Masonry Magazine December 1997 Page. 9
The New
AIA
Contract Documents
Aiming to Keep Contractors
out of Court and on the Job
By Thomas J Barfield
Updated AIA
Documents
Released
in October
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) recently published a new edition of its A201 General conditions and related documents. Following three years of active dialog with industry representatives, AIA began distribution of these updated documents in October 1997. The documents were last revised 10 years ago.
The American Subcontractors Association (ASA), acting in concert with Associated Specialty Contractors, (ASC), has been providing a steady stream of proposed improvements to the A201 and to the A401 Subcontract Agreement. Overall, I am well pleased with the new A201 and A401 language. Both documents have retained past protections so helpful to subcontractors and added many new beneficial features. Outlines of significant A201 and A401 changes are shown on page 13.
The A201 has long been accepted as the "Rules of the Road" for construction contracts because of its fairness to all parties. It is an integral part of most private sector construction contract documents. The A201's influence extends as well to public contract terms where equity between the parties is desired. It represents an excellent guide for subcontractors to use in dealing with onerous private general contractor forms because A201 reflects current prevailing industry practices.
The new A401 subcontract also contains many improvements urged by ASA and ASC. Both organizations strongly endorse use of the A401 by its members. All told, some four
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