LARE LARE Project and Construction Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During construction administration, a contractor submits a Request for Information (RFI) about an apparent conflict between the civil drawings and the landscape drawings. What is the landscape architect's primary responsibility?
- Issue a change order immediately to resolve the conflict
- Review the conflict and issue a written response clarifying design intent (Correct answer)
- Direct the contractor to use the civil drawings as the controlling document
- Notify the owner and halt construction until the conflict is resolved
Correct answer: Review the conflict and issue a written response clarifying design intent
The landscape architect must review the RFI and issue a timely written response that resolves the conflict and clarifies design intent without necessarily requiring a change order.
Question 2: A landscape contractor discovers unmarked underground irrigation lines not shown on the contract documents. Under AIA general conditions, who bears the cost of this unforeseen condition?
- The contractor, because site investigation is their responsibility
- The owner, because differing site conditions are typically the owner's risk (Correct answer)
- The landscape architect, because documents should show all utilities
- The subcontractor performing the excavation work
Correct answer: The owner, because differing site conditions are typically the owner's risk
Under AIA A201 general conditions, differing site conditions encountered during construction that differ materially from what the contract documents indicate are compensable to the contractor at the owner's expense.
Question 3: On a critical path method (CPM) schedule, which activity type has zero total float?
- Predecessor activities
- Successor activities
- Critical path activities (Correct answer)
- Near-critical path activities
Correct answer: Critical path activities
Activities on the critical path have zero total float, meaning any delay to them will directly delay the project completion date.
Question 4: A landscape architect is reviewing a contractor's pay application. The contractor claims 75% completion on a planting installation task but site observation reveals only 50% is planted. What should the landscape architect do?
- Approve 75% because the contractor's judgment supersedes site observation
- Certify only the 50% actually installed and document the discrepancy (Correct answer)
- Reject the entire pay application until the task is 100% complete
- Approve 75% to maintain a good relationship with the contractor
Correct answer: Certify only the 50% actually installed and document the discrepancy
The landscape architect must certify payment only for work actually in place; certifying false amounts exposes the owner to financial harm and the LA to liability.
Question 5: Which document type establishes the legal relationship between the owner and the general contractor?
- Project manual
- Geotechnical report
- Agreement (Owner-Contractor contract) (Correct answer)
- Construction drawings
Correct answer: Agreement (Owner-Contractor contract)
The Agreement, such as AIA A101, is the binding legal contract between owner and contractor; drawings and specifications are incorporated by reference.
Question 6: A contractor requests a 14-day time extension after a week-long rain delay. The contract requires rain days to exceed the historical average before an extension is granted. The historical average for that month is 4 rain days, and 5 rain days occurred. What is the appropriate response?
- Deny the extension because only 1 extra rain day occurred beyond average (Correct answer)
- Grant the full 14-day extension as requested
- Grant a 7-day extension as a compromise
- Direct the contractor to accelerate work to recover the lost time
Correct answer: Deny the extension because only 1 extra rain day occurred beyond average
Only rain days in excess of the historical average are compensable; with 5 days vs. a 4-day average, only 1 additional day qualifies, not 14.
Question 7: Which section of the CSI MasterFormat would contain specifications for concrete unit paving installation?
- Division 02 — Existing Conditions
- Division 31 — Earthwork
- Division 32 — Exterior Improvements (Correct answer)
- Division 33 — Utilities
Correct answer: Division 32 — Exterior Improvements
Concrete unit paving (pavers) falls under Division 32, Exterior Improvements, which covers paving, planting, and site furnishings.
LARE LARE Project and Construction Management 2
During construction administration, a contractor submits a Request for Information (RFI) about an apparent conflict between the civil drawings and the landscape drawings.
What is the landscape architect's primary responsibility?