In the contract, the term 'owner' means which of the following?

• A. The owner's representative
• B. The architect
• C. The contractor
• D. The owner's agent

Answer: (A)

The important idea here is that some contract terms are defined by the agreement, and not just by everyday language. In this contract, the term “owner” is a defined role that the owner designates to act on its behalf for contract administration. That means the person or entity the owner has named as their representative can exercise the owner’s rights and responsibilities under the contract, such as reviewing submittals, issuing instructions, approving changes, and signing or approving payments. Because the contract is specific about who can make decisions and take action, identifying the owner as the owner’s representative clarifies who actually has authority in day-to-day administration of the project. So, when you see “owner” in this document, it refers to the owner’s representative who is empowered to act for the owner in carrying out the contract.