A contractor is permitted to incorporate design changes under what condition?

A contractor is permitted to incorporate design changes under what condition?

• A. Upon receipt in writing, signed by the engineer of record.
• B. After the owner approves a change order in writing.
• C. After a field inspection confirms the change is necessary.
• D. After the contractor completes a formal cost estimate.

Answer: (A)

The main rule here is that design changes must be formally authorized in writing by the engineer of record. The contractor can proceed with a design change only when they have a written directive that is signed by the engineer of record. This ensures that any modification aligns with the design intent, code requirements, and contract terms, and it clearly documents who approved the change and what is expected in scope, cost, and schedule. Why the other ideas don’t fit: owner-approved change orders may authorize changes, but the design change itself needs the engineer’s written instruction to be valid and traceable. A field inspection confirming the change is needed doesn’t authorize altering the design. A formal cost estimate without an accompanying approved instruction also doesn’t grant permission to implement the change.

The main rule here is that design changes must be formally authorized in writing by the engineer of record. The contractor can proceed with a design change only when they have a written directive that is signed by the engineer of record. This ensures that any modification aligns with the design intent, code requirements, and contract terms, and it clearly documents who approved the change and what is expected in scope, cost, and schedule.

Why the other ideas don’t fit: owner-approved change orders may authorize changes, but the design change itself needs the engineer’s written instruction to be valid and traceable. A field inspection confirming the change is needed doesn’t authorize altering the design. A formal cost estimate without an accompanying approved instruction also doesn’t grant permission to implement the change.