PjM Amberbook Reference Guide

what are the responsibilities of owners

everything site-related such as geotechnical reporting, permitting, hazardous waste removal, surveying, traffic consultants and anything that is not in contract documents even if the architect has overlook something

are owners responsible for programming?

yes

what are the responsibilities of architects?

any services required to complete the construction documents

structural engineer

mep engineer

civil engineers

landscape architects

security consultants

tech consultants

lighting consultants

acoustic consultants

audio/visual consultants

cost estimators

code consultants

sustainability consultants

what are the additional responsibilities of architects?

code, zoning, staying-on-budget of the specs and producing correct drawings

Architects are legally responsible for ___?

the competition of the specs and producing correct drawings

Who reviews and approves the contractor’s invoice before the owner has to pay it?

that architect

Architects work to the “_____”, which is not perfection, but what is standard for other architects at the same time and place

Standard of Care

Who owns the drawings and specs?

the architect - charges for changes

What are contractors responsible for?

building the project exactly as the drawings and contract documents day it should be built

means and methods of construction

work site safety

shop drawings

operations manuals

submittals

What is Privity?

architect and contractor have no direct contract, making it difficult for one to sue the other

What is Indemnity?

a contractual obligation by which one person or entity agrees to reimburse another for loss or damage arising from specified liabilities

Betterment

an improvement to a property that enhances its value more than mere replacement, maintenance, or repairs

Agency relationship

a fiduciary relationship in which the “agent” is authorized to perform certain binding acts on behalf of the principal

Duty

an obligation imposed by law or by contract

what are examples of high-risk situations?

unknown clients, inexperienced owners, clients with a history of litigation

Addendum

change after the CDs have gone to bid but before the bids come in

Change Order

change after the contract is signed, notorious source of conflict and cost-overruns

Construction Change Directive

Owner and contractor at a disagreement about who pays for something that needs to get done to keep the project moving. Architect issues a construction change directive and contractor must do it

Submittals

are product data sheets, shop drawings, product samples that the contractor will submit to the architect for approval

Invited Bid

prequalified contractors are preselected and given the opportunity to bid

Phased Bid

used during fast-track construction to allow systems with long lead times to be bid first (and fabricated earlier)

Negotiated Bid

Contractor brought on at the beginning of the project to provide feedback, and after CDs the bid is negotiated between the owner and the contractor

Masterformat

specs organized by material or process (concrete, excavation)

Uniformat

specs organized by system (foundations, stairs)

Surety Bonds

bonds like insurance protecting the owner if the contractor does not follow through with a project. The third-party insurer will pay the owner to finish the project if a contractor walks away from the project

contractor’s license bond

insures the contractor should construction laws be broken