LARE LARE Project and Construction Management 5

Question 1

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?

Accepted Answer

Investigate the low bid for potential errors or omissions before awarding

Answer

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.

Question 2

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?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

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.

Question 3

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?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

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.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

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.

Question 5

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?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

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

LARE Test Practice Test

LARE Test Practice Test

LARE LARE Project and Construction Management 5