)
Having advised on over 300 DSU claims globally, including the world’s largest and most complex, our experts have unrivalled experience in the analysis of delay for projects carrying DSU.
Rimkus is regarded as a thought leader on DSU delay analysis contributing to industry publications, texts and speaking at global conferences.
Project Monitoring
An industry leading monitoring and progress verification service. The Rimkus PM product uses a bespoke set of key criteria developed from our unrivalled monitoring expertise.
Adopting current Stochastic methods, Rimkus is able to confidently predict the likelihood of a project achieving the planned completion date.
Timeline Analysis (BI)
Rimkus has assessed some of the world’s largest Business Interruption claims, working with Insurers and Loss Adjusters to verify the period of interruption following significant damage from major events and working collaboratively to identity any impacts from maintenance, betterment and turnaround scopes.
Failure Analysis
Rimkus provide forensic and consulting engineering services which can be deployed for establishing failure mechanisms in the course of root cause investigations.
Damage Assessment
Following damage, our site deployed technical experts undertake detailed assessments to establish the extent of damage. This includes heat mapping, metallurgical analysis and other NDT techniques.
Risk Advisory
With a broad range of industry experts Rimkus offers efficient and timely advice on multi-industry risks. Our services range from independent, third-party expert reviews, to underwriter information reports and estimated / probable maximum loss analysis.
Scope Evaluation / Verification
Upon completion of an initial damage assessment, our integrated team of quantity surveyors, cost consultants and practicing engineers accurately establish the scope and associated cost of reinstatement, with a proactive, expedient and transparent approach in delivering cost certainty.
Professional Indemnity
Our experts are commonly appointed to defend claims or to provide technical, time and/or cost support to a subrogation / recovery process. Our multidisciplinary teams are trusted internationally, which often leads to early settlement in negotiations or mediation, avoiding protracted and expensive legal proceedings.
