ARE 5.0: CE cheat sheet

Bid security: a bid bond is typically 5–10% of the bid amount; performance and payment bonds are each 100% of the contract sum.

Addenda are issued only before the bid deadline, become part of the contract documents, and must be acknowledged on the bid form; failure to acknowledge can make a bid nonresponsive.

Delivery methods: design-bid-build (sealed low bid), design-build (single entity holds design and construction risk), CM at risk (holds trade contracts, often a GMP), CM agency (advisor with no construction risk).

Total float = late start − early start = late finish − early finish; activities with zero total float lie on the critical path.

GMP contracts: the contractor's compensation cannot exceed the stated maximum; savings below the GMP are returned or shared per the agreement, and overruns are the contractor's risk absent owner-directed changes.

Value engineering savings are shared per the contract clause (commonly 50/50); owner-directed scope reductions are handled as a change order, not VE.

Prequalification screens bidders on financial capacity, bonding capacity, safety record (EMR), and comparable project experience before the bid list is issued.

Builder's risk insurance covers damage to the work in place during construction and is commonly purchased by the owner under AIA A101.

The owner may reject any or all bids and waive informalities; bid opening ends the bidding phase, and late bids are returned unopened.

The architect visits the site at intervals appropriate to the stage of the work to observe general conformance; visits are not continuous and do not guarantee the contractor's work.

Construction means, methods, techniques, sequences, and procedures are solely the contractor's responsibility; the architect does not supervise or control them.

Observation reports are dated, factual, and distributed to owner and contractor; they record conditions and do not direct changes to cost or time.

Known nonconforming work must be reported in writing promptly; allowing nonconforming work to proceed without notice can waive the right to require correction.

Differing site conditions: the contractor stops affected work and notifies the architect, who evaluates; the contractor may be entitled to an equitable adjustment in cost and time.

Site safety, OSHA compliance, and protection of persons and property belong to the contractor; the architect has no authority over safety programs.

Shop drawing review confirms conformance with the design concept only; the review stamp does not relieve the contractor of responsibility for quantities, dimensions, and field conditions.

Testing of questionable work may be ordered by the architect; the owner pays if the work proves acceptable and the contractor pays if it does not.

Mock-ups and samples are approved before the related work proceeds, and the approved mock-up sets the standard for workmanship and appearance.

RFIs must be answered in writing; the response is incorporated into the contract documents but changes cost or time only through a change order.

A change order is signed by owner, architect, and contractor and states the change in contract sum and/or contract time.

A construction change directive is signed only by owner and architect; the contractor must proceed and pricing is negotiated or determined later.

An architect's supplemental instruction conveys a minor interpretation that does not change contract sum or time and requires no contractor signature.

The architect must certify a complete application for payment within 7 days of receipt or return it with written reasons within that same period (AIA A201).

Retainage is commonly 5–10% of each progress payment; a portion is released at substantial completion and the balance at final completion.

Lien waivers are conditional (effective only when payment is received) or unconditional (effective on signing), and progress or final in scope.

Time extensions are granted only for excusable, non-contractor-caused delays; contractor-caused delay generally carries no extension unless the owner waives liquidated damages.

The contractor maintains red-lined record documents reflecting actual installed conditions; the architect may examine them at any time.

Substantial completion is the stage at which the work is sufficiently complete for the owner's intended use; the architect's certificate starts warranty periods and releases part of retainage.

Final completion requires completion of all punch list items, final inspection, the final payment application, final lien waivers, and consent of surety.

Closeout submittals include record (as-built) documents, O&M manuals, warranties, attic stock, spare parts, keys, and evidence of final cleaning.

A certificate of occupancy is issued by the authority having jurisdiction confirming code compliance and legal use; a temporary CO may carry conditions and an expiration date.

Consent of surety to final payment confirms the surety's bonded obligations are satisfied and is typically a prerequisite to releasing final retainage.

The warranty period is commonly one year from substantial completion; the architect determines whether a reported defect is covered or is normal wear or owner misuse.

A post-occupancy evaluation is typically performed roughly 6–12 months after occupancy using occupant surveys, performance data, and maintenance records.

The final certificate for payment (AIA G704) is issued after final inspection and certifies that the work is complete in accordance with the contract documents.

