Construction observation is the heart of the architect's role during construction, and it makes up the largest section of the CE exam. This episode breaks down what construction observation actually means and the critical difference between observation and inspection.

We cover why understanding design intent vs means and methods will save you on exam day and on site. We also walk through construction field reports, evaluating work for conformance, identifying non-conforming work, and the most common observation mistakes that create liability problems.

📝 Key topics covered:

• Observation vs inspection: why the distinction matters

• Design intent vs means and methods

• Construction field reports and AIA G711

• Evaluating construction conformance

• Limits of the architect's authority on site

• Non-conforming work identification

⏱️ Chapters:

(0:00) Introduction

(2:44) The CE Exam Structure

(7:27) What Is Construction Observation?

(14:44) Architect's Role on Site

(18:32) Evaluating Conformance

(22:25) Construction Progress

(25:25) Observation Mistakes

(30:29) How to Study Observation

(35:31) Conclusion

📖 Read the full blog post

📝 Download the FREE 2-page CE study guide

🎯 Get access to all ARE study materials with the ARE 101 Membership

🎯 Join our 10-week ARE Boot Camp

📚 Individual ARE Exam Courses:

• CE 101 (Construction and Evaluation)

• AIA Contracts 101

• CCCA 101 (Construction Contract Administration)

• CDT 101 (Construction Documents Technologist)

• Building Codes 101

• PjM 101 (Project Management)

• PcM 101 (Practice Management)

• PA 101 (Programming and Analysis)

• PPD 101 (Project Planning and Design)

• PDD 101 (Construction Documents and Specs)

• Mechanical Systems 101

Construction submittals are the quality control checkpoint between design intent and what actually gets built. This episode breaks down what submittals are, the different types, and how the entire submittal process works.

We cover shop drawings, product data, samples, mock-ups, and closeout submittals. Then we walk through the full submittal workflow step by step, including the four review actions and why architects stopped using the word "Approved."

📝 Key topics covered:

• What construction submittals are and why they matter

• Types of submittals: shop drawings, product data, samples, and mock-ups

• The step-by-step submittal process from planning through implementation

• The four review actions and why "No Exceptions Taken" replaced "Approved"

• Common submittal problems and how to avoid them

⏱️ Chapters:

(0:00) Introduction

(1:22) What Are Submittals?

(3:18) Types of Submittals

(10:24) The Submittal Process

(17:59) Why Submittals Matter

(20:06) Better Submittal Management

(27:12) Common Problems to Avoid

(31:35) Conclusion and Takeaways

📖 Read the full blog post

📝 Download the FREE Construction Submittals study notes

🎯 Get access to all ARE study materials with the ARE 101 Membership

🎯 Join our 10-week ARE Boot Camp

📚 Individual ARE Exam Courses:

• CE 101 (Construction and Evaluation)

• CDT 101 (Construction Documents Technologist)

• CCCA 101 (Construction Contract Administration)

• PDD 101 (Construction Documents and Specs)

• PjM 101 (Project Management)

• AIA Contracts 101

• PcM 101 (Practice Management)

• PA 101 (Programming and Analysis)

• PPD 101 (Project Planning and Design)

• Building Codes 101

• Mechanical Systems 101

Get exclusive ARE exam prep discounts during our 14-day Summer School promotion! From May 15-29, 2025, save big on ARE Boot Camp, 101 Courses, and more. 

In this episode, Mike and Emily break down all the limited-time offers to help accelerate your journey to architectural licensure. Just Visit - https://youngarchitect.com/summerschool 

We've also completely rebuilt the Young Architect Academy from the ground up, adding tons of new content and features to help you pass your exams faster.

