Understanding the process for Substantial Completion based on the AIA A201
So I recently passed my CE exam, and as part of my studying for it, I actually created a list of what has to take place in Substantial Completion. This list was based off of reading the A201 – General Conditions of Contract, and really trying to understand the progression of each action.
A good document to help you understand this concept further is the G704 – Certificate of Substantial Completion itself. Here’s a video from the AIA on how to fill one out:
So after I created my list, I thought, “This would be really great to have in the form of an infographic.”, so I decided to share this with you all. I highly recommend that you read the A201 yourself, try out some practice questions for it, and listen to the lectures for it as well for a deeper understanding. Lectures on the A201 General Conditions of Contract are provided from Michael Hanahan, Young Architect Academy Contracts Course, and Pluralsight Project Management Course, so it’s really up to you which platform works best.
Thanks for reading and feel free to check out my One-Page Study Guides for both the Project Management and Practice Management ARE 5.0 Exams(both free) at my Store. I would really appreciate it if you leave me a review, and let me know what you think. If I get more than 10 reviews for both products, I’ll be creating a One-Page Study Guide for ARE 5.0 Construction & Evaluation as well.
Did you find the graphic helpful, or do you remember the difference between substantial completion and final completion in a different way? Let me know in the comments!
Learn what study materials and methods I used to pass ARE 5.0 PjM exam from NCARB on my first try.
If want a condensed form of this very detailed post, you can pre-order my one page ARE 5.0 PjM Study Guide for free here. The study guide will be released on Sunday, August 30th, 2020.
I’m very excited to share that I passed my PjM exam a few weeks ago. I am releasing it late due to a hectic project, however, I still know exactly what I studied and for how long due to my continued use of Clockify, (which I go more in depth with below).
I worked full time (and then some), met up with my study group to study for this exam once a week, and listened to audio/video lectures while working, and got most of my studying done at night. Separate from my study group, I also had an accountability partner at work through our Iron Buddy program. I aimed to study at least three hours a day except for days when I had site visits, when I studied for one hour or less.
My major motivator in looking for study materials was to continue being very cost effective. I wanted to continue taking advantage of the resources I had used for PcM, while making sure that I didn’t have any knowledge gaps. I’m really trying to make sure I invest the money necessary up front, because no textbook I buy will be as expensive as retaking these exams lol.
I would like to send a big shout out to my study group, who were instrumental in supporting me and keeping me focused. I highly recommend you join one specific to your exam, so you can all learn and grow together.
Books
The Architects Handbook of Professional Practice (AHPP) – a critical resource which was very helpful for my PcM pass. The would say that this document is an essential reference for the 3 ARE 5 Practice exams. There are AHPP reading guides provided by Wiley publishing and Pluralsight were very helpful. It goes over the roles and responsibilities very well for project management. This is a very thick book, and to be honest it is required reading, you really shouldn’t skip it. It’s like eating your vegetables. I was able to get a copy of the AHPP for free from my office, so check if your office has a copy.
Price: AHPP – Free for me.
ARE 5 Review Manual (Ballast) – Ballast’s Project management section is very detailed and illustrative. I don’t have a specific reading guide to recommend, but you should definitely check out the specific Project management Chapters. Some people use this as a standalone reference for the PjM exam, but I would definitely recommend that you cross train with other materials.
Price: Ballast Review Manual – $190
Contracts
NCARB covers a lot of contracts for the PjM exam as you can see below.
My method for the contracts was:
Reading through the all actual contracts above at least once
Rewriting the contracts in shorthand as described in Christopher Richardson’s NCARB forum post
The Young Architect Contracts course was an essential reference for me. One of the biggest advantages of the Young Architects course over similar audio such as Schiff Hardin is that it goes through all of the contracts that are listed in the NCARB matrix, not just the B101 and A201. Since so much of this exam is based on the contracts, they don’t actually let you purchase the Young Architects Project Management course without the Contracts course.
