ALA Contract Documents
Standard agreements for architectural practice, written in plain language and drafted with Husch Blackwell construction-law attorneys. Editable Word files, $75 each.
ALA’s Standard Forms of Agreement are written by architects, for architects. Each one sets out the parties, scope, responsibilities, deliverables, and payment terms in language your client can read without an attorney translating every clause.
Plain language
Owners, consultants, and contractors can read the terms as written.
Written from the architect’s side
Drafted for architectural practice, from sole practitioners to larger firms.
Scope defined up front
Scope, roles, responsibilities, and terms are spelled out before work starts.
Hourly, lump sum, or percentage
Owner/architect agreements come in hourly, lump-sum, and percentage-of-construction versions.
$75 each
Priced per document, and free for Professional, Senior Professional, and Emeritus members.
Free for Professional, Senior Professional, and Emeritus members
Professional, Senior Professional, and Emeritus members download any contract at no charge, as often as they need it. Four contracts at the non-member price cost more than a year of Professional membership, before you count continuing education, CE tracking, and the rest of what ALA delivers.
Join ALA Member downloads ›Backed by leading 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 the ALA contracts.
The ALA contract library
Not sure where to start? Use the two-minute guide: Which contract do I need? ›
Each agreement is an editable Microsoft Word document, ready to tailor to your project. $75 each, and free for Professional, Senior Professional, and Emeritus members, who also get new and revised documents before they are released to the public. Pick a contract below, pay by card, and your Word file downloads right away. Eligible members download any contract free from the member portal.
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.
OA4-2023
Owner/Architect Agreement (Lump Sum)
Full architectural services for a fixed lump-sum fee.
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.
OC3-2023
Owner/Contractor Agreement (Cost Plus Fee)
Cost of the work plus a fee, with no maximum cap.
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.
GC3-2023
General Conditions (Cost Plus Fee)
General conditions for cost-plus work without a cap.
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
CCO-2016
Contract Change Order
Record and price a change to the scope of work during construction.
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.
Each contract checks out on its own, and your Word file downloads as soon as payment goes through. Professional, Senior Professional, or Emeritus member? Download them free in the member portal ›
Need a contract or form we don’t list?
The ALA library keeps growing, and much of it grows because members ask. If your practice needs an agreement or a project form that isn’t here yet, tell us. We can often develop it. Member requests directly shape what ALA publishes next.
ALA@licensedarchitect.orgFrequently asked questions
More guidance on choosing and using ALA contracts is on our Contract Tips & FAQ page ›
What are ALA contracts?
ALA contracts are standard-form agreements for the design and construction industry: owner/architect, owner/contractor, general conditions, architect/consultant, and related project forms. They are written specifically for architects in clear, plain language so every party understands their responsibilities.
How much do ALA contracts cost?
Each document is $75 for non-members. Professional, Senior Professional, and Emeritus members download every contract free, as often as they need. Four contracts at $75 cost more than a year of Professional membership.
Do I get the contract right away?
Yes. Your editable Microsoft Word file downloads as soon as your payment goes through, and the link is emailed to you too. Professional, Senior Professional, and Emeritus members download free from the member portal.
Can I edit ALA contracts for my project?
Absolutely. Every agreement is a Word document built to be tailored. We recommend using Word’s Track Changes so all parties can see exactly what was modified.
How do ALA contracts compare to 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, developed and vetted by leading industry professionals and backed by ALA’s legal partner, Husch Blackwell.
What if I need a contract that isn’t listed?
Email ALA@licensedarchitect.org. Members can request specific contracts or forms, and ALA can often develop them. Member requests shape what we publish next.
Get contracts your clients will actually understand
Buy what you need today, or join ALA as a Professional member and download the entire library free.