Who bears the most risk when construction documents are 100% complete?

When construction documents are 100% complete, the owner bears the most risk. This is because, at this stage, the owner has made substantial commitments based on the finalized design and specifications, which include all the necessary details for construction.

Once construction documents are completed, the owner typically enters into a construction contract with a contractor, agreeing to the scope, cost, and schedule outlined in those documents. If any issues arise during the construction phase—such as cost overruns, delays, or design flaws—the owner may be responsible for addressing those issues, especially if they stem from aspects of the design the owner has approved.

The contractor does carry some risk related to construction execution and quality, but they are primarily obligated to deliver according to the completed documents and specifications provided by the architect. The project manager helps coordinate and oversee the project, but their role is to facilitate and manage project risks rather than assume them. The architect retains some responsibility for design integrity and may also face liability for errors, but the ultimate financial and project delivery risks fall primarily on the owner once the documents are finalized.