Bid security: a bid bond is typically 5–10% of the bid amount; performance and payment bonds are each 100% of the contract sum.

Addenda are issued only before the bid deadline, become part of the contract documents, and must be acknowledged on the bid form; failure to acknowledge can make a bid nonresponsive.

Delivery methods: design-bid-build (sealed low bid), design-build (single entity holds design and construction risk), CM at risk (holds trade contracts, often a GMP), CM agency (advisor with no construction risk).

Total float = late start − early start = late finish − early finish; activities with zero total float lie on the critical path.

GMP contracts: the contractor's compensation cannot exceed the stated maximum; savings below the GMP are returned or shared per the agreement, and overruns are the contractor's risk absent owner-directed changes.

Value engineering savings are shared per the contract clause (commonly 50/50); owner-directed scope reductions are handled as a change order, not VE.

Prequalification screens bidders on financial capacity, bonding capacity, safety record (EMR), and comparable project experience before the bid list is issued.

Builder's risk insurance covers damage to the work in place during construction and is commonly purchased by the owner under AIA A101.

The owner may reject any or all bids and waive informalities; bid opening ends the bidding phase, and late bids are returned unopened.

The architect visits the site at intervals appropriate to the stage of the work to observe general conformance; visits are not continuous and do not guarantee the contractor's work.

Construction means, methods, techniques, sequences, and procedures are solely the contractor's responsibility; the architect does not supervise or control them.

Observation reports are dated, factual, and distributed to owner and contractor; they record conditions and do not direct changes to cost or time.

Known nonconforming work must be reported in writing promptly; allowing nonconforming work to proceed without notice can waive the right to require correction.

Differing site conditions: the contractor stops affected work and notifies the architect, who evaluates; the contractor may be entitled to an equitable adjustment in cost and time.

Site safety, OSHA compliance, and protection of persons and property belong to the contractor; the architect has no authority over safety programs.

Shop drawing review confirms conformance with the design concept only; the review stamp does not relieve the contractor of responsibility for quantities, dimensions, and field conditions.

Testing of questionable work may be ordered by the architect; the owner pays if the work proves acceptable and the contractor pays if it does not.

Mock-ups and samples are approved before the related work proceeds, and the approved mock-up sets the standard for workmanship and appearance.

RFIs must be answered in writing; the response is incorporated into the contract documents but changes cost or time only through a change order.

A change order is signed by owner, architect, and contractor and states the change in contract sum and/or contract time.

A construction change directive is signed only by owner and architect; the contractor must proceed and pricing is negotiated or determined later.

An architect's supplemental instruction conveys a minor interpretation that does not change contract sum or time and requires no contractor signature.

The architect must certify a complete application for payment within 7 days of receipt or return it with written reasons within that same period (AIA A201).

Retainage is commonly 5–10% of each progress payment; a portion is released at substantial completion and the balance at final completion.

Lien waivers are conditional (effective only when payment is received) or unconditional (effective on signing), and progress or final in scope.

Time extensions are granted only for excusable, non-contractor-caused delays; contractor-caused delay generally carries no extension unless the owner waives liquidated damages.

The contractor maintains red-lined record documents reflecting actual installed conditions; the architect may examine them at any time.

Substantial completion is the stage at which the work is sufficiently complete for the owner's intended use; the architect's certificate starts warranty periods and releases part of retainage.

Final completion requires completion of all punch list items, final inspection, the final payment application, final lien waivers, and consent of surety.

Closeout submittals include record (as-built) documents, O&M manuals, warranties, attic stock, spare parts, keys, and evidence of final cleaning.

A certificate of occupancy is issued by the authority having jurisdiction confirming code compliance and legal use; a temporary CO may carry conditions and an expiration date.

Consent of surety to final payment confirms the surety's bonded obligations are satisfied and is typically a prerequisite to releasing final retainage.

The warranty period is commonly one year from substantial completion; the architect determines whether a reported defect is covered or is normal wear or owner misuse.

A post-occupancy evaluation is typically performed roughly 6–12 months after occupancy using occupant surveys, performance data, and maintenance records.

The final certificate for payment (AIA G704) is issued after final inspection and certifies that the work is complete in accordance with the contract documents.

