CSI Blog

It is widely known and accepted among design professionals and specifiers that construction contracts typically confer on the contractor responsibility for construction means, methods, procedures, techniques, and sequences, together with responsibility for construction site safety and protection, and complying with the contract documents. These are often regarded as among the contractor’s most important obligations. Despite this, owners, design professionals, and specifiers routinely incorporate language into construction contracts and specifications that muddles the waters of contractual responsibility for controlling the work, safety, protection of property, ...

CSI volunteers have a remarkable role in helping our organization make an impact in the AECO industry. Whether at the local, regional, or national level, volunteers are catalysts for ensuring we have meaningful networks and tools to deliver better projects. April is National Volunteer Month, and we want to thank everyone who gives their time and energy to make CSI stronger! There can be a lot of reasons someone chooses to become a CSI volunteer, so we asked a few to share why they give their time to CSI. Chaitanya Korra, CSI, CDT ® Senior Design Manager Chaitanya serves as a CSI Education Committee member and editor of the ...

The CSI Board of Directors is dedicated to understanding the needs of our CSI community and ensuring that we maintain an organization that keeps CSI relevant while providing tools for you to be effective in the AECO Industry. When we do that well, I believe we are curating a CSI that builds up ourselves and the profession so we can all reach our full potential. I want to highlight a few ways CSI is working to fulfill that mission . At our recent Winter meeting, the board discussed ways to strengthen our volunteer leadership ...

In the first half of 2025, news in the United States and around the world was filled with stories regarding new and retaliatory tariffs imposed by various national governments. A number of such tariffs, such as those regarding imported steel and aluminum, are likely to have a substantial effect on construction, whether projects currently in progress or those expected to enter construction in the coming years. This article addresses how standard construction contracts in widespread use in the United States address the changing landscape of tariffs. What are Tariffs? Black’s Law Dictionary, Tenth Edition (2014) defines the following: “ ...

The decision to earn a professional certification isn’t just tactical, it can also be transformative. For Michelle Bailey, attaining CSI’s Certified Construction Contract Administrator (CCCA®) designation not only deepened her contract management expertise but it also elevated her ability to navigate complex projects with confidence. In this Q&A, Michelle shares her journey—from her decision to work in the architecture, engineering, construction, and owner (AECO) industry to the strategies she used to prepare for the rigorous CCCA exam. She also discusses how earning the certification has refined her approach to project delivery and administering construction ...

Have you ever felt like you’re ready to take on more? Amanda MacRitchie says she knows that feeling. She had plenty of experience in the construction industry and was ready when the opportunity came her way to take on more project work and responsibilities. That's why she decided to earn a Certified Construction Contract Administrator (CCCA®) certification. It was a game-changer. Amanda studied hard, even attending a boot camp and getting tips from others in the field. The hard work paid off! Earning her CCCA certification has made her job so much easier, she says. Now, Amanda can see the big picture of a project and spot potential problems early on. ...

So, you're thinking about getting your CDT® certification? It's a big step, but definitely worth it! We recently talked to Dylan Hopkins, who passed the CDT exam in the spring of 2024, and he shared some great advice. Dylan works in construction management and loves seeing how projects come together. Now that Dylan is CDT certified, he says he feels much more confident reading and understanding all those important construction documents. And he feels it's helpful for everyone in the construction world. Tell us about your career and why you chose to work in this industry. And why earn a CDT certification? I am in construction management ...

In resolving disputes between the parties to construction contracts, courts and arbitrators have frequently ruled that the wording of a construction contract, including its specifications, should be construed against the documents’ drafter, which is typically the owner and its design professional. This is because courts and arbitrators typically, of necessity, interpret that the drafter of the construction documents exercised appropriate skill, care, and professional judgment in developing the construction documents, using deliberately chosen words and phrases. This article presents words and phrases that should typically be avoided in construction documents, ...

Viviana Gutierrez-Garcia didn’t have a traditional path for earning her Construction Documents Technologist (CDT ® ) and Certified Construction Contract Administrator (CCCA ® ) certifications. Inspired by her husband’s extensive experience in the construction industry, Viviana made a bold transition from nearly two decades in insurance to mastering the intricacies of construction documents and contract administration. Discover the steps she took and the strategies she used to achieve her goals in this insightful Q&A. Tell us about your career and why you chose to work in this industry. And why earn a CSI certification? After 19 ...