🔗 Links & Resources:

• 📝 Summer School Deals Hub: https://youngarchitect.com/summerschool
• 🏫 ARE Boot Camp Info: https://youngarchitect.com/arebootcamp/
• 💻 ARE 101 Courses: https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/join/ncarb-are-101/
• 📚 CDT 101 Course: https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/join/cdt-101/
• 🎙️ More Podcast Episodes: https://youngarchitect.com/podcast

✅ LIMITED TIME OFFER: All deals run for just 14 days - May 15-29, 2025. No promo codes needed! All discounts automatically apply at checkout.

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Struggling to understand the differences between fire walls, fire barriers, and fire partitions? In this episode, we break down all five fire and smoke separation types in buildings, with clear explanations of their ratings, continuity requirements, and real-world applications. Essential knowledge for the ARE exam and professional practice!

🔗 Links & Resources:

- 📝 Download our FREE 2-page Fire Separations Study Guide: https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/fire-wall-fire-barrier-fire-partition/

- 📚 Building Codes 101 Course: https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/join/ncarb-are-101/

- 🎓 ARE Boot Camp Registration: https://youngarchitect.com/arebootcamp/

Want to master building codes for the ARE exam? Check out our comprehensive Building Codes 101 course with 180+ practice questions and visual guides: https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/join/ncarb-are-101/

If you found this helpful, please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE for more weekly Architect Registration Exam content!

The construction bidding process for public projects is one of the most confusing topics for AEC professionals who've never worked on publicly bid work.

In this episode, we break down the entire procurement journey from completed drawings to breaking ground, step by step.

Michael Riscica shares first-hand experience from both sides of the process, first as an architect on public projects and then as a government project manager responsible for hiring architects, contractors, and engineers.

You'll learn the 8 key stages of the construction bid process, the role of the procurement department, how sealed bidding and bid openings actually work, and why this process takes 2-3 months from finished drawings to construction start.

📝 Key topics covered:

• Design-bid-build delivery method and timeline

• Bid preparation, advertisement, and the pre-bid conference

• Sealed bidding, bid submission, and public bid opening

• Bid tabulation and evaluating the apparent low bidder

• Contract formation, bonds, and notice to proceed

• Common delays and challenges on public projects

⏱️ Chapters:

(0:00) Introduction

(1:41) The Big Picture: Timeline Overview

(5:04) Key Stages of the Process

(6:26) Bid Preparation

(8:00) Advertisement

(9:06) Bidding Period

(11:49) Bid Submission and Opening

(13:12) Evaluating the Bids

(14:27) Contract Formation

(15:41) From Award to Breaking Ground

(16:51) Notice to Proceed (NTP)

(18:35) Common Challenges

(20:30) Conclusion

📖 Read the full blog post and grab your free 2-page study notes: Construction Bidding Process: Navigating Public Projects

📝 Free PDF Study Notes: Download Free Bidding Process Study Notes

🎯 ARE Boot Camp - 10-Week Coaching Program

🎯 ARE 101 Membership - All ARE Study Materials

📚 Individual Courses:

• CE 101 (Construction and Evaluation)

• PcM 101 (Practice Management)

• PjM 101 (Project Management)

• CDT 101 (Construction Documents Technologist)

• CCCA 101 (Construction Contract Administration)

• PDD 101 (Construction Documents and Specs)

• PA 101 (Programming and Analysis)

• PPD 101 (Project Planning and Design)

• AIA Contracts 101

• Building Codes 101

Learn how to get the most out of ARE Bootcamp with this insider's guide to the program.

Michael Riscica and Emily Hobbs break down what makes the Bootcamp different from just studying alone and share key strategies for success. Whether you're just starting your ARE journey or looking to finish what you've started, this conversation reveals why structure, mentorship, accountability, and community make all the difference.

Read the full blogpost for this podcast: https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/unlock-the-power-of-are-bootcamp/

- Join ARE Bootcamp: https://youngarchitect.com/arebootcamp/

- Check out testimonials from over 40 licensed architects: https://youngarchitect.com/testimonials/

Want to transform your ARE journey? Stop trying to piece together your preparation alone. Join a program that's been proven to work time and again. Your future registered architect self will thank you.

