In contract practice, which statement best describes the standard of care for architects under typical contracts?

• A. Architects owe owners an absolute fiduciary duty that cannot be waived.
• B. AIA contracts hold architects to a professional 'standard of care.'
• C. The standard of care is defined entirely by state statute, with no contract influence.
• D. There is no established standard of care in professional practice.

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that architects are held to a professional standard of care in typical contracts—meaning they must perform with the same level of skill, diligence, and prudence that a reasonably competent architect would use in similar circumstances, as reflected in standard industry practices and what the contract expects. AIA contracts explicitly require this professional standard of care, which guides how the architect’s services are measured and evaluated. This isn’t an absolute fiduciary duty that cannot be waived, and while state statutes and licensing shape practice, they don’t alone define the standard in contracts. There is an established standard of care in professional practice, so claiming there is no standard would be incorrect.