Construction Administration Services Flashcards
According to AlA Document A20l, General Conditions of the Contract for Construction (CCAC Document 2, Stipu lated Price Contract), which of the following methods CAN NOT be used to make changes in the work once construction has started?
A. work modification form
B. order for minor change in the work
C. change order
D. construction change directive
The answer is A.
Solution
A work modification form is not an acceptable way to change the scope of the work. According to Article 7 of AlA Docu ment A20l, changes in the work can be made by change order, construction change directive, or order for a minor change in the work without invalidating the contract, subject to lim itations in the article and elsewhere in the contract docu ments.
- Study Note: Be thoroughly familiar with AlA (CCAC/ CCDC) document provisions concerning change orders and the procedures used in making changes in the work.
When a contractor proposes a substitution of a mate rial or method of construction that is specified in the con tract documents, the architect’s responsibility in reviewing the substitution includes
A. proving that the proposed substitution is equivalent to the original
B. finding documentation that relates to the substitution
C. forwarding the request to the owner
D. approving or disapproving the request
The answer is D.
Solution
Any request for substitution by the contractor must be made in writing and must be accompanied by a complete descrip tion of the proposed substitution, including drawings, test data, and other information necessary for an evaluation. The burden of proof of the merit of the substitution falls upon the contractor. The architect only has to review the submission and either approve or disapprove it.
During a site visit, the architect notes that the con tractor is using unapproved materials that were not origi nally specified. Before work can be stopped under the provisions of AlA Document A201 (CCAC Document 2), what must occur?
A. The contractor must show cause why the unapproved materials are being used.
B. The owner must issue a written order to the contractor to stop the work.
C. The architect must give written notice of intent to stop the work and wait seven days.
D. The architect, with the approval of the owner, must issue a stop work order.
The answer is B.
Solution
Only the owner has the right to stop the work, according to the provisions of Article 2 of AlA Document A201 (CCAC Document 2). The owner may stop the work if the contrac tor fails to correct work not in accordance with the require ments of the contract documents or persistently fails to carry out work in accordance with the contract documents.
Article 3.4 (CCAC Document 2) states that the contractor may make substitutions only with the consent of the owner, after evaluation by the architect and with a change order.
- Study Note: Review the provisions of the standard gen eral conditions that relate to the owner’s responsibilities, including the information provided by the owner and the owner’s right to carry out the work.
During construction, the architect suspects that an incorrect type of plumbing piping has been installed. How ever, the contractor has covered the work with a partition because the architect did not request in advance to examine it. The architect now requests that the contractor tear out a portion of the partition in order to facilitate inspection. Upon review, the plumbing is found to be incorrect. The party responsible for the cost of uncovering the work is the
A. architect
B. owner
C. contractor
D. plumbing subcontractor
The answer is C.
Solution
Article 12 of AlA Document A201 (CCAC Document 2), states that if no specific request has been made to examine work, and if the work is subsequently covered, the owner must pay for the uncovering if the work is found to con form to the contract documents. If the work is found not to conform to the contract documents, then the contractor is responsible for the cost of uncovering the work.
During construction, the architect is obligated to visit the site to keep the client informed about the progress and quality of the work. According to the basic provisions of AlA Document B141 (RAIC Document 6) these visits must occur
A. every week
B. every two weeks
C. as appropriate to the stage of the contractor’s operations
D. only if they have been written into the agreement as extra services
The answer is C.
Solution
Site visits are part of the basic services of contract adminis tration, but no specific time interval for them is given in the contract. AlA Document B141 states that the architect shall visit the site at intervals appropriate to the stage of the con tractors operations or as agreed by the owner and architect. RAIC Document 6 requires that the architect keep the client informed of the progress and quality of work observed dur ing the course of the general review/field review, but also does not give any specific time intervals.
During a site visit, the architect notices that a worker has installed studs using a spacing that is not in accordance with the drawings. Under the provisions of AlA Document A201 (CCAC Document 2) the authority to reject this work rests with the
A. architect
B. owner
C. owner and architect
D. general contractor
The answer is A.
