Article 464 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
المادة 464 من نظام المعاملات المدنية · الفرع الثاني: التزامات المقاول
The article puts the expenses of the machines and tools needed to complete the work on the contractor, unless the parties agree otherwise.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يتحمَّل المقاول نفقات ما يستلزمه إنجاز العمل من آلات وأدوات، ما لم يتفق على خلاف ذلك.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 464 explained in plain English
This article settles a practical question that recurs in contracting contracts: who bears the cost of the machines and tools needed to complete the work? The answer is that the rule is that the contractor bears it.
The text speaks of the "machines and tools" that completing the work requires, which are distinct from the "materials" on which Article 463 regulates the contractor's obligations, whether the contractor supplies them at the client's stipulation or the client supplies them.
But this rule is not mandatory; it applies "unless otherwise agreed". The parties may agree that the client will supply some machines or bear their cost.
In practice, the contract should clarify this point, especially for work needing large or costly equipment, to avoid a later dispute. It is followed by Article 465, which requires the contractor to complete the work according to the terms of the contract and within the agreed period. In a dispute over these expenses it is possible to consult a lawyer specializing in civil matters or in contracting and real estate cases.
Practical example
A landowner in Qassim contracted with a contractor to dig the foundations of a building, and the work required renting an excavator and a concrete mixer. The contract contained no provision on equipment, so their cost is on the contractor. Had the parties agreed that the owner would bear the excavator rental, their agreement would apply.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 464 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
Who bears the cost of machines and tools in a contracting contract?
The contractor bears it, unless the parties agree otherwise.
Can the client bear the cost of equipment?
Yes, if the parties agree to that, because the article makes the rule apply unless otherwise agreed.
More articles on Contracting (Construction) Contract
- Article 167
The article regulates performance of an obligation to perform work: the creditor's right to refuse performance by anyone but the debtor, performance at the debtor's expense with or without court permission when urgent, and a judgment standing in for the work.
إذا كان الالتزام بعمل فتسري على تنفيذه الأحكام الآتية: أ- إذا نص الاتفاق أو اقتضت طبيعة العمل أن ينفذ المدين الالتزام بنفسه جاز للدائن أن يرفض الوفاء من غير الم
- Article 461
The article defines the contracting (muqawala) contract as one in which the contractor undertakes to make a thing or perform work for a fee, without being subordinate to or an agent of the client.
المقاولة عقدٌ يلتزم بمقتضاه المقاول بصنع شيءٍ أو أداء عملٍ مقابل أجر دون أن يكون تابعًا لصاحب العمل ولا نائبًا عنه.
- Article 462
The article allows the contractor to carry out the work with materials supplied by the contractor or with materials supplied by the client.
يصح أن يكون التزام المقاول بتنفيذ العمل بمواد من عنده أو من صاحب العمل.
- Article 463
The article sets the contractor's obligations on materials: if the contractor supplies them, they must meet the specifications or be fit for the purpose by custom; if the client supplies them, the contractor must safeguard them, observe technical rules and return what is left.
1- إذا اشترط صاحب العمل أن يقدم المقاول المواد كلها أو بعضها؛ كان المقاول مسؤولًا عن توفر الشروط والمواصفات المتفق عليها إن وجدت، وإلا التزم بأن تكون وافيةً بال
- Article 465
The article requires the contractor to complete the work according to the contract terms and within the agreed period, failing which according to the recognized standards and within the reasonable time the nature of the work requires.
يلتزم المقاول بإنجاز العمل وفقًا لشروط العقد وفي المدة المتفق عليها، فإن لم تكن هناك شروطٌ أو لم يُتفق على مدةٍ التزم بإنجازه وفقًا للأصول المتعارف عليها وفي ال
- Article 466
If the contractor breaches the contract, the client may call on the contractor to correct the work and then give it to another contractor at the contractor's expense or request termination, and may request termination at once in specified cases.
1- إذا أخل المقاول بشروط العقد أثناء سير العمل فلصاحب العمل إعذاره بالالتزام بها وتصحيح العمل خلال مدة معقولة يعينها له، فإذا انقضت هذه المدة دون تصحيح فلصاحب ا
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.