AIA Releases Updated Interiors Contract Documents

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is releasing six updated contract documents designed for interior construction projects.

The new interior contract documents will allow architects to better understand risks and responsibilities associated with designing building interiors. Additionally, they support management of vendors—for furniture, fixtures and equipment—and contractors.

“This latest set of interior contracts is an important step toward modernizing AIA’s offerings for interior and furniture design projects,” said AIA Contract Documents Manager & Counsel Mike Koger, AIA, Esq, “Our goal is to provide fair and balanced documents that can help all parties achieve their goals for design and construction projects.”

A main benefit to the new suite of interior contracts is their use goes beyond commercial projects, to include residential, retail, entertainment and hospitality. One of the most notable changes is the new B254-2019, Standard Form of Architect’s Services: Purchasing Agent Services for Furniture, Furnishings, & Equipment (FF&E) contract, which allows architects the option to purchase FF&E on behalf of an owner.

Another significant update can be found in the modernized interiors owner/vendor agreements. AIA merged contracts A151-2007 and A251-2007 into one document, resulting in the revised A151-2019, Owner/Vendor for Furniture, Furnishings, and Equipment (FF&E). This new document is easier to understand and lists all vendor obligations in a single contract.

New interior documents include the following:

A151-2019, Standard Form of Agreement between Owner and Vendor for Furniture, Furnishings, and Equipment (FF&E);

A751-2019, Invitation and Instructions for Quotation for Furniture, Furnishings and Equipment (FF&E);

B152-2019, Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Architect for Interior Design and Furniture, Furnishings, and Equipment (FF&E) Design Services;

B252-2019, Standard Form of Architect’s Services: Interior Design and Furniture, Furnishings, and Equipment (FF&E) Design Services;

B253-2019, Standard Form of Architect’s Services: Furniture, Furnishings, and Equipment (FF&E) Design Services; and

B254-2019, Standard Form of Architect’s Services: Purchasing Agent Services for Furniture, Furnishings, & Equipment (FF&E).

AIA will provide a free webinar, Modernizing the AIA Interiors Documents Family, on the new interior documents from 2-3 p.m. ET on Tuesday, June 18. Registration for the webinar is required.

The revised 2019 interior contract documents are currently available on AIA Contract Document’s website.  AIA documents can be purchased with an unlimited-use annual license or as a single, customizable document. AIA contract documents are also available as single, non-editable documents and as paper versions through some AIA chapters. Visit aiacontracts.org for more information.

About AIA Contract Documents

AIA Contract Documents are the nearly 200 forms and contracts that define the relationships and terms involved in design and construction projects. Prepared by the AIA with the consensus of owners, contractors, attorneys, architects, engineers, and others, the documents have been finely tuned during their 131-year history. As a result, these comprehensive contracts and forms are now widely recognized as the industry standard. Used by all industry professionals, including architects, contractors, owners, consultants, and attorneys, AIA Contract Documents are organized into two categories: by families, based on types of projects or particular project delivery methods, and by series, based on the parties to the agreement or the use of the form. Visit aiacontracts.org.

About AIA Documents Committee

Since its inception in 1887, the AIA Documents Committee has been an AIA committee dedicated to creating and revising AIA Contract Documents. Qualified applicants for the AIA Documents Committee are licensed architects and members of the AIA actively engaged in the design and construction industry through employment in architectural firms or construction companies, or for building owners or developers. New members are appointed to maintain a balance of viewpoints based on diversity, including geography, firm size, practice type, and area of expertise.

About AIA

Founded in 1857, AIA consistently works to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings, neighborhoods, and communities. Through more than 200 international, state and local chapters, AIA advocates for public policies that promote economic vitality and public wellbeing.

AIA provides members with tools and resources to assist them in their careers and business as well as engaging civic and government leaders and the public to find solutions to pressing issues facing our communities, institutions, nation, and world. Members adhere to a code of ethics and conduct to ensure the highest professional standards.