@holycow
For your information, the FIDIC contract is complex and best suited for civil works contracts and international contracts, rarely is it used in normal buiding contracts in Kenya.
The PPOA Contract on the other hand is designated for public authorities and government institutions.
For kawaida construction like the one me, u and others here are likely to engage in, the best contract document is the Joint Building Council(JBC) Conditions of contract and agreement for building works, prepared by the Architectural Association of Kenya and KABCEC(Kenya Assoc of Building and Civil Engineering Contractors). Though it has its shortfalls, it represents the interests of all the parties in a building contract.
The JBC Document(Green book) is available at the Professional Centre @ KShs.3,500. Its always advisable to buy two docs, one to be retained by the contractor and one with the client after having registered the contracts at the Ministry of Lands for which is not always done by many.
This contract has many clauses which are elaborate and all inclusive, and since its an agreement, the parties can choose to delete any clause they want by cancelling them out. For example, to caution against flactuation of prices, exchange rates, taxes... you will jus cancel out the Fluctuation clauses and in so doing u get a fixed sum contract. Other clauses usually deleted are the insurance and liability clauses.
Regarding softwares, QSs also have softwares built and designated for their work such as QSCad, Masterbill Elite, WinQs, QsElite, QScript.. Etc. However, even their use requires much knowledge and human input as any project is unique in its own way say in terms of site conditions, parties involved, the structure&client requirements,time, scope, quality.....
As i sed earlier, let those who are specialists in their area do their job, the specialisation will guarantee you quality work and value for your money. We can all do anything if not all if we work hard at it, but by doin all we'l never reach perfection.