Kontraktsverk

Kontraktsverk is a term used in Norwegian and other Scandinavian languages to denote a work produced under a formal contract between a client and a contractor. The contract specifies the work’s scope, requirements, price, timetable, and acceptance criteria. The concept is applied across several sectors, most notably construction and architecture, visual arts, music, literature, and public procurement, where a commissioning body seeks a defined outcome rather than an open-ended creation.

Key features of a kontraktsverk include clearly defined deliverables, a budget or fixed price, and agreed milestones. The contract often sets procedures for changes, quality assurance, and acceptance testing. Intellectual property rights, liability, risk allocation, warranties, and termination provisions are typically addressed. Procurement rules may dictate competitive bidding, direct negotiations, or other selection processes, depending on the jurisdiction and project type.

In architecture and construction, kontraktsverk commonly refer to turnkey or completed-works arrangements, where the contractor is responsible for delivering a finished project ready for use. In the arts and culture sector, it refers to commissioned works created for patrons, museums, or public programs, produced under agreed terms and compensation.

Similar terms in English include commissioned work, contract work, or turnkey project, though usage varies by field. The concept emphasizes formal agreement, defined outcomes, and responsibility allocation between client and contractor.