Contract DocumentsContract Documents News

Recent Announcements, Articles & Press Releases

5 of the most commonly misinterpreted terms in construction contracts
The following is the tenth installment of Construction Dive's "The Dotted Line" series, which takes an in-depth look at different construction contract types each month with expert input.

Customized State of Utah Building Information Modeling documents now available
September 28, 2016 - The American Institute of Architects (AIA) announced the release of customized AIA Contract Documents® templates for exclusive use by the State of Utah, Division of Facilities Construction and Management of the Department of Administrative Services.

The Dotted Line: How to negotiate the construction bidding process and avoid a 'real nightmare'
The following is the ninth installment of Construction Dive's "The Dotted Line" series, which takes an in-depth look at different construction contract types each month with expert input.

The American Institute of Architects releases customized State of South Carolina Documents
September 6, 2016 Press Release —The South Carolina versions of the AIA documents include state-specific amendments to the standard text of the AIA documents, as developed by the Office of the State Engineer, and will be used for State of South Carolina design and construction projects that utilize the Design-Bid-Build, Construction Manager at Risk, and Construction Manager as Advisor delivery methods.

The Dotted Line: How effective contracts can 'drive the train' of the project closeout process
The following is the eighth installment of the Construction Dive's "The Dotted Line" series, which takes an in-depth look at different construction contract types each month with expert input.

CSI endorses AIA’s owner-consultant contract documents
CSI has endorsed three American Institute of Architects (AIA) contract documents for owners and consultants.

The Dotted Line: How construction firms can manage the 'necessary evil' of change orders
The following is the seventh installment of Construction Dive's "The Dotted Line" series, which takes an in-depth look at different construction contract types each month with expert input.

The Dotted Line: Inside the 'dance' of subcontractor negotiations
Fifth installment of Construction Dive's "The Dotted Line" series, which takes an in-depth look at different construction contract types each month with expert input.

Collaboration Made Easy With AIA's Teaming Agreements
Architizer article(June 3, 2016) - In addition to updating their standard family of contracts for architects and designers, AIA attorneys also look for new ways to meet needs and make projects run smoother. In May of last year they released the C102 Teaming Agreement, marking their effort to help different types of firms across the industry collaborate more fairly and more efficiently.

Industry Standard Surety Bonds Ensure Contractual Obligations
AIA Bond Forms article in the March 28 issue of ENR (page 11).

Why Overlooking General Conditions can derail a Construction Contract
Fourth installment of Construction Dive's "The Dotted Line" series, which takes an in-depth look at different construction contract types each month with expert input.

Less Negotiating, More Building: The Flexible Contract Worth Considering
Article from Architizer (posted March 17,2016) - Architects pursuing multiple projects with the same client would still need to renegotiate those details every … single … time. What some may not know is that there is an easier way to go about it: using the AIA’s Master Agreements for architects and owners as well as for architects and consultants.

How design-build can create a 'symphony' of collaboration
Third installment of Construction Dive's "The Dotted Line" series, which takes an in-depth look at different construction contract types each month with expert input.

How to navigate 'the 3 Cs' of construction bonding
Second installment of Construction Dive's "The Dotted Line" series, which takes an in-depth look at different construction contract types each month with expert input.

How GMP contracts keep projects from endless 'costs and costs and costs'
First installment of Construction Dive's "The Dotted Line" series, which takes an in-depth look at different construction contract types each month with expert input.

Sustainable Projects Require Sustainable Contract Documents
Article in Construction Executive’s Managing Your Business newsletter (November 30)

COMMERCIAL FINANCE 701 — Construction contracts and risk mitigation
Article posted on September 10, 2015 about the importance of a well-drafted construction contract for commercial construction projects.

What are the Benefits of a Written Contract?
AIA’s Mike Bomba talks with Lou Manfredini on the Mr. Fix-It radio show on the importance of a written contract.

AIA Contract Documents Recommended on NBC’s Today Show
On the Today show, in the "Hiring a contractor you won't regret: What you need to know" segment, John DeSilvia of the DIY Network's "Rescue My Renovation" recommends why you should start with an AIA Contract.

