ALA Contract Documents
Contracts written from the architect’s side.
Plain-language agreements for design and construction, drafted with the construction-law attorneys at Husch Blackwell. Editable Word files, $75 each, and free for Professional, Senior Professional, and Emeritus members.
- $75 eachOne price for every document. No subscription.
- Download at onceThe Word file is yours as soon as the card clears.
- No accountName, email, card. Nothing to sign up for.
- Free for membersProfessional, Senior Professional, and Emeritus.
Start here
Which ALA contract do I need?
Find your situation. The documents that fit are linked beside it.
A client wants studies or programming before committing to design
Pre-Design Services Agreement. Hourly or lump sum, so early thinking is paid work.
You are being hired to design a project
Owner/Architect Agreement. Hourly, lump sum, or a percentage of construction cost, to match your fee.
Your client needs a construction contract with the builder
Owner/Contractor Agreement with its General Conditions. Lump sum for a fixed price, cost plus with GMP for open book with a ceiling, cost plus fee for full transparency. Each pairs with the General Conditions of the same kind.
You are bringing an engineer or consultant onto your team
Architect/Consultant Agreement. One general version and one each for electrical, mechanical, and structural engineers.
The project is small and a full contract feels heavy
Terms and Conditions. Attach to your fee letter and it becomes a real agreement. One version for owners, one for consultants.
Construction is underway and things are changing
Project forms. Change order, monthly application for payment, and the certificate of substantial completion at the finish.
The library
Every ALA contract and form
Each one is an editable Microsoft Word document. Buy the one you need, or download them all free as a Professional, Senior Professional or Emeritus member.
No contract matches that. Clear the search, or tell us what you need at ALA@licensedarchitect.org.
Owner / Architect Agreements
OA1-2023
Pre-Design Services Agreement (Hourly)
Feasibility and pre-design work before the project is fully defined, billed by the hour.
OA2-2023
Pre-Design Services Agreement (Lump Sum)
Feasibility and pre-design work for a fixed, agreed fee.
OA3-2023
Owner/Architect Agreement (Hourly)
Full architectural services, compensated on an hourly basis.
OA5-2023
Owner/Architect Agreement (Percentage of Construction Cost)
Full architectural services, with the fee set as a percentage of construction cost.
Owner / Contractor Agreements
OC1-2023
Owner/Contractor Agreement (Lump Sum)
Owner-and-contractor agreement for a fixed construction price.
OC2-2023
Owner/Contractor Agreement (Cost Plus Fee with GMP)
Cost of the work plus a fee, capped by a guaranteed maximum price.
Construction Contract General Conditions
GC1-2023
General Conditions (Lump Sum)
The general conditions that pair with a lump-sum owner/contractor agreement.
GC2-2023
General Conditions (Cost Plus Fee with GMP)
General conditions for cost-plus work with a guaranteed maximum price.
Architect / Consultant Agreements
AC-2023
Architect/Consultant Agreement (Lump Sum)
The architect’s agreement with any sub-consultant, for a fixed fee.
AEEC-2023
Architect/Electrical Engineering Consultant
The consultant agreement tailored for electrical engineers.
AMEC-2023
Architect/Mechanical Engineering Consultant
The consultant agreement tailored for mechanical engineers.
ASEC-2023
Architect/Structural Engineering Consultant
The consultant agreement tailored for structural engineers.
Terms & Conditions
TC-AC-2020
Terms and Conditions, Architect/Consultant
Standard terms and conditions that accompany the Architect/Consultant agreements.
TC-OA-2020
Terms and Conditions, Architect/Owner
Standard terms and conditions that accompany the Owner/Architect agreements.
Project Forms & Certificates
CCAP-2020
Contractor’s Certified Application for Payment
The contractor’s certified request for payment on a project.
ALA-SC-2024
Certificate of Substantial Completion
Certify the date a project reaches substantial completion.
Members download every contract free
Professional, Senior Professional, and Emeritus members sign in and download any document as often as they need it. Four contracts at $75 cost more than a year of Professional membership, before you count continuing education and CE tracking.
Drafted with construction-law counsel
ALA’s legal partner is Husch Blackwell, whose construction practice is nationally ranked. ALA thanks Joshua Levy, partner, co-chair of the firm’s Construction & Design practice and founder of its Construction Academy, and his team for their work on these documents.
ALA contracts are templates, not legal advice. Have your attorney review any agreement before you sign it.
Need one we do not list?
The library grows because members ask. If your practice needs an agreement or a project form that is not here, tell us and we can often develop it.
Questions
Common questions about ALA contracts
What are ALA contract documents?
ALA contract documents are standard-form agreements for design and construction: owner and architect, owner and contractor, general conditions, architect and consultant, short-form terms and conditions, and project forms. They are written for architects in plain language and drafted with the construction-law attorneys at Husch Blackwell.
How much does an ALA contract cost?
Each document is $75. Professional, Senior Professional, and Emeritus members of ALA download every contract free, as often as they need.
How do I get the contract after I pay?
The editable Microsoft Word file downloads as soon as the card payment goes through. The same download link is emailed to you with your receipt and works for a year.
Do I need to be an ALA member or create an account to buy?
No. Anyone can buy a single contract with a name, an email address, and a card. There is no account and no password.
Can I edit an ALA contract for my project?
Yes. Every agreement is a Word document built to be tailored. Use Track Changes so every party can see what was modified, and have your attorney review the final agreement before you sign.
Which ALA contract do I need?
Match the document to the relationship. Use an Owner/Architect Agreement when you are hired to design, a Pre-Design Services Agreement for studies before design, an Owner/Contractor Agreement with its General Conditions for construction, an Architect/Consultant Agreement for your engineers, and the short Terms and Conditions for small projects.
How do ALA contracts compare with other industry standard forms?
ALA agreements cover the same core relationships as other industry-standard documents, in plainer language and at a fraction of the cost. They are written from the architect’s side, sold as editable Word files, and priced per document with no subscription.
Are ALA contracts valid in my state?
ALA contracts are standard forms for use across the United States. Laws on liens, indemnity, and licensing differ by state, so have an attorney licensed in the project’s state review the agreement before you sign.
What if I need a contract or form that is not listed?
Write to ALA@licensedarchitect.org. Member requests shape what ALA publishes next, and ALA can often develop the document you need.