Compiled by the 2022 CCA Leadership Group
Continuing in the tradition of past compilations of tips and resources, we've pulled together a list of our top resources for those learning about and practicing construction contract administration. We'd love to expand on this list in the future - if you've got other resources that have proven invaluable, please email us at cca@aia.org or post about them on our CCA discussion board!
Project-specific essential documents
- Owner-AE Contract (AIA B101/ B201)
- Construction Contract (AIA A101/ A201 and their variations)
- Contract Drawings and Project Manual
- Schedule
- GMP/Schedule of Values/Estimate
- BIM Execution Plan
- Subscription to Madcad! (Relevant Codes)
Body of knowledge documents
AIA Standard of Care: Confronting the Errors-and-Omissions Taboo Up Front by Dale L. Munhall AIA
Link: https://www.aia.org/best-practices/6336320-standard-of-care-confronting-the-errors-an
As part of Construction Contract Administration, we are often asked to participate in discussions about construction costs attributed to Errors and Omissions (E&O’s). This document will help you to gain a better understanding of the Architect’s responsibility associated with E & O’s and what “Standard of Care” means, as defined in AIA Contracts.
Why we recommend this: CCA recommends this article not only to those performing CCA, but to all architects and designers. With a better understanding of E&O’s and the Standard of Care, we are better equipped to manage the Owner’s expectations on future projects.
Architect Error and Omission Change Orders – Expert Article by Robson Forensic
Link: www.robsonforensic.com/articles/architect-error-omission-expert-witness
In this article, experts from the architectural practice at Robson Forensic provide an overview of error and omissions change orders. The discussion includes an explanation of change orders, the difference between errors and omissions, as well as what is reasonable to expect from architects and project owners.
Why we recommend this: CCA recommends this Article because it covers succinctly, the difference between Errors and Omissions, what defines the professional ordinary standard of care and the intent of Contract Documents. It also provides reference and links to AIA Standard of Care: Confronting the Errors-and-Omissions Taboo Up Front by Dale L. Munhall AIA, one of our other Top Ten References.
Contractor’s Guide to Change Orders, The Art of Finding, Pricing, and Getting Paid for Contract Changes and the Damages They Cause by Andrew M. Civitello, Jr.
Excerpt from the book’s preface: Contractor’s Guide to Change Orders is a comprehensive workbook designed to be the instrumental reference tool for those contractors who wish to possess a complete working knowledge at:
- Where change orders are born
- How they are discovered
- Specifically where to find hidden changes
- Whose responsibility they are.
- How to consolidate all relevant cost, time, and liability components.
- How to evaluate and quantify total schedule impact (time, interference).
- How to maximize prices for extra work.
- How to prepare compete, forceful change order proposals.
- How to protect all your rights to get paid for all consequential effect, even after you’ve received “final” payment.
- Using sound, innovative, tested, and proven negotiating strategies, tactics, and techniques.
- What powerful record to keep for your absolute maximum protection.
- How to prepare effectively and present claims for damages.
- How to interpret construction contracts.
- Where to find all those hidden items that will maximize your total compensation.
- How to find attorney’s and key consultants to maximize advantages in arbitration and litigation.
Why we recommend this: CCA recommends this book as an effective reference tool to better understand the differences between construction contracts and varied approaches to change order justification. One would be hard pressed to find a better way to understand the basis of change order proposals than to use the same guidebook Contractor’s use.
Fundamentals of Building Construction Materials and Methods by Edward Allen
Description (from Amazon): Now in its Seventh Edition, Fundamentals of Building Construction contains substantial revisions and updates. New illustrations and photographs reflect the latest practices and developments in the industry. Revised chapters address exterior wall systems and high-performance buildings, an updated and comprehensive discussion of building enclosure science, evolving tools for assessing environmental and health impacts of building materials, and more. New and exciting developments in mass timber construction are also included.
This Seventh Edition includes:
- 125 new or updated illustrations and photographs, as well as 40 new photorealistic renderings
- The latest in construction project delivery methods, construction scheduling, and trends in information technology affecting building design and construction
- Updated discussion of the latest LEED and Living Building Challenge sustainability standards along with expanded coverage of new methods for assessing the environmental impacts of materials and buildings
- Expanded coverage of mass timber materials, fire resistance of mass timber, and the design and construction of tall wood buildings
- Revised end-of-chapter sections, including references, websites, key terminology, review questions, and exercises
- Fully-updated collection of best-in-class ancillary materials: PowerPoint lecture slides, Instructor’s Manual, Test Bank, Interactive Exercises, and more
Why we recommend this: For the nuts and bolts on building construction practices and materials, Fundamentals of Building Construction: Materials and Methods, 7th Edition lays the foundation that every architect and construction professional needs to build a successful career.
