Write a delay notice that protects my right to a time extension
A timely, factual written notice of delay that meets contract requirements and documents cause, impact, and requested relief.
The prompt
Write a written notice of delay on a construction project.
Recipient and contract relationship: [OWNER / GC / CONSTRUCTION MANAGER]
Notice clause in my contract: [PASTE IT - deadline, method, who must receive it]
Cause of delay: [e.g. late RFI answer, owner change, differing site condition, unusually severe weather, permit/inspection holdup, late material]
When it started and whether it is ongoing: [DATES]
Activities affected: [SCHEDULE ACTIVITIES AND WHETHER ON CRITICAL PATH]
Supporting records: [DAILY REPORTS, RFIs, EMAILS, PHOTOS, WEATHER DATA]
What I am asking for: [TIME EXTENSION / COST / BOTH / RESERVING RIGHTS]
Write a notice that:
1. States in the first sentence that this is formal notice of delay under [SECTION], so it cannot be mistaken for a routine update.
2. Describes the cause factually with dates and references.
3. Explains the impact on specific activities and the completion date, or says the full impact is still being assessed.
4. States the relief requested and reserves the right to submit cost and time details by a stated date.
5. Requests direction if needed (e.g. whether to accelerate).
6. Stays neutral and professional; no accusations.
Also return:
- A checklist of what to keep documenting daily until the delay ends.
- A note if the notice deadline in my clause looks close or past.
Rules: do not invent dates, sheet numbers, or weather data; use [CONFIRM]. Delivery method matters, so follow my contract's notice clause exactly. This is general information; have my attorney review notices on disputed or high-value delays.
Highlighted [brackets] are blanks to replace with your own details.
Fill in the blanks and use this promptMore Email & Workplace Communication prompts
What to fill in
- OWNER / GC / CONSTRUCTION MANAGER
- PASTE IT - deadline, method, who must receive it
- DATES
- SCHEDULE ACTIVITIES AND WHETHER ON CRITICAL PATH
- DAILY REPORTS, RFIs, EMAILS, PHOTOS, WEATHER DATA
- TIME EXTENSION / COST / BOTH / RESERVING RIGHTS
- SECTION
- CONFIRM
How this prompt is built
This prompt follows the Few-Shot structure (Few-shot prompting). A few-shot prompt includes one or more worked examples of the input and the output you want, so the model can copy the pattern instead of guessing it.
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