Who is typically responsible for providing contract forms and general conditions?

The responsibility for providing contract forms and general conditions typically falls to the owner. This is because the owner sets the parameters for the project and establishes the contractual framework that governs the relationship among all parties involved, including the contractor, architect, and any other stakeholders. By supplying these documents, the owner ensures that their requirements and expectations are clearly outlined and legally documented.

These documents typically include important terms around scope, payment, timelines, and legalities, which serve as the foundation for the project's execution. While other parties, such as architects or engineers, may contribute to the content of these documents or draft certain sections based on the scope of their services, it is ultimately the owner's responsibility to ensure that the contract forms and general conditions reflect their interests and comply with relevant legal standards.

The involvement of the architect/engineer generally pertains to the design and construction details rather than the overarching legal framework established by the owner. Building officials are concerned with code compliance and inspections rather than contract documentation, and contractors focus on executing the work rather than creating the contractual basis for that work.