A Visual Dictionary of Architecture & Building Construction Illustrated, by Francis D.K. Ching
Why we recommend this: I was told once that as an architect, it’s not that you need to know everything, it’s just that you have to know where to find the answer. While I was preparing to take the ARE’s, someone recommended D.K. Ching’s visual dictionary and it has proven to be a valuable reference throughout my career.
The foundation of a successful project is effective communication. It is therefore imperative that you have a basic understanding of critical building materials and components. Is it flat, waffle or post-tension construction? What’s a raceway? And what’s the difference between a solid masonry wall, a cavity wall and a faced wall? This book not only has the written description, but a collection of drawings to visual represent each of the included materials and components.
CCA recommends this book because it is a succinct and easy to understand reference that is primarily focused on architecture and it’s building components.
Architectural Graphic Standards By Ramsey/Sleeper
Architectural Graphic Standards has been the “Architect’s Bible” since 1932. Whichever edition you have on your bookshelf, it provides a comprehensive visual guide to materials, systems, and assemblies used every day by architects. The latest 12th Edition covers building resilience and building envelope, the fundamentals of design and building construction, and has sustainable design integrated throughout.
Why we recommend this: CCA recommends this book as an general reference tool that addresses a wide range of topics relevant to architectural practice. From page layout and space planning to waterproofing and door roof details, Graphic Standards is a valuable, primary resource for architects. There simply in not another publication that is more a comprehensive of architectural practice.
CCA Checklist by AIA (To be published soon!)
Why we recommend this: The CCA KC Leadership worked with AIA National to compile the CCA Checklist by AIA. Construction Contract Administration (CCA) encompasses activities necessary to support the Client in administering the requirements of the construction contract between the Client and the Contractor. The Architect’s fundamental role during the Construction Phase is to represent the interests of the Client in a fair and balanced manner and endeavor to assure that the project is completed in accordance with the Contract Documents. This Checklist indicates the potential responsibilities of the Architect in this process. Since each project will differ, use this checklist in conjunction with the specific contractual requirements for the Project, adding or deleting additional requirements as necessary.
A Guide to Successful Construction, by Arthur F. O’Leary, published by BNi
Why we recommend this: This book will help you avoid costly mistakes by nipping construction administration problems in the bud. Written by an experienced architect and project manager, with extensive experience in Forensic Architecture, this manual guides you through the administration process and focuses on items which are likely to be troublesome down the road.
The book covers all the subjects that a practicing professional will face during a construction project, starting from reviewing the Contract Documents, through selection of the contractor and consultants, to pitfalls associated with reviewing submittals, RFI’s, Change Orders and Applications for Payment, to project closeout procedures and resolution of disputes.
Construction Contract Administration Practice Guide, by The Construction Specification Institute
Why we recommend this: This Guide covers, in detail, the body of knowledge required to pass CSI’s Certified Construction Contract Administration (CCCA) exam, and as such is required reading for anybody wanting to practice in the field. The book builds on the foundation provided by the “Project Delivery Practice Guide”, which is required reading in order to successfully pass the Certified Document Technologist (CDT) exam, a prerequisite to applying to the CCCA.
Managing Project Risk - Best Practices for Architects and Related Professionals by Atkins & Simpson, published by Wiley
Why we recommend this: Jim Atkins and Grant Simpson, both FAIA, are probably the most highly admired experts in project risk in the business. And since Construction Administration is, above all, an extremely challenging exercise on Risk Management, this book should be in every Architect’s recommended reading list.
The book stems from a series of very popular articles published in AIArchitect, and as such, they focus on a wide variety of topics, nonetheless producing a very comprehensive survey of all risk issues associated with Project Management in general, and Construction Administration in particular. Jim and Grant deliver knowledge laced with humor, in short, easy to read pieces, covering everything from the essentials of risk management, to client management, to balance of power at the job site, to submittals, RFI’s, Change Orders, Warranties, Pay Apps, Punch Lists, etc.
The mix of knowledge, experience and zest displayed in these “articles which became a book by popular demand” are unparalleled, memorable and widely admired. As Jim and Grant say: “Be careful out there”.
Shootout at the RFI Corral article from 2009
Depending on the study you read, requests for Information (RFI’s) can take anywhere from 8 to 17 man hours to review and respond. It is therefore in everyone’s best interest to prevent frivolous RFI’s. As RFI’s are most frequently used to ask questions about design intent or point out perceived Errors and Omissions, it is also in our best interest to be knowledgeable about what constitutes an appropriate RFI. Or better yet, understand what constitutes an inappropriate and/or incomplete RFI submission.
Why we recommend this: CCA recommends this Article because RFI’s are one of the many tools of communication used during the CCA process. It is therefore imperative to understand the rules and limitations that govern it.