Under what circumstances can the Architect reject work?

The architect has the authority to reject work primarily when it does not conform to the Contract Documents. This foundational principle ensures that all work completed meets the established standards and requirements outlined in the contract. The Contract Documents include detailed specifications, drawings, and other agreements that govern the project. If the work deviates from these documents—whether in terms of materials, dimensions, or overall quality—it can jeopardize the integrity and intent of the project, which warrants rejection to maintain compliance and uphold project standards.

In contrast, while exceeding the project budget or failure to complete work on time are significant issues, they are generally managed through other mechanisms, such as budget adjustments or schedule extensions. Similarly, requests for changes from the Owner must go through a formal change order process, rather than just being a basis for rejection by the architect. Ultimately, the key to the architect's ability to enforce quality and compliance lies in adherence to the Contract Documents.