CDT Construction Administration 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What document does the architect issue to certify that the contractor is entitled to payment?
- Certificate for Payment (Correct answer)
- Change Order
- Notice to Proceed
- Substantial Completion Certificate
Correct answer: Certificate for Payment
The architect issues a Certificate for Payment (AIA G702) certifying the amount the contractor is owed based on work completed and materials stored.
Question 2: What is retainage in a construction contract?
- The contractor's overhead and profit percentage
- A percentage of each payment withheld by the owner until project completion to ensure performance (Correct answer)
- A fee paid to the construction manager for oversight
- The cost of materials stored off-site
Correct answer: A percentage of each payment withheld by the owner until project completion to ensure performance
Retainage is a percentage (typically 5–10%) of each progress payment withheld by the owner as financial security ensuring the contractor completes the work.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of a pre-construction conference?
- To finalize the contract price with the contractor
- To establish communication protocols, review submittals requirements, and align all parties before construction begins (Correct answer)
- To conduct a site walk-through to identify punch list items
- To present the project to the local building department
Correct answer: To establish communication protocols, review submittals requirements, and align all parties before construction begins
The pre-construction conference aligns the owner, architect, and contractor on administrative procedures, communication channels, submittal schedules, and key project requirements before work begins.
Question 4: Which document is used by the contractor to formally request clarification on the construction documents?
- Architect's Supplemental Instruction
- Request for Information (RFI) (Correct answer)
- Construction Change Directive
- Submittal Review Comment
Correct answer: Request for Information (RFI)
A Request for Information (RFI) is issued by the contractor to the architect when the construction documents are unclear, conflicting, or require interpretation.
Question 5: What is the architect's role when reviewing the contractor's Application for Payment?
- Auditing the contractor's accounting books and payroll
- Assessing whether work completed to date justifies the amount requested and issuing a Certificate for Payment (Correct answer)
- Approving all subcontractor invoices directly
- Determining the contractor's overhead allocation
Correct answer: Assessing whether work completed to date justifies the amount requested and issuing a Certificate for Payment
The architect reviews the Application for Payment to determine if the certified amount reasonably reflects the work completed and materials stored, then issues the Certificate for Payment.
Question 6: Under AIA A201, who has the authority to reject work that does not conform to the contract documents?
- The contractor's project manager
- The owner's lender
- The architect (Correct answer)
- The local building inspector only
Correct answer: The architect
AIA A201 grants the architect authority to reject work that does not conform to the contract documents, requiring the contractor to correct or remove the nonconforming work.
CDT Construction Administration 2
What document does the architect issue to certify that the contractor is entitled to payment?