Question

1. If an inspector discovers that the work of a subcontractor is deficient, he or she should direct the subcontractor to make the necessary corrections, then tell the general contractor what was done. A. True B. False 2. An inspector should always try to get the contractor to give the owner the highest quality materials and workmanship, regardless of what the specifications call for. A. True B. False 3. On grant-funded projects and public works projects in states requiring the specifier to allow or equal products, if the specifier lists two or more brand name products, he or she does not have to add the words "or equal." A. True B. False As a means of minimizing conflicts between the inspector and the contractor, it is better to set absolute dimensions rather that an allowable range, so that the inspector has a specific value to enforce. A. True B. False 5. A Change Order can be issued any time after execution of the Agreement. A. True B. False

Answer 1

Answer 1)

FALSE.

In any construction project, one has to follow the hierarchy of the organization to percolate any information. So, ideally, the inspector should first let the general contractor know about it and then the general contractor can tell the subcontractor about the corrections.

Refer the below figure to understand better. The inspector falls under the category of client representative/project manager. So, the information has to pass through the contractor to the subcontractor.

Answer 2)

FALSE

Specifications of a work are required to describe the quality and quantity of different materials required for a construction work and is one of the essential contract documents. Thus a contractor can make a programme to procure the materials required for a project and the owner can check the quality of materials conforming to the specifications.
This also specifies the workmanship and the method of doing work. Thus, specification of a work serves as a guide to the supervising staff of the contractor as well as to the owner to execute the work to their satisfaction.
A work is carried out according to it's specification and the contractor is paid for the same .Any change in specification tends to change the tendered rate.

Answer 3)

FALSE

When the specifications permit "or equal" substitutions, the contractor is entitled to make a substitution of materials or equipment which is equivalent or equal to the equipment or materials specified in the contract. If the design professional rejects the contractor's substitution of materials or equipment which are less expensive but equal and directs the contractor to install more expensive equipment, then a constructive change has occurred and the contractor is entitled to recover the cost difference between the less expensive product and the product which he was directed to install plus a reasonable profit.

Answer 4)

FALSE

In the construction industry, there are conventional industry tolerances enforced by the contract by default. SInce, during construction, it is a very common case to have fluctuations in dimension due to various factors such as unskilled labour, poor workmanship, weather conditions, quality of the materials etc. So, it is important to have an allowable range of the dimensions.

Answer 5)

TRUE

A contract change happens when an event or condition modifies the work as defined in the contract documents. Changes may include (i) additions to or deletions from the work to be completed; (ii) changes in the materials specified; (iii) corrections in the specifications or drawings; (iv) acts or omissions of other contractors or trades; (v) departures from the contract schedule; (vi) changes in the sequence in which work activities are to be performed; and (vii) changes in performance resulting from construction conditions.

There is a separate clause for change orders that is mentioned in the contract. And they can be issued anytime during the contract period till the en date.