Price:
Contracts: free on AIA website
Contract shorthand: free
Study Guide: free
Young Architects Contracts Course individually ($85)
Digital Resources
Quizlet – Full disclosure, I am not a big fan of physical flashcard decks. They’re a hassle to write and organize. I greatly prefer using digital flash cards for easy portability, I can save my spot in learning and test myself all within one app. One functionality that I recently started enjoying, since I joined a study group, is the ability to host live games using Quizlet to compete with other group members.
AIA Contracts Deck – Also very critical for ensuring you KNOW the contract numbers, and you’re not just guessing.
AIA Contracts Diagram Deck – This deck comes with pictures that allow you to define the contract parties relationships.
Price for all decks: Free
NCARB Forum – Whenever I have a new exam scheduled, the NCARB Forum is the first place I go to learn how other people have passed the exam. Here are some of the helpful posts that I found for the PjM exam.
Young Architect Project Management Course – this was a crucial resource for me. The great thing about this course is that it breaks everything down by the specific exam objectives. The Young Architect courses are a great value in that they are a one-time payment, after which you always have access to the course instead of a one-time. Out of all the guided programs for this exam, this one had some of the highest reviews and was the most cost-effective.
Price: It must be purchased along with the Contracts course. For both courses together it is $169.
Schiff Hardin Lectures – These are a great resource, especially for people who can’t afford to get the Pluralsight or Young Architect Contract courses to explain the A201 and B101 contracts, which are key contracts for this exam. These audio lectures are great to listen to during work or during long commutes, and they come with PDF slides so you can follow along.
Price for Audio Lectures: Free
Practice Exams
Designer Hacks PjM Exam – My office allows us to purchase one textbook for our professional exams. So I asked them to purchase the full Designer Hacks practice questions for all 6 exams, since they were the same price as one physical textbook. Designer Hacks is super portable, with its mobile version, along with multiple levels from pop quizzes to full length timed exams. You can find my one-minute review for this resource here.
Price: This item was free for me as described above, but for this course alone it is $39.
Ballast Practice Exam – These practice problems were at a level of difficulty on par with the actual exams. This practice exam book includes all 6 ARE divisions, so you’ll only have to buy the book once for all of your exams. They are split up into the different exam sections, and allow you to answer them as one long practice exam, or break it down into the separate exam sections.
Time Tracking Software
Clockify Website – I now use this website for all of my exams, to keep track of the materials I’ve studied and time spent for each resource. I can even check my progress on a daily basis, and see how many hours I study per day. This can be even better if you have specific study goals for each resource. You can use my study material tracker to list your hourly study goals for each.
Price: Free
Resources I Did Not Use
Black Spectacles – Not a lot of positive reviews and extremely expensive. I wish they broke their program into the individual parts as it would be useful to try their demo exam independent of their other offerings.
Pluralsight – since Pluralsight’s PjM course is mostly contracts, I didn’t want to purchase both this and the YA Contracts course.
Brightwood – The reviews for these materials weren’t very positive, and I felt like I have enough textbooks between AHPP and Ballast.
AEP – expensive, and not enough positive reviews to purchase
Amberbooks – I didn’t get Amberbooks for this exam, but I may use it if I don’t pass my upcoming CE exam.
Young Architect Bootcamp – If I am thinking of possibly investing in this for the final 3 technical exams, if I pass Construction Administration.
In Conclusion, I’m super glad I passed this exam on the first try, and I hope you get some good out of my methods or recommended materials. If you have any questions, feel free to message me in the chat. Wanna study along with me? I’ve created a #studywithme video so you can join me for a 2 hour Pomodoro session, and not have to study alone.
Study with me in a 2 hour long Pomodoro study session – 25 minutes studying, 5 minutes rest.
ARE 5.0 PjM Study Guide
Free Pre-order released on August 30, 2020
I’ve created a one-page PDF guide to the Project Management Exam, capturing the main ideas of this very detailed blog post in one place. This one-page document efficient and easy for you to strategize how to approach this exam using my study method. You can pre-order your copy here.
Mini Quiz from RMSM Studio on Construction Manager Project Delivery Methods
I haven’t had any experience in the past with working with Construction Managers, so I feel like I really had to go the extra mile to understand all the differences and roles & responsibilities in the different CM project delivery methods. I’ve created some very handy charts to help explain the differences between CMa and CMc, I may release it later when I’m less overwhelmed.
