Project management: Additional work outside of scope

[Peter Kolzow]

I will be project managing 20 town homes in the near future. I have managed single properties and utilize a detailed scope of work for our properties. As we all know challenges arise that were not figured in the original scope and I ran into two main problems.

1. The contractor found the problem and did not relay it to me so I fine out at inspection or when the pipe leaked that was not connected.

2. We tend to be price gouged by our contractor when a problem outside of the scope was brought to my attention.

Any suggestions on how to make sure that contractors point out any potential problems and prevent being price gouged by them?