We use cookies to keep the site stable, remember basic preferences, and understand which pages are useful. You can accept, reject, or review the settings before continuing.
January 15, 2025
A focused blog post built around practical decisions and constraints.
When a mining or energy company looks for a civil works contractor, the first obstacle is usually neither the budget nor the deadline. It is the service format. Often, a standard earthmoving package is hired when what is really needed is fragmented subcontractor management with on-site technical supervision. Or the other way around: a comprehensive solution is requested when the project only requires specific equipment for a particular phase.
At Vassecontracting we work with three main formats. The first is the comprehensive service: ideal for greenfield projects where a single company handles everything, from the environmental impact study to final compaction. The second is subcontractor management, which we use when the client already has their own equipment but needs specialized coordination for heavy civil works. The third is technical capacity rental, designed for companies that only require specific machinery (large bulldozers, excavators) during limited time windows.
The decision is not trivial. Choosing a format that does not fit the project can generate cost overruns of 20% to 30% just in equipment mobilization and demobilization. That is why, before signing any contract, we review three variables: schedule predictability, the number of simultaneous work fronts, and the level of supervision the client can provide. With that, the format defines itself.
This approach avoids generic promises. We do not offer "innovative solutions" or "frictionless experiences." We offer a realistic framework for the work, with clear tradeoffs from day one. If the project requires earthmoving in the Neuquén basin with restricted access, it does not make sense to hire a comprehensive service with cranes and concrete included. It is better to separate the phases and assign specific resources to each one.
The next time you evaluate a civil works contract, ask yourself: is this format designed for my project or for the contractor's portfolio? The answer is usually in the scope details, not in the service name.
Technical documentation, construction plans, and key questions for the initial meeting.
Read more →Deadlines, insurance, subcontractors, and environmental impact studies.
Read more →Articles that complement topics on civil works and contractor management.
Technical documentation, construction plans, and environmental requirements that should be ready before the initial meeting with the engineering team.
Read article →Comparison between hourly, milestone-based, and outcome-based contracts. When each scheme is suitable depending on the type of work and client profile.
Read article →The most frequent doubts about deadlines, subcontractors, impact studies, and machinery capacity before signing a civil works contract.
Read article →