Who must address issues with unusual site conditions before work continues?

• A. The owner
• B. The architect
• C. The contractor
• D. The building official

Answer: (A)

When unusual site conditions arise, the authority to decide how to proceed rests with the owner, typically acting through the architect as the owner's representative. The contractor is required to promptly report the conditions to the architect and owner, and then the owner must authorize any changes in scope, cost, or schedule before work tied to those conditions continues. The architect can evaluate options and prepare changes, but they do not unilaterally approve adjustments—the owner must issue a change order or directive. The building official enforces code compliance, not contract modifications, so they do not determine how to handle the condition.