I’m also trying to get back into the habit of regular note taking instead of being so focused on watching the explanatory videos. I was really inspired by this video I watched today by Jorge Herrera on quick study tips. I’ll probably be buying an assortment of notebooks and binders for my path forward, and take advantage of some of these back to school sales.
Question 01
Joanne Bowman is the manager of a government branch looking to expand in the near future. She is looking for a high-quality design, with low risk. Which project delivery methods would you, as her architect, recommend to her? (Select two)
Design-Bid-Build
Construction Manager as Advisor
Construction Manager as Constructor
Integrated Project Delivery
Question 02
While on the construction site, the Project Architect Maryam Lanoir notices a defect in the work. Since this project is a Construction Manager as Advisor project delivery method, what should be her next steps?
Instruct the superintendent to correct the deficiency, as per the contract drawings
Notify the Owner
Notify the Contractor
Notify the Construction manager
All of the above
Question 03
Jessica Trevi is an architect providing construction administration services on a Construction Manager as Advisor project. What is not a joint service that she provides?
Certifying applications for payment
Preparing change orders
Reviewing RFIs
Rejecting work
Question 01
CORRECT ANSWERS
Construction Manager as Constructor
Integrated Project Delivery
Both CMc and IPD are preferred in projects with high building quality standards, and where owners want to reduce their risk.
inCORRECT ANSWERS
Construction Manager as Adviser is a preferred choice for reducing project risk, but it is not always used for high building quality. Design-bid-build, is known for being low cost, which also can create low quality, as well as being high risk.
For reference, read Ballast Chapter 3.
Question 02
While on the construction site, the Project Architect Maryam Lanoir notices a defect in the work. Since this project is a Construction Manager as Advisor project delivery method, what should be her next steps?
Notify the Owner
Notify the Contractor
Notify the Construction Manager
With CMa projects, it is the architect’s responsibility to notify the Owner and the Construction Manager of any observed defects and deficiencies. See A232 – Article 4.2.2
The architect is not able to issue instructions to the superintendent. According to A232 – Article 3.9.1, it is only communications, not instructions that can be given to the superintendent.
Question 03
Jessica Trevi is an architect providing construction administration services on a Construction Manager as Advisor project. What is not a joint service that she provides?
Preparing change orders
CORRECT ANSWER
Preparing change orders or construction change directives is not a joint service provided the architect in construction administration.
Certifying applications for payment, RFI review and rejecting work is something that is done by both the CM and architect in a CMa project delivery.
I hope you like this mini quiz. Let me know how you did in the comments, or on the RMSM Studio Facebook page.
All of my recent practice questions are now available in one place, on the Practice Questions page in the top menu.
As I continue to study for ARE 5.0 Project Management, one of the areas I struggle with the most is Quality Management, but not for the reason you might think. For me, a lot of the concepts seem so obvious that it’s difficult for me to retain. So I’ll be reading it, agreeing with everything it says, but not retaining any specifics. So I’ve been trying to work on that in ways that will stay in my memory. Videos like the one below, and other tools are great visual aids to help me retain those details.
Practice Problem: Quality Management
Which of these items are not elements of a Quality Management (QM) in Construction Procurement?
Effective In-House Procurement Protocol
Beneficial Support Resources
Constant Monitoring and Documentation
Document Access and Control
Correct Answer
Document Access and Control is an Element of Quality Management in Construction Administration.
Wrong Answers
All of these items are Elements of Quality Management in Construction Procurement:
Effective In-House Procurement Protocol
Beneficial Support Resources
Constant Monitoring and Documentation
For reference for this question, check out AHPP Chapter 12.4.
Let me know how you did on this question, and make sure to follow RMSM Studios on Facebook and Instagram!
ARE 5.0 Project Management (PjM) Practice Question on firm utilization rates.
