Pin down the dates your construction contract holds you to
Schedule terms in construction documents set when work starts, when it must reach substantial and final completion, which interim milestones apply, and what happens if the work runs late. They are spread across the agreement, the conditions and the schedule requirements in Division 01. Ask Search+ about each date and its consequences, and open the cited excerpt to read how the date is defined and measured.
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Last updated October 2026
How to find schedule terms with Search+
- Upload the agreement, conditions and schedule sections
Add the agreement, the general and supplementary conditions and the Division 01 scheduling section. Milestone dates are often in the agreement, while delay rules sit in the conditions.
- Ask for each date and how it is measured
Ask what the commencement date is, what substantial completion means and how many days the contract allows. Dates can be calendar or working days, so ask which.
- Ask what happens when work is late
Ask about extensions of time, delay notices and liquidated damages. Read the cited clauses together, because extensions can affect damages.
Questions about schedule and milestones
How many days does the contract allow to reach substantial completion, and are they calendar days?
Are there interim milestones, such as dry-in or turnover of a phase, and do they carry their own damages?
Is there a liquidated damages rate for late completion, and from which date does it apply?
What causes of delay entitle the contractor to an extension of time?
How often must the contractor submit an updated schedule, and in what form?
What to look for in schedule terms
Substantial completion and final completion are usually defined terms. The definition decides when the clock stops.
A period stated in working days can last much longer than the same number of calendar days. Check which one the documents use.
Many contracts set a daily amount for late completion instead of proving actual loss. The amount and enforceability vary by project and governing law.
Weather, owner changes and other events may justify extra time, often only if notice is given promptly. The rules are in the cited conditions.
Search+ answers with citations to the excerpts that state each date or period, so you can confirm the numbers on the page.
Schedule wording and what it signals
| Wording you may see | What it usually signals | A follow-up question |
|---|---|---|
| "Date of Commencement" | When the contract time starts | Is it a fixed date or set by a notice to proceed? |
| "Substantial Completion" | The work is usable for its intended purpose | How is substantial completion certified? |
| "liquidated damages" | A set amount per day of delay | Does it apply to interim milestones too? |
| "time is of the essence" | Deadlines are strict | Which obligations does this phrase cover? |
| "extension of the Contract Time" | A path to more time | What notice is required to request it? |
| "Notice to Proceed" | Formal start instruction | How long after the notice must work begin? |
What are schedule milestones in construction documents?
Schedule milestones are the dates and periods the construction documents set for the work, such as commencement, interim milestones, substantial completion and final completion, together with the rules for delays and extensions.
Schedule milestone questions
Can Search+ find the substantial completion date?
Will it find the liquidated damages amount?
Can it tell me what counts as excusable delay?
Can I check milestone dates across several phases or projects?
Is this legal advice on a delay claim?
Know which dates you are held to
Start a workspace, upload the contract documents, and ask about each milestone.
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