Construction Administration Is a Professional Service, Not Supervision
A common misunderstanding - in law, in public perception, and sometimes among young architects - is that the architect "supervises" construction. AIA documents are deliberately careful to use "observation" rather than "supervision." Supervision implies control over means, methods, and personnel; observation means visiting the site at appropriate intervals to become generally familiar with progress and to determine, in general, if the work is proceeding in accordance with the contract documents. This distinction is not just semantic - it limits the architect's liability for contractor safety and for every deviation the architect did not personally witness. Understanding what the architect is and is not responsible for during construction administration is a core ARE CE topic.
Basic CA Services Under AIA B101
AIA B101 Section 3.6 defines construction administration as a Basic Service. Key CA obligations include:
- Site visits: Visit the site at intervals appropriate to the stage of construction to become generally familiar with progress and report to the owner on conformance with the contract documents. The frequency must be defined in the owner-architect agreement and is typically a negotiated number of visits per month or per phase.
- Submittal review: Review and approve (or take other appropriate action on) contractor submittals (shop drawings, product data, samples) for conformance with design intent.
- RFI response: Respond to Requests for Information from the contractor in a timely manner, clarifying the contract documents.
- Pay application review: Review and certify the contractor's applications for payment based on observations and the schedule of values.
- Change order administration: Prepare and administer change orders and construction change directives as authorized by the owner.
- Substantial completion: Determine and certify substantial completion; prepare the punch list; issue the Certificate of Substantial Completion.
- Final completion: Receive and forward final submittals; review closeout documents; certify final payment.
The Architect as Initial Decision Maker (IDM)
Under AIA A201, the architect serves as the initial decision maker for disputes between the owner and contractor. When a dispute arises, either party may request an initial decision from the architect. The architect must review the claim and render a decision within 30 days (or request more time). The IDM role requires the architect to make good-faith decisions - the architect owes a duty to both owner and contractor to be fair. The architect's initial decision is a prerequisite to mediation under AIA A201's dispute resolution process.
What the Architect Does NOT Do in CA
- Control or supervise contractor means and methods.
- Maintain continuous on-site presence (unless specifically contracted for as additional services).
- Guarantee the contractor's work quality.
- Be responsible for safety precautions at the site - this remains the contractor's responsibility.
Key Exam Points
- Observation, not supervision: architect observes and reports; does not control means and methods.
- B101 CA services: site visits, submittal review, RFI response, pay application certification, change orders, substantial completion, final completion.
- Initial decision maker (IDM): architect decides owner-contractor disputes; 30-day response period.
- Safety: contractor's responsibility, not architect's, during construction.
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