Contract Documents, in Architectural terms, are the written and graphic Project exhibits deemed necessary by the professional design team to define a contract between a Client or Owner and the party offering to construct the Project. Contract documents for a Project intended for human occupancy may be produced by a registered Architect and the Architect’s designated professional consultants. Such a team may be comprised of, in addition to the Architect, a:
- Land Surveyor,
- Environmental Surveyor,
- Geophysical (Soils) Engineer,
- Structural Engineer and Truss Engineer,
- Mechanical Engineer (for Heating, Cooling and Ventilation Systems),
- Plumbing Engineer,
- Electrical Engineer,
- Landscape Architect
Other specialty experts may be consulted, if necessary, including those versed in Energy Efficiency, Air Quality, Acoustical Properties, Life Cycle Costing, Fire Sprinkler Design, Site Lighting, Interior Design, Commercial Kitchen Design, Commercial Range Hood Design, Historical Preservation and Marketing.
The Contract Documents for a traditional Design/Bid/Build Project include:
- Drawings;
- Specifications;
- Invitation to Bid;
- Instructions to Bidders;
- Bid Form(s);
- Owner/Builder Contract Forms, and
- General Conditions of the Contract
The Drawings associated with the Contract Documents may be utilized as Bidding Documents and Permitting Documents. Later, if kept current with any Project changes during the construction phase of work, they may be appropriate for As-Built Drawings and reference for Project Maintenance.