RedVector RV-5330

A Better Construction Contract

A Better Construction Contract

2 hrs. Online Course

Level: Intermediate

Item#: RV-5330

SME: Randall Reaves

This 2-hour online interactive course examines two types of Owner-Contractor agreements: (1) stipulated sum, and (2) cost plus a fee with a guaranteed maximum price (often called "GMP") The use of general conditions with both types of contracts is assumed in this course and particular attention is paid to the general conditions as they constitute the bulk of the contract whether it is a stipulated sum or GMP type. This course assumes some familiarity with the AIA documents, the contractually defined roles of the Owner, Contractor, and Architect, and the interrelationship of the Contract Documents, such as the Agreement, General Conditions, and Drawings and Specifications. We will follow the organization of the AIA documents as a starting point. Consequently, the term "architect" will typically be employed, but the principles discussed in this course can apply to other design professionals as well. References to relevant sections of the AIA documents are included in parentheses throughout.

As we review the two types of Owner-Contractor agreements, this course identifies major contract issues, performance problem areas, and definitions of important terms. Issues which are likely to cause conflict or generate disputes are identified. Subjects which often appear obscure to design professionals, such as insurance, are discussed.

A test is included in at the end of this course.
Vector Solutions has a long history of providing industry-specific content for its customers. While this course and its content remain accurate and functional within our systems, the look and feel may not match our more modern offerings.
Course Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, you will:

  • Be able to intelligently discuss appropriate contractual provisions in a well-informed manner with Owners and Contractors
  • Be aware of the legal obligations of all parties involved in the Project
  • Be able to meet their legal and professional obligations under the construction contract

Written changes and additions made to standard contract forms by the uninformed, although well-intentioned, can be unclear, confusing, incomplete, or contradictory. Even when standard form contracts are used, a lack of familiarity with the intricacies and legal ramifications of the document can hamper the design professional in the performance of its duties. The purpose of this course is to help design professionals with these types of contract challenges.

A well written, detailed contract can reduce disputes on a construction project by clearly delineating the rights, obligations, and responsibilities of the parties. Accordingly, this course will also suggest changes and additions applicable to most Owner-Contractor contracts. These changes and additions are intended to level the playing field between the Owner and the Contractor by making the contract more Owner-favorable, and, thereby, strengthening the design professional's position as the Owner's representative in dealing with the Contractor.

SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT: Randall Reaves
Randall Reaves Photo
Randall Reaves is a registered architect (since 1981) and a licensed attorney (since 1986). As an architect, Mr. Reaves was a project manager for the Houston firm of Pierce Goodwin Alexander. As an attorney, Mr. Reaves has specialized in construction and design law. He has presented at bar seminars and various professional association conferences. Mr. Reaves directed construction law services for The University of Texas System, a $500 million per year program. He co-authored sweeping changes to the Texas statutes authorizing design-build, construction management, and job-order contracting for public schools and institutions of higher education. He is also a trained mediator.
State Licenses
AK - Engineer (Health, Safety & Welfare - ,)
AK - Land Surveyor (General)
AL - Engineer (General - ,)
AL - Land Surveyor (General)
AR - Engineer (General - ,)
AR - Land Surveyor (General)
DC - Engineer (General - CE21800018)
DE - Engineer (Business Practice (maximum of 9 hours) - ,)
FL - Building Code Administrator (General - 0009169)
Accreditation: FL DBPR Approved Provider 0001771
FL - Contractor, Alarm System I & II (Business Practice - 0007678)
Accreditation: FL DBPR Approved Provider 0001771
FL - Contractor, Certified (Business Practice - 0009169)
Accreditation: FL DBPR Approved Provider 0001771
FL - Contractor, Electrical (Business Practice - 0007678)
Accreditation: FL DBPR Approved Provider 0001771
FL - Contractor, Electrical Specialty (Business Practice - 0007678)
Accreditation: FL DBPR Approved Provider 0001771
FL - Contractor, Palm Beach County (Business Practice - 0009169)
Accreditation: FL DBPR Approved Provider 0001771
FL - Contractor, Pinellas County (Business Practice - 0009169)
Accreditation: FL DBPR Approved Provider 0001771
FL - Contractor, Registered (Business Practice - 0009169)
Accreditation: FL DBPR Approved Provider 0001771
FL - Examiner (General - 0009169)
Accreditation: FL DBPR Approved Provider 0001771
FL - Inspector (General - 0009169)
Accreditation: FL DBPR Approved Provider 0001771
GA - Architect (General - RV418-2025)
Accreditation: AIA Registered Provider J315
GA - Contractor, Columbia County (General)
GA - Contractor, Residential and General (General)
GA - Engineer (General - ,)
GA - Land Surveyor (General)
IA - Engineer (General - ,)
IA - Land Surveyor (General)
ID - Engineer (General - ,)
ID - Land Surveyor (General)
IL - Architect (General - RV418-2025)
Accreditation: AIA Registered Provider J315
IL - Engineer, Professional (General - ,)
IL - Engineer, Structural (General - ,)
IN - Architect (General - RV418-2025)
Accreditation: AIA Registered Provider J315
IN - Engineer (General - Board Approved - CE21800018)
KS - Engineer (Health, Safety & Welfare - ,)
KS - Geologist (General)
KS - Land Surveyor (General)
KY - Engineer (General - ,)
LA - Contractor, Residential (General)
LA - Engineer (General - ,)
LA - Land Surveyor (General)
MD - Engineer (General - ,)
ME - Engineer (General - ,)
ME - Land Surveyor (General)
MI - Contractor, Residential Builder and M & A (General)
MI - Engineer (General - ,)
MN - Engineer (General - ,)
MN - Geoscientist (General)
MN - Land Surveyor (General)
MO - Architect (General - RV418-2025)
Accreditation: AIA Registered Provider J315
MO - Engineer (General - ,)
MS - Engineer (General - ,)
MS - Land Surveyor (General)
MT - Engineer (General - ,)
MT - Land Surveyor (General)
NC - Engineer (General - ,)
NC - Land Surveyor (General)
ND - Engineer (Health, Safety & Welfare - ,)
ND - Land Surveyor (General)
NH - Engineer (General - ,)
NH - Geologist (General)
NH - Home Inspector (General)
NJ - Architect (General - RV418-2025)
Accreditation: AIA Registered Provider J315
NJ - Engineer (General - 24GP000006300)
NM - Engineer (General - ,)
NM - Land Surveyor (General)
NV - Engineer (General - ,)
NV - Land Surveyor (General)
OH - Engineer (General - ,)
OH - Land Surveyor (General)
OK - Engineer (General - ,)
OK - Land Surveyor (General)
OR - Contractor, Commercial (General)
OR - Engineer (General - ,)
OR - Geologist (General)
PA - Code Official,Certified (UCC) (General)
PR - Engineer (General - ,)
SC - Engineer (General - ,)
SC - Land Surveyor (General)
SD - Architect (General - RV418-2025)
Accreditation: AIA Registered Provider J315
SD - Engineer (General - ,)
SD - Land Surveyor (General)
TN - Architect (General - RV418-2025)
Accreditation: AIA Registered Provider J315
TN - Engineer (Health, Safety & Welfare - ,)
