IIe is not to be responsible for such items as whether or not liability for liens exists, or for such other matters of business detail as do not require the technical training for architectural practice.
As the Architect must depend on the clear requirements of the drawings and specifications for his authority in exercising his duties, it is desirable that all questions which may arise be fully settled therein, so far as practicable, before the submission of bids. There fore all parties who propose to submit bids should, in writing, call attention to any points which in their judgment are not fully explain ed by the drawings and specifications, at least six days before that set for receipt of proposals; and such questions, with the replies thereto, will be forwarded to each prospective bidder; and the failure of any bidder to ask for such supplementary information will be construed, after the award of the contract, as barring him from demurring from any ruling which in the opinion of the Architect is justified by the contract requirements. In any questions of a technical character which may arise between the Owner and Con tractor, the Owner will be governed by the decision of the Architect.
Payments. Before beginning the work, the Contractor, if he so desires, can prepare for the Architect a statement showing the order in which he will proceed with the construction of the and a schedule of the quantities of all items entering into the work, with the value of each in place—the total of such values to be the contract price. If, in the judgment of the Architect, this schedule is perfectly fair, it will be adopted as a basis of the monthly estimate of the value of the work satisfactorily in place; and on he 3rd day of each month, the Owner will pay on the contract price 90 per cent of the value of the materials satisfactorily in place on the 1st, as determined by the schedule; but in these estimates, no account will, under any circumstances, be taken of the value of materials not finally incorporated in the building.
If, however, the Contractor does not elect to prepare such a schedule, or prepares a schedule evidently not fair to the Owner, then the Owner will pay to the Contractor on the 3rd of each month 90 per cent of the value of the materials satisfactorily in place, as determined by the Architect's estimate; and in determining the value, the Architect is to be governed by the total contract price, so that at all times there will be reserved by the Owner sufficient funds to complete the building, in case of default on the part of the Con tractor, at usual market rates, and in addition 10 per cent.
Time. The time limit for the completion of the work will be nine months from the date of award of contract; and it will be a condition of the contract, that there will be deducted from the final payment the sum of fifteen dollars as liquidated damages for each day's delay after the expiration of such period, until the final accept ance of the work by the Architect and its delivery to the Owner.
The Site. Put a tight board fence 5 feet high, with three 2-inch by 4-inch rails, and with 4-inch by 4-inch posts set 6 feet on centers which will protect adjoining property from encroachments during building operations.
On the street side, and in front of the spot to be occupied by the building on the Avenue, enclose such portion of the roadway as is permitted by the City building ordinance to be used in building operations, with such fence—also place such walks—as are required by such ordinance.
On the site is one oak tree, and in the street two elm trees. These are to be protected by tree boxes of 2-inch plank and 2-inch by 4-inch cleats, with such holes cut on sides as will permit a full circulation of air about the trunk; and under no circumstances are any guy ropes to be secured to, or allowed to interfere with, any portion of the trees.
There will be no attempt to save any of the sod or shrubs now on the site, and the Contractor will be allowed all the space for piling material, etc.
Excavation. Four test-pits have been dug to a point 1 foot below the bottom of all footings; and bidders should visit the site and examine the conditions. The black soil which constitutes the top stratum is all to be piled on the lot wherever the Contractor desires, so long as it is not against the oak tree. Below the black soil is a stratum of sand which is satisfactory for concrete and cement mortar; below this is coarse gravel which may be used for concrete, provided all stones which will not pass through a 2-ineh ring are cracked to such size. Any other material to be taken from the exca vation is worthless, and must be hauled away.
The excavation is to be carried on so that different strata will be kept in separate piles. Any materials mixed so as to make it undesirable in the opinion of the Architect to use them for the pur poses above designated, are to be hauled away.
The curbstone in place is to be protected so that there will be no settlement or shifting before the supporting wall is completed, by sheet piling driven clown just back of the inside of curb line.
The other sides of the excavations will be sloped enough to prevent caving.
The excavation will not go below the party wall of adjoining building.
All excavation for footings must be complete before any footings are placed.
Backfilling. After all foundation walls are completed and thoroughly set, backfilling is to be done with sand or gravel.
Sewer and Water Connections. The sewer and water have already been brought on to the site. The sewer terminates at a brick manhole, 3 feet 6 inches inside diameter, with iron cover at grade about 5 feet from the side line of the building; and temporary connections with this manhole are to be made, so that there shall be at no time any standing water in the excavation, should it develop that the gravel is a water-bearing stratum.
The water connections will be encountered in making the wall at the curb line, about 4 feet below grade.