If a contractor's supplier goes on strike, what should you do?

If a contractor's supplier goes on strike, what should you do?

• A. Contact the owner immediately
• B. Sue the supplier
• C. Increase the bid
• D. Do nothing

Answer: (A)

When a supplier goes on strike, the immediate priority is to communicate with the owner about potential impacts. This keeps the project transparent and allows everyone to adjust plans proactively. By letting the owner know there may be delays or changes in material availability, you can together explore practical options—such as identifying substitute materials, sourcing alternative suppliers, or reworking the schedule. This approach also sets up the proper process for handling changes through a change order, so any added costs or extended timelines are documented and agreed upon. Suing the supplier doesn’t address the project needs and can create a liability-heavy path that doesn’t solve the scheduling problem. Increasing the bid without a justified basis isn’t appropriate and can damage trust and breach contractual expectations. Doing nothing leaves the owner in the dark about delays, which can lead to claims of mismanagement. A swift, open update helps protect the project, the contractor’s reputation, and the owner’s interests.

When a supplier goes on strike, the immediate priority is to communicate with the owner about potential impacts. This keeps the project transparent and allows everyone to adjust plans proactively. By letting the owner know there may be delays or changes in material availability, you can together explore practical options—such as identifying substitute materials, sourcing alternative suppliers, or reworking the schedule. This approach also sets up the proper process for handling changes through a change order, so any added costs or extended timelines are documented and agreed upon.

Suing the supplier doesn’t address the project needs and can create a liability-heavy path that doesn’t solve the scheduling problem. Increasing the bid without a justified basis isn’t appropriate and can damage trust and breach contractual expectations. Doing nothing leaves the owner in the dark about delays, which can lead to claims of mismanagement. A swift, open update helps protect the project, the contractor’s reputation, and the owner’s interests.