LARE Project and Construction Management Flashcards

A contractor's bid is 20% below the engineer's estimate, and all other bids cluster within 5% of each other. What is the most prudent action for the owner's team?

Answer: Investigate the low bid for potential errors or omissions before awarding

An unusually low bid may indicate a mathematical error, omitted scope, or a contractor planning to recover costs through change orders; investigation before award protects the owner.

During the warranty period, a large tree installed by the contractor dies due to drought conditions. The contractor argues the death is due to owner negligence in watering. The owner says the contractor failed to install a root ball of specified size. Who has initial responsibility for proving the cause?

Answer: The party making the claim (contractor or owner, depending on who seeks relief)

In contract disputes, the party seeking relief generally bears the burden of proving their claim; both parties would need documentation of specified root ball size and actual irrigation records.

A landscape specification requires that sod be watered within 30 minutes of installation. The contractor installs sod in the morning and waters it 2 hours later due to an equipment malfunction. The sod survives. What should the landscape architect document?

Answer: A non-conformance with the specification, noting the deviation and the equipment malfunction

Specification deviations must be documented regardless of immediate outcome; the record protects all parties if warranty issues arise later and establishes a pattern if repeated.

What is the key difference between 'substantial completion' and 'final completion' in construction contracts?

Answer: Substantial completion means the owner can use the project for its intended purpose; final completion means all work including punch list is done

Substantial completion allows the owner to occupy and use the project; final completion occurs after all punch list corrections are made, releasing the final retainage payment.

A landscape architect specifies a particular granite paver by manufacturer and product name with 'or approved equal' language. A contractor submits a substitute paver that matches dimensions but has lower PSI compressive strength. Should the landscape architect approve it?

Answer: No, because 'or equal' requires matching all specified performance criteria, not just dimensions

'Or approved equal' requires the substitute to meet all specified performance criteria including compressive strength; matching only dimensions does not satisfy the 'equal' requirement.

Which document formally transfers risk from the owner to the contractor for site conditions that differ materially from those indicated in the contract documents?

Answer: Differing site conditions clause in the general conditions

The differing site conditions clause (e.g., AIA A201 Section 3.7.4) defines the process and risk transfer mechanism when contractors encounter conditions materially different from those represented in the contract documents.

A landscape architect wants to include a requirement that the contractor provide a 2-year plant establishment warranty. In which section of the project manual should this requirement appear?

Answer: Division 32 — Exterior Improvements (Planting specification)

Warranty requirements specific to planted material should be included in Division 32 planting specifications where they are linked to the specific material performance requirements and installation standards.