Utilization Rates are an important part of how firms track the hours spent on direct versus indirect labor, and are considered one of the 7 Key Financial Performance Indicators for architecture firms. I created this practice problem using the concept and real ways that it might change over time. Hyperfine is a great resource for practice questions and examples on both practice and project management concepts, as part of their Financial Formulas Workbook and their ARE 5.0 Courses.
Here’s a video of them going through a set of utilization rate questions.
Practice Question: Utilization Rates
The image below shows the salaries and utilization rates for the previous year for SKY Architects.
The salaries and utilization rates for this year are expected to be exactly the same, with the following changes:
Baboucar will be on paid paternity leave for 3 months
Yandeh will only be working part-time to pursue her graduate degree in historic presentation. Her utilization rate will be cut in half.
With these changes in mind, calculate the following:
Estimated annual direct labor budget
Yandeh R.’s estimated annual direct labor hours
Correct Answers
Question 01
In order to calculate the estimated annual budget we first need to calculate the direct labor budget for each member of staff:
Samuel: $170,000 * 0.5 = $85,000
Jeoffrey: $60,000 * 0 = $0
Yandeh: $90,500 salary, utilization rate = 0.8 * 0.5 = 0.4, so Yandeh’s direct salary this year will be $90,500 * 0.4 = $36,200
Fatou:$90,500 * 0.9 = $81,450
Baboucar: $70,000 salary, but he will only be working for 9 months out of 12, so we calculate 9/12 of his salary or 75%. So $70,000 * 0.75 = $52,500. With a consistent utilization rate of 0.9, his direct salary is $52,500 * 0.9 = $47,250
If we add up all of these direct salaries, we get $249,900.
Question 02
In order to calculate Yandeh’s estimated direct labor hours, we first need to determine hours per year. The number of hours in a year is 2080. Her current utilization rate is 80% but with her new graduate program, her utilization rate is reduced to 40% for this year.
So we would calculate 2080 hours * 0.4 = 832 direct labor hours this year.
Let me know how you did on this question, and make sure to follow RMSM Studios on Facebook and Instagram! Feel free to look through my blog for additional PjM Practice Questions and Mini Quizzes. You can search by tags, or by categories. If you have any questions, or you want to tell me how you did, leave a comment on the blog or on my Facebook page.
ARE 5.0 Practice question from RMSM Studio on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA, which is celebrating its 30 year anniversary!
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
Try your hand at this practice problem I created today based on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which had its 30th anniversary this week! Though this is something we study as a mandatory code to be enforced in architecture and the ARE specifically, it’s still important to remember the impact this legislation has on the lives of people everyday. You can also check out these great videos from Archicorner as a study reference for ADA design. Here’s a great video from them on the differences between ADA and Building Code Accessibility.
Here’s an additional great article from ArchDaily, which provides a simple guide to using ADA standards.
Practice Problem: ADA
The ADA prevents discrimination based on which of the following:
Discrimination based on gender, for employers with 15+ employees
Discrimination based on disability, regardless of employer size
Discrimination based on age, for employers with 20+ employees
Discrimination based on disbility, for employers with 15+ employees
Correct Answer
Discrimination based on disability, for employers with 15+ employees.
Wrong Answers
The Civil Right Act, Title VII prevents discrimination based on gender, race color, religion, national origin and sexual orientation for employers with 15+ employees.
ADA prevents discrimination based on disability specifically for employers with 15+ employees.
ADEA (Age Discrimination in Employment Act) prevents discrimination based on age.
Let me know how you did on this question, and make sure to follow RMSM Studios on Facebook and Instagram! For more practice questions you can check out my mini quizzes, or some of the awesome practice exams created by Designer Hacks (which I just used today, got a 77% lol) and the Walking the ARE Practice Exams. As always, happy studying!
Mini Quiz from RMSM Studio on the Project Planning and Management
I’ve created these questions based on the Ballast Review Manual, which you can find for on Amazon, or search for a used version in the ARE Facebook Group. The Ballast Review Manual comes very highly recommended for multiple ARE exams, and you can check out the Young Architect website for a 15% off discount from PPI2Pass.
Question 01
Within the Critical Path Method (CPM), which items are denoted by a solid arrow?