Solution
According to AlA Document A201 (CCAC Document 2), the architect has the authority to reject work that does not conform to the contract documents.
During construction, the contractor makes a claim to the architect to extend the contract time because the prop erty owner delayed in supplying certain equipment. Under AlA Document A201 (CCAC Document 2) which of the fol lowing actions by the architect is NOT permitted?
A. Tell the owner and contractor that a determina tion cannot be made, due to a lack of informa tion.
B. Request additional information from the contractor.
C. Refer the claim to the owner’s attorney.
D. Suggest a compromise.
The answer is C.
Solution
Under the provisions of Article 4.4.2 of AlA Document A201 (CCAC Document 2), when reviewing a claim, the architect must take one or more of the following actions: 1) approve the claim, 2) reject the claim, 3) suggest a com promise, 4) request additional supporting data from the claimant or a response with supporting data from the other party, or 5) advise the parties that the architect is unable to resolve the claim due to a lack of sufficient information to evaluate the merits of the claim or because the architect concludes that it would be inappropriate for the architect to resolve the claim.
Before finish work has started, the architect reminds the contractor that moisture tests are required by the spec ifications for all concrete on which resilient flooring will be placed. The party responsible for the cost of the tests is the
A. architect
B. owner
C. contractor
D. flooring subcontractor
The answer is C.
Solution
Article 13.5 of AlA Document A201 (CCAC Document 2) states that tests, inspections, and approvals of portions of the work required by the contract documents or by laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, or orders of public authori ties shall be paid for by the contractor. The contractor must also make arrangements for the tests and notify the architect of when they will be conducted.
Study Note: If testing becomes required after receipt of bids or after contract negotiations and is not part of the original contract documents, then the owner becomes responsible for paying for the testing. This provision applies to testing required by the architect, owner, or public authorities having jurisdiction. This situation might happen if the building field inspector requires a test that was not anticipated.
A pressure test on plumbing supply piping required by the specifications reveals a leak in the system. According to AlA Document A201 (CCAC Document 2) the responsi bility for fixing the leak and paying for a follow-up test rests with the
A. owner
B. contractor
C. plumbing subcontractor
D. owner and contractor jointly
The answer is B.
Solution
Although the plumbing subcontractor may ultimately reim burse the contractor, according to AlA Document A201 (CCAC Document 2), the contractor is responsible for all costs made necessary by failures, including costs of repeated tests.
A change order can be requested by the
A. architect
B. owner
C. architect or owner
D. architect, owner, or contractor
The answer is D.
Solution
Any of the three parties may request or suggest a change order. The paperwork is prepared by the architect, and all three parties must agree to and sign it.
- Study Note: Understand the three ways changes can be made during construction: through change order, con struction change directive, or minor change in the work.
According to AlA Document A20l, the contractor may reasonably ask for an extension in the contract time without penalty for all of the following reasons EXCEPT
A. an owner’s stop work order
B. slow work by a subcontractor
C. the architect’s delay in approving shop drawings
D. labor disputes
The answer is B.
Solution
Article 8.3 of AIA Document A20l states the reasons for an extension to the contract time. Slow work by a subcontrac tor does not constitute a valid reason. The contractor is responsible for keeping the project on schedule unless there are mitigating circumstances as stated in Article 8.3.
Which of the following parties are required to agree to a construction change directive?
A. architect and owner
B. architect and contractor
C. owner and contractor
D. architect, owner, and contractor
The answer is A.
Solution
Article 7.1.2 of AIA Document A20 l states that a construc tion change directive requires agreement by the owner and architect and may or may not be agreed to by the contractor.
During foundation construction, the property owner directs the architect to have the contractor reposition an upper-floor door by 3 ft (l m). The wall has not yet been framed, and this relocation does not affect any other con struction. The architect should notify the contractor of this change with
A. an addendum
B. a change order
C. a construction change directive
D. an order for a minor change in the work
The answer is D.
Solution
This type of change would probably not require a change in the contracted sum or time and would not be inconsistent with the intent of the contract documents, so the architect may direct the change with an order for a minor change in the work (with or without the owner’s approval).
