Sharkitecture.NET » Study Questions http://sharkitecture.net What every Architect should know Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:53:17 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Does a 20 day notice have to be filed by a prime contractor if they are working for the tenant and not the building owner on a TI project? http://sharkitecture.net/2009/05/does-a-20-day-notice-have-to-be-filed-by-a-prime-contractor-if-they-are-working-for-the-tenant-and-not-the-building-owner-on-a-ti-project/ http://sharkitecture.net/2009/05/does-a-20-day-notice-have-to-be-filed-by-a-prime-contractor-if-they-are-working-for-the-tenant-and-not-the-building-owner-on-a-ti-project/#comments Mon, 11 May 2009 20:16:15 +0000 admin http://sharkitecture.net/?p=221 http://sharkitecture.net/2009/05/does-a-20-day-notice-have-to-be-filed-by-a-prime-contractor-if-they-are-working-for-the-tenant-and-not-the-building-owner-on-a-ti-project/feed/ 0 What is the proper procedure/response if a client asks to skip Design Development? http://sharkitecture.net/2009/05/what-is-the-proper-procedureresponse-if-a-client-asks-to-skip-design-development/ http://sharkitecture.net/2009/05/what-is-the-proper-procedureresponse-if-a-client-asks-to-skip-design-development/#comments Mon, 11 May 2009 20:16:15 +0000 admin http://sharkitecture.net/?p=224 http://sharkitecture.net/2009/05/what-is-the-proper-procedureresponse-if-a-client-asks-to-skip-design-development/feed/ 0 a client has signed off on a SD set and a DD set, but during CD’s the client discovers a space adjacency that was approved in PD is not being accounted for in the design, is the architect obligated to make this change without further compensation or is it fair to say the client should have caught this prior to signing off on the SD and DD drawings? http://sharkitecture.net/2009/05/a-client-has-signed-off-on-a-sd-set-and-a-dd-set-but-during-cds-the-client-discovers-a-space-adjacency-that-was-approved-in-pd-is-not-being-accounted-for-in-the-design-is-the-architect-obligated-t/ http://sharkitecture.net/2009/05/a-client-has-signed-off-on-a-sd-set-and-a-dd-set-but-during-cds-the-client-discovers-a-space-adjacency-that-was-approved-in-pd-is-not-being-accounted-for-in-the-design-is-the-architect-obligated-t/#comments Mon, 11 May 2009 20:16:15 +0000 admin http://sharkitecture.net/?p=225 http://sharkitecture.net/2009/05/a-client-has-signed-off-on-a-sd-set-and-a-dd-set-but-during-cds-the-client-discovers-a-space-adjacency-that-was-approved-in-pd-is-not-being-accounted-for-in-the-design-is-the-architect-obligated-t/feed/ 0 A new ramp is required to get into the front entry that damages the historical fabric of the building. What steps do you take? http://sharkitecture.net/2009/01/a-new-ramp-is-required-to-get-into-the-front-entry-that-damages-the-historical-fabric-of-the-building-what-steps-do-you-take-2/ http://sharkitecture.net/2009/01/a-new-ramp-is-required-to-get-into-the-front-entry-that-damages-the-historical-fabric-of-the-building-what-steps-do-you-take-2/#comments Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:58:26 +0000 admin http://sharkitecture.net/?p=157 Read about San Francisco City Hall’s $1 million ramp.

]]> http://sharkitecture.net/2009/01/a-new-ramp-is-required-to-get-into-the-front-entry-that-damages-the-historical-fabric-of-the-building-what-steps-do-you-take-2/feed/ 0 What is the proper procedure for rejecting part of a contractor’s application for payment if the architect observes that a portion of the work is not yet complete? http://sharkitecture.net/2009/01/what-is-the-proper-procedure-for-rejecting-part-of-a-contractors-application-for-payment-if-the-architect-observes-that-a-portion-of-the-work-is-not-yet-complete/ http://sharkitecture.net/2009/01/what-is-the-proper-procedure-for-rejecting-part-of-a-contractors-application-for-payment-if-the-architect-observes-that-a-portion-of-the-work-is-not-yet-complete/#comments Sun, 25 Jan 2009 05:28:43 +0000 admin http://sharkitecture.net/?p=223 Within 7 days, notify the Owner and Contractor in writing the reasons for withholding the certification in whole or in part.

]]> http://sharkitecture.net/2009/01/what-is-the-proper-procedure-for-rejecting-part-of-a-contractors-application-for-payment-if-the-architect-observes-that-a-portion-of-the-work-is-not-yet-complete/feed/ 0 If there is a conflict between spec and drawings which one is assumed to over-ride the other? http://sharkitecture.net/2009/01/if-there-is-a-conflict-between-spec-and-drawings-which-one-is-assumed-to-over-ride-the-other/ http://sharkitecture.net/2009/01/if-there-is-a-conflict-between-spec-and-drawings-which-one-is-assumed-to-over-ride-the-other/#comments Sun, 25 Jan 2009 05:12:57 +0000 admin http://sharkitecture.net/?p=222 The Contract Documents are intended to be fully cooperative and to the be complimentary. If the Contractor observes that any documents are in conflict, the Contractor shall promptly notify the Owner in writing.

