ARE 5.0 cheat sheet

Net multiplier = net revenue ÷ direct labor; a value of 3.0 means each $1 of direct labor produces $3 of revenue to cover overhead and profit.

Break-even multiplier = (direct labor + indirect expenses) ÷ direct labor; billing below it produces a loss on every hour worked.

Utilization rate = direct (billable) labor hours ÷ total paid hours; low utilization raises the multiplier needed to break even.

Billing rate = direct salary rate × (1 + payroll burden) × net multiplier; burden covers taxes, insurance, and benefits.

Lump-sum fees shift cost-overrun risk to the architect; hourly (time-and-materials) fees shift that risk to the owner.

Standard of care is the skill and care ordinarily used by architects under similar circumstances - a negligence benchmark, not a warranty of results.

A statute of limitations runs from discovery of a defect; a statute of repose runs from substantial completion and bars claims regardless of discovery.

Under AIA B101, basic services run from schematic design through construction contract administration; programming, extensive redesign, and post-occupancy evaluation are additional services.

Critical path = longest duration path through the network; its total float is zero and it sets the project duration.

Total float = late start − early start (equal to late finish − early finish); free float is the delay possible before the next activity slips.

Crashing adds labor, equipment, or overtime to a critical-path activity to shorten it and usually increases cost.

Fast-tracking overlaps design and construction phases; it compresses schedule but increases rework and change-order risk.

An RFI asks the design team to clarify the contract documents; the answer becomes part of the project record and may lead to an ASI or change order.

A construction change directive orders work before price and time are agreed; a change order is the signed instrument adjusting contract sum or time.

Risk responses are avoid, mitigate, transfer (insurance, bonds, indemnity), and accept.

Schedule logic: a predecessor must finish before its successor starts (finish-to-start) unless a lag, lead, or another relationship is defined.

Efficiency ratio = net assignable area ÷ gross building area; office and institutional projects commonly target 0.65–0.80.

Floor area ratio (FAR) = total gross floor area ÷ site area; zoning caps FAR and lot coverage as separate, independent limits.

Occupant load = floor area ÷ the code's occupant-load factor for that use (e.g., 15 net sf per occupant for assembly with tables and chairs).

Required egress width = occupant load × capacity factor: 0.2 in per occupant on level components, 0.15 in where sprinklered, 0.3 in at stairs.

A single exit is allowed only within narrow code limits (e.g., business occupancy with 49 or fewer occupants and 75 ft or less travel); otherwise two means of egress are required.

Programming sequence: establish goals, collect and analyze facts, uncover and test concepts, determine needs, then state the problem.

At solar noon in the northern hemisphere the sun lies due south, and solar altitude = 90° − latitude + solar declination.

Accessible routes: running slope no steeper than 1:20, cross slope no steeper than 1:48, clear width at least 36 in, with a 60-in turning space where required.

Travel distance limits for business occupancy: 200 ft unsprinklered, 250 ft sprinklered, measured along the path of egress travel.

Dead-end corridors: 20 ft maximum unsprinklered, 50 ft maximum in sprinklered buildings.

Common path of egress travel in business occupancy: 75 ft unsprinklered, 100 ft sprinklered.

Ramp limits: maximum slope 1:12, maximum rise 30 in per run, 60-in landings at top, bottom, and each turn, handrails 34–38 in above the surface.

Stairs: riser 7 in maximum, tread 11 in minimum, clear width 44 in minimum; handrail height 34–38 in measured above the nosing.

Guards: at least 42 in high at openings and elevated surfaces, with balusters spaced so a 4-in sphere cannot pass.

Accessible parking: an 8-ft car space with an 8-ft access aisle, or an 11-ft van space with a 5-ft aisle, connected to an accessible route.

Adjacency and bubble diagrams test functional relationships before blocking; blocking diagrams then size and stack spaces into floors.

Specifications follow CSI MasterFormat divisions (03 Concrete, 05 Metals, 08 Openings, 09 Finishes) and SectionFormat's three parts.

Each section is Part 1 General (references, submittals, quality assurance), Part 2 Products (materials, components), Part 3 Execution (installation, field quality control).

BIM Level of Development: LOD 100 massing, 200 approximate geometry, 300 specific design, 350 coordination, 400 fabrication, 500 as-built.

In cold climates the vapor retarder goes on the warm interior side of the insulation; in hot-humid climates moisture control shifts toward the exterior.

Fire-resistance ratings of 1, 2, 3, or 4 hours come from assemblies tested to ASTM E119 and listed by UL; the rating belongs to the assembly, not a single product.

Drawing sets are ordered general, site, architectural, structural, MEP, then details and schedules, with keynotes used to cut repetitive sheet text.

AIA A101 is owner-contractor, A201 the general conditions, B101 owner-architect; the architect administers but is not a party to the construction contract.

Continuous insulation, thermal breaks, and a continuous air barrier limit thermal bridging at slab edges, shelf angles, and balcony connections.

AIA G702 (application and certificate for payment) with the G703 continuation sheet itemizes completed work and stored materials by line item.

Substantial completion makes the work usable for its intended purpose; it starts warranties, permits owner occupancy, and typically reduces retainage.

Final completion follows correction of all punch-list items and delivery of closeout documents; final payment and retainage release follow.

Conditional lien waivers take effect when payment clears; unconditional waivers are effective on signing - progress and final versions exist for both.

Closeout deliverables: record (as-built) drawings, O&M manuals, warranties, attic stock, spare parts, and test and balancing reports.

The building official issues the certificate of occupancy after final inspections; a temporary CO can permit partial occupancy before full completion.

Change-order pricing typically flows from subcontractor cost plus contractor overhead and profit plus the architect's additional-service fee, per the contract.

Commissioning verifies that systems meet the owner's project requirements and continues from design through the warranty phase.