The Construction Specifications Institute Endorses AIA Design Build Documents
CSI and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) have announced CSI’s endorsement of the AIA Design-Build documents.

Simpler and Less Risky. Fixing design/build woes for small firms
Article written by Joshua Ballance, Esq. for Residential Article on the new AIA Residential Design-Build document released in May 2015.

Heavy-Timber Proponents Push for 100-Foot-Tall Wood Structures
Article posted on ENR.com on May 19, 2015 that mentions the newly released C102™–2015, Standard Form of Teaming Agreement Between Team Manager and Team Member for the Purpose of Responding to a Solicitation and Pursuing a Project.

Roadmap for Residences: How Design-Build Can Save Your Firm Money
(Article on Architizer; May 2015) The upward trend in residential design-build is poised for a boost this month, when the American Institute of Architects adds the A145 to its Design-Build family of AIA Contract Documents.

The AIA Releases Four New Documents
May 14, 2015 Press Release

Providing Legal Frameworks for Architectural Projects: Case Studies of AIA Contracts
Architizer highlights projects that have used AIA Contract Documents (December 4, 2014)

Limit Liability with AIA Contractor and Subcontractor Agreements
Article in Construction Executive’s Risk Management (October 28 issue)

Online Education Resources for Understanding Construction Contracts
Article in Construction Executive’s TechTrends (September 23 issue).

Top 5 Ways to Avoid a Lawsuit While Getting Home Improvements
AIA Contract Documents mentioned in the Huffington Post’s Home section.

Customized AIA Contract Documents Created for the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE)
On Tuesday, September 2 it was announced that customized AIA Contract Documents were created for the Kentucky Department of Education to streamline their contract process.

AIA’s Updated Design-Build Documents Highlight Some Best Practices
Article in Best Practices Construction Law posted on August 12.

Bid Review: New AIA design/build resources for a new practice landscape
An article regarding the updated Design-Build documents in the July issue of Architect Magazine.

Architecture 2030 Pushes Harder Toward Carbon-Neutral Buildings
The updated Design-Build documents are mentioned in this ENR article posted on July 2.

AIA Convention: CSI endorses Contract Documents Digital Practice set
Article in Construction Specifier – July 8, 2014

What Effect Will CSI’s Endorsement of AIA’s Digital Practice Documents Have on the Design and Construction Industry?
Article on ConstructionProNet – July 11, 2014

New Contract Document Management Technologies Aid Productivity
Article in the July issue of Construction Executive

The Construction Specifications Institute Endorses AIA’s Digital Practice Documents
Press Release – June 30^th, 2014.

ACD5 Article in ECOBUILDING Pulse’s Summer 2014 Issue
Digital Dynamics - ACD5 and a continued evolution

AIA Releases the 2014 Design-Build Documents at the AIA Convention
Updates to the Design-Build Documents include the flexibility to accommodate various ways in which a design-build project can be delivered, the addition of an Owner’s Criteria and updated Insurance and Sustainable Project Exhibits.

AIA Contract Documents is now on Twitter
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AIA Contract Documents is now on Facebook
Like us on Facebook to stay connected with industry news, analysis, opinion and other AIA Contract Documents information.

AIA Trust
The AIA Trust—Insurance and benefit programs for members and components of The American Institute of Architects; and a risk-management resource for the practice of Architecture in cooperation with the Institute.

Seven New AIA Contract Documents for Sustainable Projects Just Released
Learn how the new SP documents address the construction manager’s early involvement to meet the owner’s sustainable objective and process.

AIA Contract Documents launches seven new documents at the 2013 AIA Convention
The new documents, include the new BIM and Digital Documents, a new document family of contracts called Program Management documents, and three free guides.

Understanding AIA’s Small Project Documents
Ken Cobleigh, AIA Contract Documents Managing Director and Counsel, writes about contract considerations for small projects in the popular Entrepreneur Architect blog.

AIA Develops Model Language for Sustainable Projects
Vicki Speed covers The Guide for Sustainable Projects in the Law Special Section for Engineering News-Record (page 10).

