NEC4 time limits: a working checklist
Use this selected ECC checklist to build a project-specific register. Check amendments, agreed extensions and the communication rules before calculating a deadline.
Practical commentary on NEC4 ECC. Read alongside the edition, options, Contract Data and amendments used on your project.
Common notification and reply periods
| Action | Usual ECC period | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Early warning | As soon as aware of the relevant matter | Clause 15.1; separate from a CE notice |
| Contractor CE notification | Eight weeks from awareness that the event has happened | Clause 61.3 and the PM-notification exception |
| PM reply to that notification | One week | Clause 61.4; agreed extensions |
| Contractor quotation | Three weeks from instruction | Clause 62; permitted extensions |
| PM reply to quotation | Two weeks from submission | Clause 62; permitted extensions |
| PM programme response | Two weeks from submission | Clause 31.3 |
Add the failure notice to the timetable
For clause 61.4, deemed acceptance requires a notice of failure followed by a further two weeks without a reply. Clause 62.6 also uses a failure notice and a further two weeks for the quotation process. Under clause 31.3 the further period after the failure notice is one week.
Do not mark an item accepted solely because the initial response date has passed. Retain the notice and evidence of its communication.
Complete the checklist for your project
Add the period for reply from Contract Data, programme revision intervals, design submissions, payment notices, final assessment and dispute procedures. Identify the relevant trigger for each. This page does not list every time obligation or replace the executed contract.
Assign an owner, record agreed extensions and review approaching deadlines with the site and commercial teams. Do not assume a weekend or bank holiday automatically moves a deadline.
Sources and further reading
- NEC: Purposes of notifications
- NEC: Accepted programmes
- GMH Planning/CECA: Responses, time bars and deemed acceptances (practical commentary; check the applicable contract and amendments).
- GMH webinar: communicating effectively (practical commentary; check the applicable edition and amendments).
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