Tennessee Business and Law Practice Exam 2025 – Your All-In-One Guide to Exam Success!

The architect plays a crucial role in determining progress and final payments in a construction project due to their specialized knowledge and involvement in the design and oversight process. Typically, the architect will assess the work completed against the project specifications and ensure that it meets the required standards. This assessment is foundational for evaluating work progress and determining the appropriate payment amount due to the contractor.

The architect often acts as an intermediary between the owner and the contractor, providing an objective evaluation that informs payment decisions. Their assessments typically encompass site visits, review of project adherence to plans, and confirmation that construction milestones have been achieved according to the agreed-upon schedule.

In contrast, while the owner ultimately pays for the project, they may not have the technical expertise necessary to accurately appraise work progress. The contractor, while responsible for executing the work and submitting payment applications based on completed milestones, relies on the architect's assessment for validation. Although inspectors may conduct reviews to ensure compliance with codes and regulations, their primary focus is not on financial evaluations related to progress payments but rather on maintaining safety and compliance standards.

Thus, the role of the architect in this context is integral, and their authority to determine progress and final payments reflects their position as a key stakeholder in the successful completion of construction projects.