- Study Note: If this type of alteration is requested after the door opening is framed, it will probably involve a change in the contract sum and time, so a change order will be required. If the change is needed but the parties cannot immediately agree to the provisions of the adjustment (due to reasons of time, money, or both), a construction change directive can be used, and the time or money pro visions are worked out at a later time.
During construction, the contractor asks the architect to approve a substitution for the floor tile originally specified, because the proposed new tile can be delivered faster. According to AlA Document A20l (CCAC Document 2), which of the following statements are true about this request?
I. the owner’s consent is required
II. if approved, the tile will not be covered by warranty III. the substitution must be made with a change order IV the architect must evaluate the request
A. I and II only
B. III and IV only
C. I, III, and IV only
D. II, III, and IV only
The answer is C.
Solution
Article 3.4.2 in AlA Document A20l (CCAC Document 2) states that the contractor may make substitutions only with the owners consent, after evaluation by the architect and in accordance with a change order. The substitution will be covered by warranty:
According to AlA Document A201 (CCAC Document 2) the architect’s duties when processing the contractor’s application for payment include all of the following EXCEPT
A. comparing work done and materials stored to the contractor’s schedule of values
B. making an exhaustive on-site inspection to ver
ify that work has been completed properly
C. approving a certificate for payment if the archi tect feels the contractor is due payment in the amount stated
D. using previous site visits to determine that the work is in accordance with the contract docu ments
The answer is B.
Solution
Article 9.4.2 of AlA Document A201 (CCAC Document 2) specifically states that the issuance of a certificate for pay ment is not a representation that the architect has 1) made exhaustive or continuous on-site inspections, 2) reviewed construction means, methods, techniques, sequences, or procedures, 3) reviewed copies of requisitions received from subcontractors and other data, or 4) made examina tion to ascertain how or for what purpose the contractor has used money previously paid.
- Study Note: Understand the entire process of payments and completion.
According to AlA (CCAC/CCDC) Documents, the amount of retainage withheld from each application for payment is
A. 5% of the amount due
B. 10% of the amount due
C. 10% of the total contract price
D. as stated in the owner-contractor agreement
The answer is D.
Solution
The amount of retainage is determined and defined in AlA Document Al01 (CCDC Document 2). The exact percent age is whatever is agreed to by the parties involved. The percentage of retainage can differ for work done and for stored materials.
When reviewing applications for payment, which of the following does the architect do? (Choose the four that apply.)
A. verify that adequate safety precautions are being observed by the contractor
B. determine if the completed work will be in accordance with the contract documents
C. become generally familiar with the progress and quality of the work
D. keep the owner informed about the progress of the work
E. check if the quantities of the installed work are as required by the contract documents
F endeavor to guard the owner against defects in the work
The answer is B, C, D, and E
Solution
AlA Document B141 (RAIC Document 6) states the reasons the architect visits the site and his or her responsi bilities regarding applications for payment. When reviewing pay applications, the architect is responsible for determin ing whether work completed complies with the require ments of the contract documents. He or she should be generally familiar with the progress of the work and com municate this to the owner. The goal of the architect’s involvement and review should be to endeavor to guard the owner against defects in the work.
The architect is not responsible for safety at the site or for the means, methods, or techniques of construction, includ ing verifying quantities of materials.
- Study Note: Review all of the listed duties and responsi bilities of the architect contained in both AlA Document B141 and AlA Document A201 (CCDC Document 2 and RAIC Document 6).
During a construction phase site visit, the architect notices that a finish subcontractor is not installing a floor ing material properly. What should be the architects first response?
A. Inform the owner in writing of the situation.
B. Withhold the appropriate amount on the con
tractor’s application for payment.
C. Tell the contractor the work is not in confor
mance with the contract documents.
D. Notify the subcontractor that their work is not being properly installed.
The answer is C.
Solution
According to AlA Document A20l (CCAC Document 2), communication by and with subcontractors and materials suppliers shall be through the contractor. The architect should inform the contractor of the improper installation, and the contractor is responsible for coordinating the repair with the subcontractor.
