ARE 5.0 Exam Prep · Interactive Tool · Updated May 2026
AIA contract comparison tool
Explore delivery methods, risk allocation, contract timelines, and test yourself with flashcards — all in one place.
Compare the four delivery methods tested on the ARE across five dimensions. Bars show relative rating — higher is more of that quality.
Design-Bid-Build
A101 · B101 · A201
Schedule speed
Sequential — slowest method
Cost certainty
Fixed price before construction
Owner control
Independent architect advocate
Owner risk
Risk distributed between owner, architect, and contractor
Collaboration
Sequential, less integrated
CM at-Risk
A133 · B101 · A201
Schedule speed
Fast-track possible with GMP
Cost certainty
GMP protects owner from overruns
Owner control
Independent architect retained
Owner risk
GMP limits exposure
Collaboration
CM joins during design
Design-Build
A141 · B143
Schedule speed
Design and construction overlap
Cost certainty
Early cost control through single entity
Owner control
Architect works for design-builder, not directly for owner
Owner risk
Single point of responsibility
Collaboration
Integrated design-build team
IPD
A195 · B195 · A295
Schedule speed
Early collaboration accelerates
Cost certainty
Target cost with shared savings
Owner control
PMT governs by consensus
Owner risk
Shared risk and reward among all parties
Collaboration
Highest — all parties integrated
Which parties sign each AIA document — and who has authority over what.
| Document | Owner | Architect | Contractor | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A101 | ✓ | — | ✓ | Owner + Contractor only |
| B101 | ✓ | ✓ | — | Owner + Architect only |
| A201 | ✓ | — | ✓ | Part of Owner–Contractor agreement; Architect administers but is not a party |
| C401 | — | ✓ | — | Architect + Consultant only |
| G701 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | All three must sign — Change Order |
| G702 | — | ✓ | ✓ | Contractor submits, Architect certifies per A201 §9.4.1 |
| G703 | — | — | ✓ | Contractor submits with G702 |
| G704 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Architect certifies; Owner and Contractor acknowledge and accept |
| G709 | — | ✓ | — | Issued by Architect or Owner to request pricing — not a directive |
| A141 | ✓ | — | ✓ | Owner + Design-Builder (Architect works for DB, not owner) |
| B143 | — | ✓ | — | Design-Builder + Architect |
| A195 + B195 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Multi-party agreement — shared risk/reward among all parties |
Who bears the primary risk for each type of project issue across delivery methods. Taller bar = more risk for that party. Note: AIA contracts often allocate shared or conditional risk — these show the primary responsible party under standard conditions.
Design errors
Construction cost overruns
Primarily contractor risk under a fixed price — except for owner changes, differing site conditions, or allowances/contingencies
Schedule delays
Except excusable delays — weather, owner-directed changes, or force majeure may entitle contractor to time extensions under A201 §8.3
Site conditions
Owner typically bears risk for unknown or differing site conditions under A201 §3.7.4
When each contract is active across the project lifecycle. Colored cells show when that document is in use.
B101 — Owner-Architect
A101 — Owner-Contractor (executed after contractor selection)
C401 — Architect-Consultant (typically begins early design, continues through construction)
A701 — Instructions to Bidders (bidding phase only)
G701 — Change Order
G702/G703 — Payment Application
G704 — Substantial Completion
A133 — CM at-Risk (CM may be engaged during design, often beginning in SD)
A141 — Design-Build
A195/B195/A295 — IPD
Click any card to flip it and see the details. Test yourself before your exam.
A101
Owner-Contractor Stipulated Sum
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Owner ↔ Contractor
Sets the fixed contract price, schedule, and payment terms. Used for traditional design-bid-build. Executed after contractor selection — incorporates A201 by reference.
A201
General Conditions
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Part of Owner–Contractor agreement; Architect administers but is not a party
The rulebook for traditional projects. Defines rights, responsibilities, changes, payments, and disputes. Incorporated into the Owner–Contractor agreement (A101 or A133) — not separately executed and not incorporated into B101. Architect acts as Initial Decision Maker for claims unless otherwise specified in the Agreement.
B101
Owner-Architect Agreement
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Owner ↔ Architect
The architect’s employment contract. Five phases of basic services, standard of care, compensation, and instruments of service ownership. Defines the architect’s role in administering the A201-based construction contract.
C401
Architect-Consultant Agreement
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Architect ↔ Consultant
Governs the architect’s subconsultants. Obligations flow down from B101. Consultant is paid by the architect, not the owner. Consultant retains ownership of instruments of service but grants a license for project use.
A133
Owner-Contractor GMP Agreement
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Owner ↔ CM/Contractor
CM at-risk delivery. CM provides preconstruction services during design, then establishes a guaranteed maximum price. Owner retains independent architect under B101 who administers the A201-based contract.
A141
Owner-Design Builder Agreement
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Owner ↔ Design-Builder
Design-build delivery. Single entity provides design and construction. Owner gains single point of responsibility but architect works for the design-builder, not directly for the owner.
B143
Design-Builder-Architect Agreement
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Design-Builder ↔ Architect
Architect works as subconsultant to design-builder. No direct owner relationship. Cannot act as impartial administrator. Paid by design-builder.
A195 + B195
IPD Agreements
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Multi-party agreement — Owner, Architect & Contractor
Integrated Project Delivery. Multi-party framework with shared risk and reward, early contractor involvement, and PMT governance by consensus. A195, B195, and A295 function together as an integrated IPD framework.
G701
Change Order
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Owner + Architect + Contractor
Documents agreed changes to contract sum or time. All three parties must sign. Cannot be issued by one or two parties alone.
G702/G703
Application for Payment
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Contractor submits → Architect reviews
G702 is the payment request. G703 is the schedule of values continuation sheet. Within 7 days, architect issues Certificate for Payment to the Owner per A201 §9.4.1 — may issue full amount, modify, or withhold with stated reasons.
G704
Certificate of Substantial Completion
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Architect certifies — Owner and Contractor acknowledge
Documents substantial completion date and punch list. Establishes the basis for retainage release, warranty commencement, and insurance shift. Retainage release and insurance transfer are not automatic — they depend on contract terms and policy provisions.
G709
Proposal Request
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Architect or Owner → Contractor
Pricing inquiry before a change is authorized. Does not direct the contractor to proceed. Contractor responds with cost and time proposal. G701 follows if agreed.
A701
Instructions to Bidders
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Owner (through Architect) → Bidders
Governs the bidding process. Part of bidding documents — not contract documents. Addenda issued during bidding become part of the contract documents upon execution of the agreement.
A295
General Conditions for IPD
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Owner, Architect & Contractor — shared governance
The rulebook for IPD — same structural role as A201 for traditional delivery. Establishes PMT and PIT governance, shared risk, BIM protocols, and mutual waiver of consequential damages. Architect participates in governance rather than acting as independent administrator.