Bid security: a bid bond is typically 5–10% of the bid amount; performance and payment bonds are each 100% of the contract sum.

Addenda are issued only before the bid deadline, become part of the contract documents, and must be acknowledged on the bid form; failure to acknowledge can make a bid nonresponsive.

Delivery methods: design-bid-build (sealed low bid), design-build (single entity holds design and construction risk), CM at risk (holds trade contracts, often a GMP), CM agency (advisor with no construction risk).

Total float = late start − early start = late finish − early finish; activities with zero total float lie on the critical path.

GMP contracts: the contractor's compensation cannot exceed the stated maximum; savings below the GMP are returned or shared per the agreement, and overruns are the contractor's risk absent owner-directed changes.

Value engineering savings are shared per the contract clause (commonly 50/50); owner-directed scope reductions are handled as a change order, not VE.

Prequalification screens bidders on financial capacity, bonding capacity, safety record (EMR), and comparable project experience before the bid list is issued.

Builder's risk insurance covers damage to the work in place during construction and is commonly purchased by the owner under AIA A101.

The owner may reject any or all bids and waive informalities; bid opening ends the bidding phase, and late bids are returned unopened.

The architect visits the site at intervals appropriate to the stage of the work to observe general conformance; visits are not continuous and do not guarantee the contractor's work.

Construction means, methods, techniques, sequences, and procedures are solely the contractor's responsibility; the architect does not supervise or control them.

Observation reports are dated, factual, and distributed to owner and contractor; they record conditions and do not direct changes to cost or time.

Known nonconforming work must be reported in writing promptly; allowing nonconforming work to proceed without notice can waive the right to require correction.

Differing site conditions: the contractor stops affected work and notifies the architect, who evaluates; the contractor may be entitled to an equitable adjustment in cost and time.

Site safety, OSHA compliance, and protection of persons and property belong to the contractor; the architect has no authority over safety programs.

Shop drawing review confirms conformance with the design concept only; the review stamp does not relieve the contractor of responsibility for quantities, dimensions, and field conditions.

Testing of questionable work may be ordered by the architect; the owner pays if the work proves acceptable and the contractor pays if it does not.

Mock-ups and samples are approved before the related work proceeds, and the approved mock-up sets the standard for workmanship and appearance.

RFIs must be answered in writing; the response is incorporated into the contract documents but changes cost or time only through a change order.

A change order is signed by owner, architect, and contractor and states the change in contract sum and/or contract time.

A construction change directive is signed only by owner and architect; the contractor must proceed and pricing is negotiated or determined later.

An architect's supplemental instruction conveys a minor interpretation that does not change contract sum or time and requires no contractor signature.

The architect must certify a complete application for payment within 7 days of receipt or return it with written reasons within that same period (AIA A201).

Retainage is commonly 5–10% of each progress payment; a portion is released at substantial completion and the balance at final completion.

Lien waivers are conditional (effective only when payment is received) or unconditional (effective on signing), and progress or final in scope.

Time extensions are granted only for excusable, non-contractor-caused delays; contractor-caused delay generally carries no extension unless the owner waives liquidated damages.

The contractor maintains red-lined record documents reflecting actual installed conditions; the architect may examine them at any time.

Substantial completion is the stage at which the work is sufficiently complete for the owner's intended use; the architect's certificate starts warranty periods and releases part of retainage.

Final completion requires completion of all punch list items, final inspection, the final payment application, final lien waivers, and consent of surety.

Closeout submittals include record (as-built) documents, O&M manuals, warranties, attic stock, spare parts, keys, and evidence of final cleaning.

A certificate of occupancy is issued by the authority having jurisdiction confirming code compliance and legal use; a temporary CO may carry conditions and an expiration date.

Consent of surety to final payment confirms the surety's bonded obligations are satisfied and is typically a prerequisite to releasing final retainage.

The warranty period is commonly one year from substantial completion; the architect determines whether a reported defect is covered or is normal wear or owner misuse.

A post-occupancy evaluation is typically performed roughly 6–12 months after occupancy using occupant surveys, performance data, and maintenance records.

The final certificate for payment (AIA G704) is issued after final inspection and certifies that the work is complete in accordance with the contract documents.