During the punch list inspection, the architect notices several items that are not completed and that will make it impossible for the client to occupy the space. According to AlA Document A20l (CCAC Document 2), which of the following actions must the architect take?
A Notify the owner of the incomplete items.
B. Notify the contractor that there are unfinished items that must be finished before the project will be determined substantially complete.
C. Prepare a certificate of substantial completion with a list of incomplete items attached.
D. Revise the punch list and resubmit it to the contractor.
The answer is B.
Solution
Document A20l (CCAC Document 2) requires that the architect notify the contractor of the unfinished items if they are not sufficiently complete in accordance with the contract documents, so that the owner can occupy the work or a designated portion thereof for its intended use. This must happen before the architect can issue a certificate of substantial completion.
After reviewing an application for payment, the archi tect decides to withhold the certificate for payment under the provisions of AlA Document A20 l (CCAC Document 2). Which of the following statements about this situation is true?
A The architect needs to withhold the entire amount.
B. The architect must notify the owner, who then notifies the contractor.
C. The architect and contractor must agree on a revised amount.
D. The architect can nullify a previous certificate to protect the owner.
The answer is D.
Solution
The architect can nullify a previous certificate to protect the owner.
AlA Document A20l (CCAC Document 2) allows the archi tect to withhold the whole amount or a partial amount. If payment is to be withheld, the architect must notify the owner and contractor. The architect and contractor do not necessarily have to agree on the amount, although they should attempt to arrive at a mutually agreeable sum that accurately represents the amount of work completed.
A project is substantially complete when
A the work is finished except for items on the punch list
B. the architect has determined that the building is nearly finished
C. the contractor has notified the architect that the work is complete
D. the owner can utilize the building for its intended use
The answer is D.
Solution
Substantial completion means that the work or a designated portion of the work is sufficiently complete in accordance with the contract documents so that the owner can occupy or utilize the work for its intended use. A building can be substantially complete while still having minor items that the contractor must finish.
According to AlA Document A20l (CCAC Docu ment 2), the contractor must submit an affidavit that all bills have been paid by the contractor before the owners final payment is made. This affidavit must be submitted to the
A. architect
B. owner
C. owners surety
D. owners attorney
The answer is A.
Solution
Various documents required prior to final payment must be submitted to the architect. The architect then forwards them to the owner while keeping a copy for the project records.
Upon completion of the work, which of the following items must the contractor submit? (Choose the two that apply)
A. extra stock of materials as listed in the specifications
B. a certificate of occupancy
C. copies of all change orders completed during the course of the work
D. warranties and operating instructions as required in notes on the mechanical drawings
E. certificates of inspection
F. certificates of testing
The answer is A and D.
Solution
Items required by the contract documents, either in the specifications or on the drawings, must be submitted to the owner before the work is considered complete. If these items have not been forwarded to the architect for trans mission to the owner, they can be included as outstanding items in the architect’s comments on the punch list.
Copies of change orders are not required at this time, as this paperwork would be issued throughout the course of the project. Certificates of testing are required to be submitted to the architect promptly after each test, not at the comple tion of the work. Certificates of inspection and a certificate of occupancy would be issued by the building official.
- Study Note: In addition to the items listed in the ques tion, the contractor must also submit to the architect all documents required with the application for final pay ment, maintenance contracts, and a set of record draw ings if required by the contract documents.
Which of the following is probably of LEAST concern to a subcontractor?
A. the number of times equipment must be mobi- lized
B. the types of tools needed to build a project
C. workers’ skill level needed to complete the work
D. other trades that will be working on the same part of the construction at the same time
The answer is B.
Solution
A subcontractor would be most interested in the number of times equipment must be brought to a job site, what kinds of workers will be required to complete the work, and pos sible interference with other trades, because all of these have cost and time implications. The types of tools needed may, under some circumstances, have some bearing on cost if they must be purchased or rented, but normally tools are available and do not represent a significant portion of the total cost.
To a certain extent, the architect can control these variables and therefore exercise some control over cost by designing and detailing so that construction may proceed in the most straightforward manner.