Architect's Authority to Order Minor Changes during Construction

摘要

Contractors generally accept that minor changes in the work will probably have to be made during construction even with the best of drawings and specifications. Some refining adjustments must generally be made to smooth out imperfections in the documents or the construction. When it is done properly, most contractors find this to be only a trivial inconvenience. Architects are concerned that the contract documents be faithfully executed and that unconsidered deviations initiated by others do not escape the architect's oversight and control. Even though the owner has ultimate authority, architects are understandably uncomfortable with the concept of an Owner making even minor changes in the contract or design directly with the contractor without the architect's involvement. Some, usually neophyte, owners might not realize that the architect's administration of the contract and guardianship of the integrity of the design concept could be quickly reduced to a state of confusion, inefficiency, and ineffectiveness.