TX - Engineer (General - ,)
TX - Geoscientist (General)
UT - Engineer (General - ,)
UT - Land Surveyor (General)
VA - Architect (General - RV418-2025)
Accreditation: AIA Registered Provider J315
VA - Engineer (General - ,)
VA - Land Surveyor (General)
VA - Official, Permit Technician, Inspector, and Plans Examiner (General - 0009169)
VT - Engineer (General - ,)
WA - Architect (General - RV418-2025)
Accreditation: AIA Registered Provider J315
WA - Land Surveyor (General)
WI - Architect (General - RV418-2025)
Accreditation: AIA Registered Provider J315
WI - Engineer (General - ,)
WI - Land Surveyor (General)
WV - Engineer (General - ,)
WY - Engineer (General - ,)
WY - Land Surveyor (General)
Professional Organizations
American Academy of Environmental Engineers - AAEES - Member (General - ,)
American Institute of Architects - AIA - Architects (General - RV418-2025)
Accreditation: AIA Registered Provider J315
American Institute of Professional Geologists - AIPG - Member (General)
American Society of Professional Estimators - ASPE - Certified Professional Estimator (CPE)/Associate Estimator Professional (AEP) (General)
Association of State Floodplain Managers - ASFPM - Certified Floodplain Manager (Core)
Canada - Alberta Architect (General - RV418-2025)
Accreditation: AIA Registered Provider J315
Canada - Alberta Engineer (General - ,)
Canada - British Columbia Architect (AIBC) (General - RV418-2025)
Accreditation: AIA Registered Provider J315
Canada - British Columbia Engineer (General - ,)
Canada - Manitoba Architect (General - RV418-2025)
Accreditation: AIA Registered Provider J315
Canada - Manitoba Engineer (General - ,)
Canada - New Brunswick Architect (General - RV418-2025)
Accreditation: AIA Registered Provider J315
Canada - New Brunswick Engineer (General - ,)
Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador Engineer (General - ,)
Canada - Northwest Territories and Nunavut Engineer (General - ,)
Canada - Northwest Territory Architect / Restricted Practitioner (General - RV418-2025)
Accreditation: AIA Registered Provider J315
Canada - Nova Scotia Architect (General - RV418-2025)
Accreditation: AIA Registered Provider J315
Canada - Nova Scotia Engineer (General - ,)
Canada - Ontario Architect (General - RV418-2025)
Accreditation: AIA Registered Provider J315
Canada - Ontario Engineer (General - ,)
Canada - Prince Edward Island Architect (General - RV418-2025)
Accreditation: AIA Registered Provider J315
Canada - Prince Edward Island Engineer (General - ,)
Canada - Quebec Architect (General - RV418-2025)
Accreditation: AIA Registered Provider J315
Canada - Quebec Engineer (General - ,)
Canada - Saskatchewan Architect (General - RV418-2025)
Accreditation: AIA Registered Provider J315
Canada - Saskatchewan Engineer (General - ,)
Canada - Yukon Engineer (General - ,)
Canadian Registered Safety Professionals - CRSP (General)
Design-Build Institute of America - DBIA - Design-Build Professional (General)
International Society of Automation - ISA - Certifications (General)
National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies - NICET (General - ,)
Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists - OACETT - Certified Member (Management/Leadership Training)
Project Management Institute (PMI) - Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) (Business Acumen - GOCRV-5330)
Accreditation: R.E.P. Provider 1510
Project Management Institute (PMI) - PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) (Business Acumen - GOCRV-5330)
Accreditation: R.E.P. Provider 1510
Project Management Institute (PMI) - PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA) (Business Acumen - GOCRV-5330)
Accreditation: R.E.P. Provider 1510
Project Management Institute (PMI) - PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP) (Business Acumen - GOCRV-5330)
Accreditation: R.E.P. Provider 1510
Project Management Institute (PMI) - PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP) (Business Acumen - GOCRV-5330)
Accreditation: R.E.P. Provider 1510
Project Management Institute (PMI) - Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP) (Business Acumen - GOCRV-5330)
Accreditation: R.E.P. Provider 1510
Project Management Institute (PMI) - Program Management Professional (PgMP) (Business Acumen - GOCRV-5330)
Accreditation: R.E.P. Provider 1510
Project Management Institute (PMI) - Project Management Professional (PMP) (Business Acumen - GOCRV-5330)
Accreditation: R.E.P. Provider 1510