Six Documents Added to Documents-on-Demand
Check out all 92 documents now available on the popular Documents-on-Demand service.

Congratulations AIA Contract Documents
AIA Contract Documents’ Online Ordering Process Wins Avectra’s Innovation Award for Best Member Experience Using eWeb.

Executive Insights from Leaders in Construction Law
Ken Cobleigh, AIA Contract Documents Managing Director and Counsel, featured in Construction Executive’s Construction Law issue (February 2012).

New AIA Documents for Sustainable Design and Construction Projects
Article in the latest issue of Green HomeBuilder on page 26.

Integrated Project Delivery: Making the Case for Healthcare
An article in Health Building Ideas.

AIA Guide for Sustainable Projects--What Bond Producers and Sureties Should Know
An article on the AIA Document D503™-2011, Guide for Sustainable Projects, including Agreement Amendments and Supplementary Conditions (Guide).

Following Along With Forms
Byline by Ken Cobleigh featured in the July 2011 issue of Construction Today.

The AIA Guide for Sustainable Projects: What Architects Should Know
This blog entry focuses on application of the “Guide for Sustainable Projects” from the Architect’s perspective.

Download the new AIA Guide for Sustainable Projects FREE
On May 12^th, the AIA launched the new Guide for Sustainable Projects was developed to assist users of AIA Contract Documents in understanding contractual considerations unique to sustainable design and construction projects. The Guide is available as a free download.

Good Contracts Lead to Good Relationships with Contractors
An article published in the November 5, 2010 Chicago Tribune, in the Consumer News – Chicago Homes advice column.

AIA Contract Document Software is compatibility with Microsoft Windows 7
On April 20, 2010, The American Institute of Architects (AIA) announced that AIA Contract Document software is now compatible with Microsoft® Windows® 7. AIA Contract Documents software is the only standard contract documents publisher in the U.S. for the design and construction industry that is accepted by the Microsoft Corporation as fully compatible with Windows, including Windows 7.

Protect Your Project using Rock-Solid Contracts with AIA Contract Documents™
AIA Contract Documents is featured in Construction Executive’s 2010 Hot Products issue. AIA Contract Documents received Construction Executive’s 2010 Hot Technology Product.

Three Popular Bond Forms Updated by AIA
An article published in the September/October 2010 issue of Design Cost Data.

New Standard Form Multi-Party Agreement – Good for Project Behavior
A story on the AIA Multi-Party agreement in the July-August 2010 issue of Design Cost Data magazine

AIA Contract Documents: The Industry Standard
Article written by Timothy Twomey, AIA, Esq. that was originally published in The Builder’s Journal about AIA Contract Documents.

All for One, One for All. Trust, Teamwork and Technology Define Integrated Project Delivery
The AIA IPD Multi-Party agreement is mentioned in the Construction Executive article written by Joanna Masterson ,a senior writer of Construction Executive.

Simplifying Government Projects Using Standard Contract Documents
Article written by Kenneth W. Cobleigh Esq., AIA Contract Documents Managing Director and Counsel and Susan Van Bell, AIA Contract Documents Director and Associate Counsel that was originally published Buildings’ October 2009 issue that appeared about which documents to use on a “federally funded or insured project”.

Using Standard Contract Documents on Government Projects
Article written by Kenneth W. Cobleigh Esq., AIA Contract Documents Managing Director and Counsel and Susan Van Bell, AIA Contract Documents Director and Associate Counsel that appeared in Construction Executive's February 2010 issue about which documents to use on a “federally funded or insured project”.

Resources

AIA IPD Multi-Party Agreement
Download a free commentary on the new AIA IPD Multi-Party Agreement

Contract Relationship Diagrams
Download a free set of contract relationship diagrams

AIA Contract Documents available for educators
Provide students with unlimited access to over 100 design and construction agreements and forms with a free AIA Contract Documents software license available to educators

2007 Document Comparatives and Commentaries

Knowledge Base Expanded
Knowledge Base was expanded to include 250 frequently asked questions (FAQs) about using AIA Contract Documents software

AIA Contract Documents Reference Material
Information on AIA Contract Document forms and agreements