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What Concerns Architects About Added Contingency in Mechanical System Costs?
Understand why architects question extra contingency in construction cost estimates. Learn how design clarity and coordination between disciplines impact mechanical system contingency allowances.
Question
An architect reviewing your estimate asks why you allocated extra contingency to mechanical systems. What is this architect most likely concerned about?
A. The estimator’s productivity assumptions.
B. Design clarity and coordination between disciplines.
C. The owner’s budget approval timeline.
D. Whether subcontractors will respond to the bid invitation.
Answer
B. Design clarity and coordination between disciplines.
Explanation
Architects focus on how design intent translates into scope and cost, they’re sensitive to design clarity, coordination, and alignment with drawings.
When an architect questions additional contingency in mechanical systems, the primary concern is the level of design completeness and coordination between architectural, mechanical, electrical, and structural elements. Extra contingency often signals uncertainty in design details or potential conflicts across drawings and specifications.
Architects aim to ensure that the estimate accurately reflects the intended design scope without unnecessary cost inflation. Their focus lies in aligning design intent with pricing, confirming that assumptions made by the estimator stem from genuine design uncertainties rather than arbitrary allowances. This supports clearer communication between design and estimating teams and strengthens project cost reliability.
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