QA vs QC is one of the most commonly confused topics in architecture and construction. This episode breaks down the difference between quality assurance and quality control, and how they work together across every phase of a project.

Quality assurance prevents problems. Quality control finds them. We cover how QA/QC works during design, documentation, and construction administration, with a full curtain wall system walkthrough from specification through final installation.

Emily also clarifies who is responsible for what in the quality process, because the ARE loves testing those role boundaries.

📝 Key topics covered:

• QA vs QC: prevention vs detection and why the distinction matters

• How quality management works during design, documentation, and construction

• Roles and responsibilities: architect, owner, and contractor

• Real-world curtain wall QA/QC example from design through closeout

• Where QA/QC shows up on the ARE and CDT exams

⏱️ Chapters:

(0:00) Introduction to QA/QC

(1:27) Understanding the Basics

(6:16) QA/QC During Design Phase

(12:14) QA/QC During Construction Docs

(15:38) QA/QC in Construction Admin

(19:36) Roles and Responsibilities

(24:36) Real-World Curtain Wall Example

(28:44) Exam Tips and Conclusion

📖 Read the full blog post

📝 Download the FREE QA vs QC study notes

🎯 Get access to all ARE study materials with the ARE 101 Membership

🎯 Join our 10-week ARE Boot Camp

📚 Individual ARE Exam Courses:

• PjM 101 (Project Management)

• CE 101 (Construction and Evaluation)

• PDD 101 (Construction Documents and Specs)

• PcM 101 (Practice Management)

• CDT 101 (Construction Documents Technologist)

• CCCA 101 (Construction Contract Administration)

• PA 101 (Programming and Analysis)

• PPD 101 (Project Planning and Design)

• Building Codes 101

• Mechanical Systems 101

• AIA Contracts 101

Construction types are one of the most fundamental building code concepts you need to understand. This episode breaks down all five IBC construction types, from Type I fire-resistive all the way to Type V wood-frame.

We cover how construction types affect building height, area, cost, and material selection. You'll learn the difference between A and B subtypes, why brick veneer doesn't make a building Type III, and how the "five-over-one" podium building works.

📝 Key topics covered:

• All five IBC construction types (I through V) with real-world examples

• How construction type determines allowable height, area, and materials

• The A vs B subtype distinction and what it means for fire protection

• The "five-over-one" podium building trend explained

• Common myths that trip up ARE candidates

⏱️ Chapters:

(0:00) Introduction

(1:40) What are Construction Types?

(3:24) How They Affect Design

(5:46) Tour of Five Construction Types

(5:59) Type I: Fire-Resistive

(8:15) Type II: Non-Combustible

(9:13) Type III: Ordinary

(10:20) Type IV: Heavy Timber

(11:27) Type V: Wood-Frame

(12:40) Understanding A and B Subtypes

(13:49) Real-World Applications

(15:00) Construction Types and Height/Area

(16:17) Common Exam Traps

(17:48) Conclusion

(19:48) Wrap Up

📖 Read the full blog post

📝 Download the FREE Construction Types study notes

🎯 Get access to all ARE study materials with the ARE 101 Membership

🎯 Join our 10-week ARE Boot Camp

📚 Individual ARE Exam Courses:

• Building Codes 101

• PA 101 (Programming and Analysis)

• PPD 101 (Project Planning and Design)

• PDD 101 (Construction Documents and Specs)

• CE 101 (Construction and Evaluation)

• CDT 101 (Construction Documents Technologist)

• CCCA 101 (Construction Contract Administration)

• PcM 101 (Practice Management)

• PjM 101 (Project Management)

• Mechanical Systems 101

• AIA Contracts 101

The construction punch list is one of the most debated topics in the industry, and most people get the biggest question wrong: who actually creates the punch list? Spoiler, it's not the architect.

