This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Small Project Practitioners and Residential Knowledge Community .
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I'm planning a renovation of my own home (kitchen and basement). As an architect myself, I have never done residential work, so am seeking advice.
I've found a contractor who seems excellent and works on a Cost-Plus basis without a guaranteed maximum price. He usually uses a contract written by the Home Builder's Association, but is open to using AIA contracts as he has worked with architects before. I don't want to use the Home Builders Contract since, in my view, it is very one-sided benefiting the Contractor, and written in a sloppy manner at points. The AIA contract (A103 w/ A201 Gen'l Conditions) is much more extensive which could seem excessive for the size of this job. But of course it is very tightly written and fair to all parties. I'd prefer to use the AIA contract. I don't want to over-complicate matters - I'd like to use one or the other and move on. So I'm seeking some advice on how to make the AIA contract work in this instance.
The Owner and Architect are separate entities in the contract, but in my project are one and the same. The Architect in the contract has defined roles that I will also fill. Pay Requests will go directly to me as Owner. The Architect is the Initial Decision Maker in a dispute, acting as a third party between Owner and Contractor. We will not have that third party.
I suspect it is unwise to amend these contracts much, so I'd like to keep it intact (hoping Contractor will agree). Has anyone run into problems using such a contract on your own home project when you are both Owner and Architect? Any other advice in my situation would be much appreciated.
Thank you,
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Catherine Barfield AIA
Architect
Atlanta GA
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