Dummies
Tasks
The Critical Path
Dependencies
Question 02
Which elements form part of the project work plan? (Select all that apply)
Allocation of time and fees
Staff Required
Instruments of service
Milestones
Contingencies
Consultant work and fees
Question 03
Architects should consider the follow issues when assembling a project team, except for: (Select one)
Billing Rates
Project Size and Complexity
Personalities
Contractor Experience
Question 04
What is the typical fee percentage for Design Development?
15%
20%
30%
40%
Question 01
Within the Critical Path Method (CPM), which items are denoted by a solid arrow?
Tasks
Dummies are represented by dashed arrows, as opposed to the heavy dashed arrows which show the Critical Path. Dummies are another name for Dependencies.
Ballast, page 4-6
Question 02
Which elements form part of the project work plan? (Select all that apply)
Allocation of time and fees
Staff Required
Milestones
Consultant work and fees
Though the project can be broken down into phases and individual tasks, the instruments of service themselves are not an element of the project work plan.
Although time and fees allocated to the project can both include contingencies, contingencies themselves are not an element of the project work plan.
Ballast, page 4-8
Question 03
Architects should consider the follow issues when assembling a project team, except for: (Select one)
Contractor Experience
Architects do not make the selection for contractors, though contractors can be a part of the overall project team.
Ballast, page 4-4
Question 04
What is the typical fee percentage for Design Development?
20%
On a typical design-bid-build project, the fee percentages are as follows:
Schematic Design: 15%
Design Development: 20%
Construction Documentation: 40%
Bidding: 5%
Contract Administration: 20%
Ballast, page 4-9
I hope you like this mini quiz. Let me know how you did in the comments, or on the RMSM Studio Facebook page. If you got none of them right, it’s time to hit the books!
If you’re studying for Project Management, feel free to check out my other Mini Quiz on the A201, and if you’re studying for Construction & Evaluation, check out my Mini Quiz on C401.
A 4 question quiz on the General Conditions of the Contract for Construction. The answers are provided after the questions. The A201 contract is available as a free download from the AIA website, and I’m currently studying it in preparation for my upcoming Project Management (PjM) and Construction & Evaluation (CE) Exam. It is listed within the ARE 5.0 Reference Matrix as a study material for PjM. Good luck studying, and if you have any questions, let me know in the comments!
Question 01
When does the Owner not have to share information about their financial arrangements for the Work?
Prior to the commencement of the work
When the Owner fails to make payments as per the contract documents
When a change in the work materially changes the contract sum
When the Architect issues a Certificate for Payment
Question 02
A Modification is all of the following, except for a: (Choose 1)
Construction Change Directive
Written Order for a minor change in work issued by the Owner
Change Order
Written Amendment to the Contract signed by both parties
Question 03
The Contractor shall immediately suspend any operations if they encounter the following conditions, except for:
(Choose 1)
Wetlands
Archaeological Sites
Burial Markers
Contract Documents in violation of applicable laws
Question 04
Select all items provided and paid for by the Contractor:
Sales Tax
Approvals for Occupancy
Temporary facilities not incorporated in the work
Utilities
Equipment and Machinery
Transportation
Question 01
When does the Owner not have to share information about their financial arrangements for the Work?
Correct Answers
When the Architect issues a Certificate for Payment
Incorrect Answers
Prior to the commencement of the work – Article 2.2.1 Prior to commencement of work and upon written request of the contractor, the owner shall furnish to the contractor evidence that the owner has made financial arrangements
When the Owner fails to make payments as per the contract documents & When a change in the work materially changes the contract sum – See Article 2.2.2
Question 02
A Modification is all of the following, except for a: (Choose 1)
Correct Answer
Written Order for a minor change in work issued by the Owner – Owners do not issue minor changes in work, those are issue by the Architect
Incorrect Answers
Construction Change Directive, Change Order, and a Written Amendment to the Contract signed by both parties: are all listed under Article 1.1.1 as Modifications.