We start with why you can't understand punch lists without first understanding substantial completion. Using a simple cake analogy, we break down when a project is "done enough" for the owner to move in and what happens the moment that milestone is reached.

Then we get into the real answer: who creates the punch list, why AIA A201 Section 9.8 is crystal clear about it, and walk through the entire process step by step from the contractor's initial notice through final verification, retainage release, and the one-year correction period.

📝 Key Topics Covered:

• Who creates the construction punch list (AIA A201 Section 9.8)

• Substantial completion definition and what triggers at that milestone

• Certificate of substantial completion (AIA G704)

• Step-by-step punch list walkthrough from start to finish

• One-year correction period vs warranties

• Best practices for rolling punch lists and documentation

⏱️ Chapters:

(0:00) Introduction

(0:22) Who Creates the Punch List

(1:23) What Is Substantial Completion

(2:08) Substantial Completion Cake Analogy

(2:34) What Happens at Substantial Completion

(3:23) Contractor Creates the Punch List

(4:14) AIA A201 Section 9.8

(4:51) Certificate of Substantial Completion G704

(5:54) Punch List Walkthrough Step by Step

(7:29) Architect Adds to the Punch List

(8:22) One-Year Correction Period

(9:03) Correction Period vs Warranties

(9:26) Punch List Best Practices

(10:31) Key Takeaways

📖 Read the full blog post and download free study notes: Construction Punch List: Process, Items, and Who Creates It

📝 Download FREE Punch List Study Notes: Free Punch List Notes

🎯 Get access to all ARE Study Materials with the ARE 101 Membership: ARE 101 Membership

🎯 Join the next ARE Boot Camp cohort: ARE Boot Camp

📚 Individual ARE Exam Courses:

• CE 101 (Construction and Evaluation)

• PjM 101 (Project Management)

• AIA Contracts 101

• CDT 101 (Construction Documents Technologist)

• CCCA 101 (Construction Contract Administration)

• PcM 101 (Practice Management)

• PA 101 (Programming and Analysis)

• PPD 101 (Project Planning and Design)

• PDD 101 (Construction Documents and Specs)

• Building Codes 101

• Building Systems 101

Preconstruction is the phase between design completion and construction start, and it's the last chance to control costs before the concrete hits the fan. This episode breaks down CE Section 1 and walks through everything that happens during the preconstruction phase.

We cover how the architect's role changes depending on the project delivery method, how contractors get selected and evaluated, and how value engineering and cost control strategies work before construction begins. We also go through the most common preconstruction study mistakes and how to avoid them on the CE exam.

📝 Key topics covered:

• What preconstruction is and why it sets the tone for the entire project

• How the architect's role shifts across different project delivery methods

• Contractor selection and prequalification criteria

• Value engineering and cost control strategies

• Addenda during the bidding process

• Common CE Section 1 study mistakes

⏱️ Chapters:

(0:00) Introduction

(2:22) Understanding the ARE Structure

(3:27) Construction Evaluation Overview

(7:40) Preconstruction Activities Overview

(10:20) Architect's Roles by Delivery Method

(13:55) Contractor Selection

(18:08) Value Engineering and Cost Control

(22:40) Common Study Mistakes

(28:05) Studying for the CE Exam

(35:10) Conclusion

📖 Read the full blog post

📝 Download the FREE 2-page Preconstruction study guide

🎯 Get access to all ARE study materials with the ARE 101 Membership

🎯 Join our 10-week ARE Boot Camp

📚 Individual ARE Exam Courses:

• CE 101 (Construction and Evaluation)

• AIA Contracts 101

• CDT 101 (Construction Documents Technologist)

• CCCA 101 (Construction Contract Administration)

• PjM 101 (Project Management)

• PcM 101 (Practice Management)

• PA 101 (Programming and Analysis)

• PPD 101 (Project Planning and Design)

• PDD 101 (Construction Documents and Specs)

• Building Codes 101

• Mechanical Systems 101