General Contractor Prompting Guide

❌Weak Prompt

✅ Powerful Prompt

“liquidated damages”

“What are the liquidated damages specified in this contract, how much per day, and what specific events trigger them? Include any caps or limitations mentioned.”

“retention”

“What is the retainage percentage held from progress payments, when is it released, and are there any provisions for early release upon substantial completion?”

“OCIP”

“Does this project require participation in an Owner Controlled Insurance Program (OCIP)? If so, what coverages are provided and what insurance must I still carry separately?”

“force majeure”

“What events qualify as force majeure under this contract, what is the notification process, and how do time extensions get calculated for qualifying delays?”

“change order”

“What is the process for submitting change orders in this contract? Include approval time-frames, required documentation, and any markup limitations on labor and materials.”

❌Weak Prompt

✅ Powerful Prompt

“what about Additional Warranties”

“What about Additional Warranties - what specific systems require extended warranties beyond the standard warranty period, and what are my responsibilities for obtaining and managing these warranties?”

“what about consequential damages”

“What about consequential damages - Is there a waiver of consequential damages in the contract and who is it in favor of, the Contractor, Owner, or both? Any exclusions?”

“what about weather conditions”

“What about weather conditions - what specific weather events qualify for time extensions, what documentation is required, and how quickly must I notify the owner of weather delays?”

❌Weak Prompt

✅ Powerful Prompt

“Find weekly meetings”

“What are the requirements for weekly progress meetings including who must attend, what topics must be covered, and what documentation or reports are required?”

“show me subrogation”

“What are the subrogation requirements in this contract, which parties waive subrogation rights, and how does this affect my insurance coverage requirements?”

“find areas that mention weather delays”

“What does this contract say about weather delays including qualifying conditions, notification requirements, documentation needed, and how time extensions are calculated?”

❌Weak Prompt

✅ Powerful Prompt

“Are general conditions lump sum”

“Are general conditions lump sum or time-based in this contract? If lump sum, what specific items are included and excluded? If time-based, what rates apply and what triggers additional costs?”

“can we hold payment from subcontractor”

“Under what specific conditions can we withhold payment from subcontractors according to this contract? What documentation is required, what notice periods must be followed, and what are the legal implications?”

❌Weak Prompt

✅ Powerful Prompt

“section 3”

“What does Section 3 cover regarding [specific topic you’re researching], and how do these requirements affect my responsibilities as the general contractor?”

“where are the contacts listed”

“Where are the key project contacts listed, including the owner’s representative, architect, and any other parties I need to coordinate with during construction?”

❌Weak Prompt

✅ Powerful Prompt

“final completion, not substantial”

“How are substantial completion and final completion defined in this contract, what criteria must be met for each, and how do these milestones affect retainage release and warranty periods?”

“roof is leaking, what am I required to do”

“If there’s a roof leak during construction, what are my immediate responsibilities according to this contract, what notice requirements apply, and how are repair costs and delays handled?”