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Staying organized

Force Majeure

The short answer

Force majeure is a delay caused by something outside your control, such as weather or a late part. It changes how you explain the delay. You still owe the client a plan.

What it means

A late job usually falls into one of two groups. Either you could have planned around the cause, or you could not. Force majeure names the second group. Examples are bad weather that stops outdoor work and a supplier who misses a delivery date. Another is a trade on the same job who has not cleared the way for you. None of it is your fault. The client is still waiting on a date.

Naming the cause does not replace giving a new time. Terms that mention force majeure usually excuse a fee for the delay itself. They do not excuse you from telling the client early and offering a fixed next step.

For example

A fence job is booked for Tuesday, but heavy rain makes the ground unsafe to dig. You call the client on Monday evening and explain that the weather has stopped the job. You offer Thursday instead. The client does not find out on the day.

The mistake to avoid

Sending "it was the weather" as the whole message, with no new date. The client needs a plan as well as a reason.

General information, not legal or tax advice. Rates and rules vary by place; check yours. See our terms for the full version of this note.

See also

Lead TimeCall-Out Fee

Where this shows up

Guide

Running late and overruns — what to say, and how to stop the repeat

This site covers a client who moves your date. It says little about the day you run late, the job that overruns, or a postponement you must make yourself. Tell the client early. Name a new time in the same message. Then add one habit so it stops repeating.

 Templates

Delay and overrun scripts, for the day the hold-up is yours

Seven messages for the day you run late, run over, or get blocked. Cover running late today, an overrun into tomorrow, a postponement, weather, and a late part. Add another trade that is not finished. One script apologises after you miss a slot. Fill in your details once at the top of this page, and every script below updates.

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