Project and Construction Administration
What to know
Project and construction administration covers delivery from bidding through closeout. Candidates must distinguish the owner–landscape architect agreement from the owner–contractor contract and know how delivery methods (design-bid-build, design-build, construction manager at risk, negotiated) shift risk. Understand bidding: prequalification, bid documents, addenda, bid bonds, alternates, unit prices, and award. During construction the landscape architect typically observes for general conformance, reviews submittals, responds to requests for information (RFIs), prepares supplemental instructions, evaluates change orders, certifies payment, and conducts punch-list and substantial completion inspections.
Traps
Questions test the difference between observation and supervision: the designer observes, while the contractor supervises means and methods. Do not accept that a landscape architect can direct a contractor's employees. Change orders require owner approval; a construction change directive can proceed before pricing is settled. Pay-when-paid clauses, retainage, liquidated damages, differing site conditions, and cardinal changes appear as scenarios. Payment certification is not a guarantee of work quality, and a designer's site visit does not create a duty to catch every defect.
Rule of thumb
Retainage example: contract $1,200,000, 5% retainage, work 50% complete. Earned value $600,000; retainage $30,000; payment $570,000. At substantial completion many contracts reduce or release retainage. Verify the actual contract terms rather than assuming.