Section 4 of the ExAC tests heavily on CCDC contracts: which one fits which delivery method, what each one is for, who holds the trade contracts, and how the General Conditions actually function. Most candidates rate Section 4 the hardest section of the exam, and the CCDC suite is the largest reason why.
This is a one-page cheat sheet of every CCDC document tested on the ExAC, with a one-line memory hook for each. Use it as a final-week review reference, not as a substitute for reading the documents themselves.
The full CCDC suite at a glance
| CCDC | Document | Delivery | Price basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| CCDC 2 | Stipulated Price Contract | Design-Bid-Build | Fixed lump sum |
| CCDC 3 | Cost Plus Contract | Negotiated / Emergency | Actual costs + fee |
| CCDC 4 | Unit Price Contract | Civil / Tendered | Unit rates × measured quantities |
| CCDC 5A | CM: Services Only (Agency) | CM Agency | CM fee; Owner holds trades |
| CCDC 5B | CM: Services and Construction | CM at Risk | CM fee + construction (often GMP) |
| CCDC 14 | Design-Build Stipulated Price | Design-Build | Fixed lump sum (DB) |
| CCDC 15 | Design-Build Cost-Plus | Design-Build | Actual costs + fee (DB) |
| CCDC 17 | Stipulated Price for Trade Contractors | CM / Multi-prime | Fixed lump sum (trade) |
| CCDC 23 | Guide to Calling Bids and Awarding Contracts | Design-Bid-Build | N/A: process guide |
| CCDC 30 | Integrated Project Delivery | IPD | Target cost; shared risk/reward |
| CCDC 40 | Rules for Mediation and Arbitration | All | N/A: dispute resolution |
| CCDC 41 | Insurance Requirements | All | N/A: insurance schedule |
One-line memory hooks
- CCDC 2: Two parties, fixed price. The default for Design-Bid-Build with complete documents.
- CCDC 3: Three unknowns (cost plus). Emergency, restoration, hidden conditions.
- CCDC 4: Four units (unit price). Civil work where quantities are uncertain.
- CCDC 5A: Advisory only. CM advises; Owner holds trades. Sophisticated owner.
- CCDC 5B: Both management and Building. CM holds trades. Fast-track, single point.
- CCDC 14: Design-Build Fixed. Repetitive types, well-defined RFP.
- CCDC 15: Design-Build cost plus. DB where scope still moving.
- CCDC 23: Bidding guide. Two contracts (A and B), duty of fairness.
- CCDC 30: Three-way (multi-party IPD). Shared risk and reward.
- CCDC 40: Forty disputes (mediation/arbitration rules).
- CCDC 41: Forty-one insurances ($5M GL standard).
Which contract for which delivery method
ExAC scenario questions almost always describe a project situation and ask you to identify the correct delivery method and CCDC document. The decision hinges on a few key variables: schedule urgency, scope definability, owner sophistication, and whether the project is publicly funded.
Design-Bid-Build → CCDC 2
Default for fixed budget, defined program, no schedule urgency, public competitive tendering required. Most complete design resolution before construction; lowest risk from design changes. When in doubt on a "standard project with public funds," the answer is almost always Design-Bid-Build with CCDC 2.
Design-Build → CCDC 14 or CCDC 15
Repetitive project types (chain stores, schools, warehouses) where the Owner's program is reducible to an RFP. Single-point responsibility, faster overall schedule, but the architect is sub-contracted to the Design-Builder; owner loses independent design oversight. Use CCDC 14 when scope supports a fixed price; CCDC 15 when scope is still evolving.
Construction Management → CCDC 5A or 5B
The CM joins the team early to advise on schedule, cost, and constructability. Choose between 5A and 5B based on who holds the trade contracts:
- 5A: Owner holds trade contracts. CM advises only. Sophisticated owner who wants direct trade relationships and maximum transparency. CM bears no construction risk.
- 5B: CM holds trade contracts. Single point of accountability for the Owner. Fast-track scheduling. Often paired with a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) once Design Development is sufficiently advanced.
Cost Plus → CCDC 3
Emergency stabilization, heritage restoration, or other situations where the scope of work is genuinely unknowable in advance. Three variants: Fixed Fee (no incentive to inflate cost), Percentage Fee (creates incentive to inflate; use with caution), and Cost-Plus with GMP/Upset Price (most common; caps total cost).
Unit Price → CCDC 4
Civil engineering and site work: roads, grading, underground utilities, where the type of work is well-defined but quantities are uncertain until excavation. Final contract amount determined by measured quantities verified by an independent inspector.
Integrated Project Delivery → CCDC 30
Large, complex, BIM-intensive projects where Owner, Architect, and key trade contractors collaborate from early design through completion. Shared Target Cost; if delivered below, all parties share savings; if above, all parties share losses up to a defined limit. Requires genuine trust and willingness to collaborate; IPD with adversarial parties fails.
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Open the Theme 9 free chapter →The bonds you must know
| Bond | Guarantees | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bid Bond | If accepted, the Contractor will sign the formal contract. Surety pays the difference between the bid and the next-lowest if Contractor fails to sign. | 5–10% of estimated construction cost |
| Performance Bond | Indemnifies Owner if Contractor defaults. Covers additional cost beyond the agreed contract amount. | 50% or 100% of contract amount |
| Labour & Material Payment Bond | Sub-contractors and suppliers with direct ties to the Contractor will be paid for labour and materials. | Typically 50% of contract amount |
Memory hook: Bid = "Before" (you'll sign). Performance = "During" (you'll finish). L&M = "Under" (those below you get paid).
Critical CCDC 2 numbers to memorize
- 15% rule: If the lowest compliant bid exceeds the latest approved estimate by more than 15%, the Architect must re-tender at no additional fee (RAIC Document 6 obligation).
- 5 Working Days: Notice in writing of concealed conditions (GC 6.4); also the cure period for default (GC 7.1).
- 10 Working Days: Notice of delay claim (GC 6.5).
- 10 Calendar Days: Consultant issues payment certificate after receiving Contractor's application (GC 5.3).
- 20 Calendar Days: Owner pays Contractor after the later of receipt of application or end of payment period (GC 5.3.1.3).
- 1 year: Standard warranty from Substantial Performance (GC 12.3).
- $5M: Standard General Liability per occurrence (CCDC 41).
Priority of Documents (GC 1.1.7): memorize this order
In case of conflict, from highest to lowest priority:
- Agreement
- Definitions
- Supplementary Conditions
- General Conditions
- Division 1 Specifications
- Technical Specifications
- Material/Finishing Schedules
- Drawings
Within the same type, later-dated documents take precedence over earlier ones. Larger-scale drawings govern over smaller-scale drawings of the same date.