The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has hit all parties in the construction process, but none more than owners. It was their job to decide to halt or defer projects, decide when or whether to resume projects, deal with the financial consequences and figure out how to handle claims arising from their decisions.

Like the rest of the industry, the pandemic took owners by surprise, and most were uncertain on how to handle the situation. Stephen Mulva, director of the Construction Industry Institute, Austin, Texas, notes one CII owner-member lamented that his company had a robust plan for shutdowns from hurricanes, but nothing for pandemics.