Within how many days upon receipt of the payment request must the architect issue a certificate of payment or withhold the request?

Within how many days upon receipt of the payment request must the architect issue a certificate of payment or withhold the request?

• A. 15 days.
• B. 7 days.
• C. 10 days.
• D. 30 days.

Answer: (A)

In contract administration, the architect’s duty includes reviewing a payment request and issuing either a certificate of payment or a withholding, and this must happen within fifteen days of receiving the request. This deadline keeps cash flow moving for the contractor and keeps the project on a predictable schedule. If everything meets the contract terms, a full certificate is issued for the amount due; if there are issues—such as incomplete work, non-conforming items, or retention provisions—the architect withholds or adjusts the certificate and explains the reasons so corrections can be made. The other timeframes are less practical: seven or ten days often aren’t enough for proper verification, while thirty days would unnecessarily delay payments and bog down progress.

In contract administration, the architect’s duty includes reviewing a payment request and issuing either a certificate of payment or a withholding, and this must happen within fifteen days of receiving the request. This deadline keeps cash flow moving for the contractor and keeps the project on a predictable schedule. If everything meets the contract terms, a full certificate is issued for the amount due; if there are issues—such as incomplete work, non-conforming items, or retention provisions—the architect withholds or adjusts the certificate and explains the reasons so corrections can be made. The other timeframes are less practical: seven or ten days often aren’t enough for proper verification, while thirty days would unnecessarily delay payments and bog down progress.