In case of conflicts between the Contract Documents, the order of precedence shall be as follows:

    1) Change Orders or Work Change Directives
    2) Addenda
    3) Special Provisions (or Special Conditions)
    4) Technical Specifications
    5) Plans (Contract Drawings)
]]> http://sharkitecture.net/2009/01/if-there-is-a-conflict-between-spec-and-drawings-which-one-is-assumed-to-over-ride-the-other/feed/ 0 What should an architect do if a contractor refuses to correct non-compliant work? http://sharkitecture.net/2009/01/what-should-an-architect-do-if-a-contractor-refuses-to-correct-non-compliant-work-2/ http://sharkitecture.net/2009/01/what-should-an-architect-do-if-a-contractor-refuses-to-correct-non-compliant-work-2/#comments Sun, 25 Jan 2009 05:05:24 +0000 admin http://sharkitecture.net/?p=220 As the architect in this situation I would report my concern to the contractor, and if they are still unresponsive I would issue written notice of the situation to the owner. Under AIA A201 Owner-Contractor Agreement the owner is entitled to either perform the required work themselves and remove the costs from the contract sum, or terminate the contract with the contractor.

]]> http://sharkitecture.net/2009/01/what-should-an-architect-do-if-a-contractor-refuses-to-correct-non-compliant-work-2/feed/ 0 You notice that concrete on a job site seems to be cracking excessively. Should you order testing if none was noted in the contract documents? http://sharkitecture.net/2009/01/you-notice-that-concrete-on-a-job-site-seems-to-be-cracking-excessively-should-you-order-testing-if-none-was-noted-in-the-contract-documents/ http://sharkitecture.net/2009/01/you-notice-that-concrete-on-a-job-site-seems-to-be-cracking-excessively-should-you-order-testing-if-none-was-noted-in-the-contract-documents/#comments Sun, 25 Jan 2009 05:04:28 +0000 admin http://sharkitecture.net/?p=219 Who pays for this testing?

According to AIA B201 the architect my order testing or inspections of work if they believe it to be in the best interest of the owner. If I had concerns of this nature I would first inform the owner, then consult with the structural engineer (if the problem were structural) before ordering testing as appropriate. This testing would be paid by the owner, however if the test showed a failure the cost of the test and the replacement of the work would be born by the contractor.

]]> http://sharkitecture.net/2009/01/you-notice-that-concrete-on-a-job-site-seems-to-be-cracking-excessively-should-you-order-testing-if-none-was-noted-in-the-contract-documents/feed/ 0 What is the significance of substantial completion and what is the architect’s role in this project milestone? http://sharkitecture.net/2009/01/what-is-the-significance-of-substantial-completion-and-what-is-the-architect%e2%80%99s-role-in-this-project-milestone/ http://sharkitecture.net/2009/01/what-is-the-significance-of-substantial-completion-and-what-is-the-architect%e2%80%99s-role-in-this-project-milestone/#comments Sun, 25 Jan 2009 05:03:05 +0000 admin http://sharkitecture.net/?p=218 a. The significance of substantial completion is:
– it is the end of the contract time (owner-contractor agreement)
– it begins the warranty/correction period
– it begins the period for statute of limitations on professional liability
– it signifies the work is complete enough for the owner to occupy the space for its intended use

b. When the contractor thinks that the project is substantially complete for the owner to occupy the building for its intended use, the architect/owner/contractor provide a site visit to verify the project’s accordance with the contract documents. A punch-list is created to note all items that must be completed or repaired, and if the architect agrees that the project is fit for occupancy they will issue a certificate of substantial completion including the punch list, the date that the punch list must be completed by, the responsibilities of both parties (contractor-owner) with respect to payment of utilities and security, along with all maintenance and warranty information.

]]> http://sharkitecture.net/2009/01/what-is-the-significance-of-substantial-completion-and-what-is-the-architect%e2%80%99s-role-in-this-project-milestone/feed/ 0 How would you limit your client’s potential exposure to liens or other encumbrances on their property? http://sharkitecture.net/2009/01/how-would-you-limit-your-client%e2%80%99s-potential-exposure-to-liens-or-other-encumbrances-on-their-property-2/ http://sharkitecture.net/2009/01/how-would-you-limit-your-client%e2%80%99s-potential-exposure-to-liens-or-other-encumbrances-on-their-property-2/#comments Sun, 25 Jan 2009 05:02:13 +0000 admin http://sharkitecture.net/?p=217 By using the AIA G700-series documents, or similar documents, to properly record the contractor’s schedule of values, provide site observation to verify validity of contractor’s applications for payment, and to ensure that consent of the bond surety is secured prior to the release of any retainage or final payment to the contractor, as well as secure affidavits of lien releases from the contractor or a bond to properly protect the owner’s property in the case of any unsecured affidavits of lien releases.

Advise the owner to require labor and material payment bond to cover any lack of payment by the GC. Require the contractor indemnify the owner against any third-party claims. Affidavits of lien release can also be required with each application for payment. If the owner has reason to suspect a sub is not being paid, they can request proof of payment from the GC.

]]> http://sharkitecture.net/2009/01/how-would-you-limit-your-client%e2%80%99s-potential-exposure-to-liens-or-other-encumbrances-on-their-property-2/feed/ 0