AIA Contract Series · ARE 5.0 Exam Prep · Updated May 2026
AIA G709 explained for ARE 5.0
A plain-language breakdown of the Proposal Request form — what it is, when it is used, how it fits into the change management process, and why it matters for your exam.
What is AIA G709?
The AIA G709 — formally titled Proposal Request — is the form the architect uses to request pricing from the contractor for a potential change in the work before a Change Order is issued. It is a preliminary step in the change management process, not a directive to proceed.
Think of G709 as a pricing inquiry. The owner is considering a change, and the architect issues G709 requesting pricing from the contractor before committing to it. The contractor responds with a price proposal, and if the owner agrees, a Change Order (G701) is then issued to formally authorize the work.
Why G709 appears on CE and PjM
G709 is tested on Construction & Evaluation and Project Management because it is a core tool for managing scope changes during construction. Understanding when to use G709 versus G701 or G714 is a key skill tested on both divisions.
CE
Construction & Evaluation
Covers how the architect administers potential changes during construction — soliciting pricing, evaluating contractor proposals, and deciding whether to proceed with a change.
PjM
Project Management
Covers how the architect manages scope and budget during a project — using G709 to evaluate the cost impact of potential changes before committing the owner to additional expense.
How G709 fits into the change process
Understanding where G709 sits in the change management workflow is one of the most tested concepts on CE and PjM:
Step 1
Architect issues G709 — Proposal Request
The architect identifies a potential change — either from an owner request, a design issue, or an unforeseen condition. The architect issues G709 to the contractor asking for a price and time proposal for the change. No work is authorized yet.
Step 2
Contractor responds with a proposal
The contractor reviews the proposed change and submits a price proposal detailing the cost impact and any schedule impact. This is the contractor’s offer — not a binding agreement.
Step 3
Architect evaluates and recommends
The architect reviews the contractor’s proposal, evaluates whether it is reasonable, and makes a recommendation to the owner. The architect does not approve cost increases — only the owner can do that.
Step 4
Change Order or CCD may be issued
If the owner agrees to the price, a Change Order (G701) is issued and all three parties sign. If the owner wants to proceed but the contractor won’t agree on price, a Construction Change Directive (G714) can be issued instead. If the work is ultimately authorized, the process may proceed to a G701 Change Order or G714 CCD.
Key concepts to know for the exam
G709 is not a directive
No work is authorized
Issuing a G709 does not authorize the contractor to proceed with the change. It is only a request for pricing. The contractor should not begin work based on a G709 alone — a signed Change Order or CCD is required to authorize work.
Initiated by the architect
On behalf of the owner
The architect issues G709 on behalf of the owner. It is part of the architect’s construction administration duties under B101. The owner may request the change but the architect manages the formal process.
Scope of the proposal
Cost and time impacts when applicable
The contractor’s proposal typically addresses both cost and schedule impacts when applicable. G709 requests changes to Contract Sum and Contract Time, though some changes may affect only one. Both elements should be evaluated before a Change Order is issued.
Not required in all cases
Discretionary use
G709 is not mandatory for every change. For straightforward changes where cost and time are already agreed upon, the parties can proceed directly to a Change Order. G709 is most useful when the scope or cost of a change is uncertain and needs to be explored before committing.
Common exam traps
- G709 is a request for pricing — it does not authorize the contractor to begin work.
- A contractor who begins work based solely on a G709 does so at their own risk.
- G709 is issued by the architect — not the owner directly.
- The contractor’s proposal typically addresses both cost and schedule impacts when applicable.
- G709 is different from G714 — G709 asks for pricing, G714 directs the contractor to proceed without full agreement.
- G709 commonly precedes a G701 Change Order or G714 CCD when pricing information is needed before authorization — but parties may proceed directly to a G701 without G709 when cost and time are already known.
Exam tip
When an ARE question describes a situation where the owner is considering a change but hasn’t decided yet, and the architect needs to find out what it will cost — that is a G709 situation. If the owner has decided and all parties agree on price, that is a G701. If the owner has decided but the contractor won’t agree on price, that is a G714. G709 commonly precedes G701 or G714 when pricing information is needed before authorization.
How G709 relates to other AIA contracts
G709 is part of the G-Series administrative forms used during construction alongside G701 (Change Order), G714 (Construction Change Directive), G702/G703 (Application for Payment), and G704 (Certificate of Substantial Completion). A201 Article 7 establishes the rules for changes in the work that G709, G701, and G714 all support. Understanding how these forms work together as a system is one of the most important skills tested on CE and PjM.