In Plain English
Quick Answer
The standard rules that govern how an owner, contractor, and architect work together on a construction project.
Definition
Definition
The general conditions of the contract are the standard contractual provisions that establish the basic rights, responsibilities, and relationships between the owner, contractor, and architect. AIA Document A201 is the most widely used set of general conditions in the United States. They cover topics including the architect's role, changes, payments, time, and dispute resolution.
Context
Why It Matters in Bidding
The general conditions of the contract define the legal framework every bidder is pricing against, so estimators and PMs must read them to understand payment timing, change procedures, and risk allocation that affect cash flow and exposure. Supplementary conditions frequently modify the standard AIA A201 language, and overlooking those edits can mean bidding a risk the team did not intend to accept.
Example
Example
Before bidding, the PM compares the project's supplementary conditions against AIA A201 and flags a modified payment clause stretching the payment cycle to 45 days, prompting the estimator to add carrying cost.
See Also
Related Terms
FAQ
Questions Contractors Ask
What is the difference between general conditions of the contract and supplementary conditions?
General conditions are the standard, reusable provisions such as AIA A201. Supplementary conditions are project-specific amendments that add to or modify those standard terms. Where the two conflict, the supplementary conditions usually govern, so estimators must read both together to understand the actual risk and obligations being bid.
Why should an estimator read the general conditions of the contract before bidding?
These provisions govern payment timing, retainage, change order pricing, dispute resolution, and indemnity, all of which affect cost and cash flow. Onerous terms, such as no-damages-for-delay clauses or extended payment cycles, may justify pricing contingency or qualifying the bid. Pricing without reading them invites unrecoverable risk.
Are the contractual general conditions the same as general conditions costs in a bid?
No, despite the shared name. The contractual general conditions are legal provisions governing the parties' relationship. General conditions costs are the project overhead dollars in a bid, like supervision and the trailer. One is a legal document section, the other a cost estimating category; confusing them causes miscommunication during buyout.
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