Owner / Contractor · ALA Contract Documents

Owner/Contractor Agreement (Cost Plus Fee)

The open-book construction agreement: contractor is reimbursed actual cost plus an agreed fee, with clear definitions of reimbursable versus non-reimbursable costs so the monthly application is never a debate.

Format Editable Microsoft Word document, delivered by email after checkout
Price $75 · free for ALA members
Drafted by Husch Blackwell construction-law attorneys for the Association of Licensed Architects
Who this document is for
  • Fast-track or evolving-scope construction
  • Renovation work where unknowns make fixed pricing unfair
  • Owner-contractor relationships built on transparency
Frequently asked

How is this different from other industry-standard forms?

Unlike forms written for the whole construction industry, the Owner/Contractor Agreement is drafted specifically from the architect’s perspective, in plain language your clients can read without their own attorney translating every clause.

Can I edit it for my project?

Yes. It arrives as an editable Microsoft Word file, so you can adapt names, scope, fees, and project-specific terms while keeping the attorney-drafted structure intact.

Part of the ALA contract library — attorney-drafted agreements in clear language, written for the way architects actually work. Four contracts cost more than a year of ALA membership, which includes every document free.