Question 03
The Contractor shall immediately suspend any operations if they encounter the following conditions, except for:
Correct Answer
contract documents in violation of applicable laws – Article 3.2.3 The Contractor is not required to suspend work upon discovery of a nonconformity of the Contract Documents, only required to promptly report to the Architect
Incorrect Answers
According to Article 3.7.5 if the COntractor discovers any of these conditions, they shall immediately suspend operations:
Wetlands
Archaeological sites
Burial markers
Question 04
Select all items provided and paid for by the Contractor:
Correct Answer
Sales Tax – Article 3.6 Taxes
Temporary facilities not incorporated in the work – Article 3.4.1
Utilities – Article 3.4.1
Equipment and Machinery – Article 3.4.1
Transportation – Article 3.4.1
Incorrect Answers
All other items are to be provided by the Contractor.
Approvals for Occupancy – Provided by the owner as per Article 2.3.1
Thanks for taking part in my quiz, let me know how you did in the comments! You can also check out my mini quiz for C401 or check out my reviews for other practice exam providers.
A 4 question quiz on the Agreement between the Architect and Consultant. The answers are provided after the questions. The C401 contract is available as a free download from the AIA website, and I’m currently studying it in preparation for my upcoming Project Management (PjM) Exam. It is listed within the ARE 5.0 Reference Matrix as a study material for PjM. Good luck studying, and if you have any questions, let me know in the comments!
Question 01
Select all four parties identified in the C401:
Architect
Owner
Contractor
Sub-consultants
Architect’s Other Consultants
Surety
Consultant
Subcontractors
Question 02
Which statements are true of consultant’s services?
COnsultant has the ability to reject work under their scope
Architect ascertains requirements for the Consultant’s portion of the work
Consultants shall render written decisions on claims and disputes relating to the execution of their portion of the scope
Consultant shall notify the architect of the need for additional services
Question 03
The Architect must provide the following information except for:
(Choose 1)
detailed layouts showing locations of connections
tabulations giving equipment sizes
the architect’s compensation within the prime agreement
investigations of other consultants not within the scope of the consultants services
Question 04
Select all methods of binding dispute resolution between an Architect and their Consultant:
(Choose 2)
Arbitration
Mediation
Professional Ethics Council
Litigation
Question 01
Select all four parties identified in the C401:
Correct Answers
Architect – Identified on the first page of the Agreement
Owner – Identified on the first page of the Agreement
Sub-consultants- Identified in Article 1.9
Consultant – Identified on the first page of the Agreement
Incorrect Answers
None of the other parties are specifically identified and named within this agreement.
Question 02
Which statements are true of consultant’s services?
Correct Answer
Consultant shall notify the architect of the need for additional services (Article 4.1)
Incorrect Answers
Article 3.1.5 Consultant does not have the ability to reject any work on the project, they can assist the architect in determining if work should be rejected
Article 3.1.1 Consultant shall ascertain the requirements for this portion of the work and shall confirm such requirements with the architect.
Article 3.1.4 Consultants don’t have the power to render decisions on disputes, they can however issue written recommendations on claims, disputes, and other matters in question relating to the execution or progress of their portions of the work.
Question 03
The Architect must provide the following information except for:
Correct Answer
the architect’s compensation within the prime agreement – Article 1.1, a copy of the prime agreement(from which compensation amounts maybe deleted) is attached as Exhibit A and is made a part of this Agreement
Incorrect Answers
Article 5.3 The Architect shall furnish to the Consultant detailed layouts showing locations of connections, tabulations giving equipment sizes, loads and other information on equipment designed.
Article 5.7 If the Consultant reasonably requests information from investigations, survey,s, tests, analyses or reports, or the services of other consultants not within the scope of the consultant’s services, the Architect shall request that the Owner furnish the information or services.
Question 04
Select all methods of binding dispute resolution between an Architect and their Consultant:
Correct Answers
Arbitration – Article 8.2
Litigation – Article 8.2
Incorrect Answers
Mediation – Not a method of binding dispute resolution
Ethics Council – Only related to ethics disputes against architects
Thanks for taking part in my quiz, let me know how you did in the comments!
RMSM Studio 