CCDC 2

Placeholder page for the supporting reference CCDC 2, part of the Examitect reading list for the ExAC.

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CCDC 2 at a glance

Use this card as a quick reference before you crack the contract open.

Full titleCCDC 2 (2020), Stipulated Price Contract
PublisherCanadian Construction Documents Committee (CCDC)
Current edition2020
Earlier editionsCCDC 2 (2008) is the immediate prior edition commonly cited in practice
LanguagesTypically published in English and French by the CCDC
Primary audienceOwners, contractors, and the consultants who administer their contracts in Canada
ExAC relevancePrimary resource on Examitect's ExAC study plan for several Section 4 categories
Where to accessSealed copies through CCDC document distributors. The CCDC document catalogue is at ccdc.org

Why CCDC 2 matters for the ExAC

CCDC 2 is the contract behind most of Section 4. Almost every scenario that asks what the architect can certify, who can issue a change, what triggers holdback release, or how a default notice runs is anchored in a CCDC 2 General Condition.

Examitect's ExAC study plan lists CCDC 2 (2020) as a primary resource for six Section 4 categories: types of construction contract (9.2), procedures for awarding a contract (9.3), the architect's role in construction administration (10.1), office-function tasks during construction (10.2), the architect's role on site (11.1), and field functions during construction (11.2). That coverage is the reason every ExAC candidate, even one whose practice has been mostly design, should know the document.

Practising architects use CCDC 2 every week. The ExAC reflects that: contract clauses are not background reading, they are the answer to the question.

ExAC sections

See the ExAC sections table below for study-plan coverage.

What CCDC 2 is

CCDC 2 is the Stipulated Price Contract published by the Canadian Construction Documents Committee. It is the most commonly used owner-contractor agreement in Canadian construction and the form most ExAC candidates will encounter on their first projects as Intern Architects.

The contract sits between two parties: the Owner and the Contractor. Together with the Agreement, the Definitions, and the General Conditions, it sets out a fixed price for the Work, how that price is paid, how changes are priced, how disputes are handled, and when the Owner can take the building over. The Consultant, normally the architect of record, is named in the Agreement and administers the Contract on the Owner's behalf.

The CCDC describes the document as the product of a consensus-building process aimed at balancing the interests of all parties on a construction project. That balance shows up everywhere in the General Conditions: notice periods cut both ways, holdback works for both sides, and the dispute resolution ladder applies equally to Owner and Contractor.

Inside CCDC 2: Agreement, Definitions, General Conditions

CCDC 2 (2020) is shorter than people expect, but densely packed. It has three parts.

SectionWhat it contains
Agreement (A-1 to A-8)The signed deal: the Work, agreements and amendments, contract documents, contract price, payment, notices, language, and succession.
DefinitionsThe 28 capitalized terms used throughout. Includes Contract, Contract Documents, Consultant, Substantial Performance of the Work, Ready-for-Takeover, Change Order, Change Directive, Working Day, and Notice in Writing.
Part 1, General ProvisionsContract Documents, Law of the Contract, Rights and Remedies, Assignment.
Part 2, Administration of the ContractAuthority of the Consultant, Role of the Consultant, Review and Inspection of the Work, Defective Work.
Part 3, Execution of the WorkControl of the Work, construction by Owner or Other Contractors, Temporary Work, Construction Schedule, Supervision, Subcontractors and Suppliers, Labour and Products, Shop Drawings.
Part 4, AllowancesCash Allowances and Contingency Allowance.
Part 5, PaymentFinancing information, Applications for Payment, Payment, Substantial Performance of the Work and holdback release, Final Payment, Deferred Work, Non-conforming Work.
Part 6, Changes in the WorkOwner's right to make changes, Change Order, Change Directive, Concealed or Unknown Conditions, Delays, Claims for a Change in Contract Price.
Part 7, Default NoticeOwner's right to terminate or perform the Work, and the Contractor's right to suspend or terminate.
Part 8, Dispute ResolutionAuthority of the Consultant in the first instance, Adjudication, Negotiation/Mediation/Arbitration, Retention of Rights.
Part 9, Protection of Persons and PropertyProtection of Work and Property, toxic and hazardous substances, artifacts and fossils, construction safety, mould.
Part 10, Governing RegulationsTaxes and Duties, Laws/Notices/Permits/Fees, Patent Fees, Workers' Compensation.
Part 11, InsuranceThe required insurance program for the Contract.
Part 12, Owner TakeoverReady-for-Takeover, Early Occupancy by the Owner, Warranty.
Part 13, Indemnification and WaiverIndemnification of the parties and Waiver of Claims.

A practical tip: when an exam question asks where to look, identify the action first (pay, change, terminate, take over), then jump to the Part that owns that action. Most candidates lose time hunting clauses they could have skipped to directly.

Key CCDC 2 terms every ExAC candidate should know

Most CCDC 2 questions on the ExAC turn on a defined term. The contract capitalizes its definitions for a reason: every capital-letter word is a defined term that means exactly what the Definitions section says, no more and no less.

TermWhat it means in CCDC 2
ContractThe undertaking by the parties to perform their respective duties under the Contract Documents. Not just the signed Agreement.
Contract DocumentsThe full bundle listed in Article A-3: Agreement, Definitions, General Conditions, supplementary conditions, Specifications, Drawings, addenda, and anything else listed.
ConsultantThe person or entity engaged by the Owner and identified in the Agreement, typically the architect of record. Administers the Contract on the Owner's behalf.
Substantial Performance of the WorkThe point at which the Work is sufficiently complete for use, as determined under the lien legislation at the Place of the Work. Triggers warranty start and holdback release.
Ready-for-TakeoverNew in CCDC 2 (2020). A defined milestone signalling that the Work is complete enough for the Owner to take over the building, including substantial performance, deficiencies addressed, permits, training, and turnover documents.
Change OrderA written amendment to the Contract signed by Owner, Contractor, and Consultant that records an agreed change in Contract Price, Contract Time, or both.
Change DirectiveA written instruction directing the Contractor to proceed with a change before price and time are agreed. Used to keep the Work moving while the parties negotiate.
Supplemental InstructionA written clarification from the Consultant that does not change the Contract Price or Contract Time. Used to interpret the Contract Documents.
Notice in WritingA formal written notice delivered per Article A-6. Many CCDC 2 rights and deadlines only start running once a Notice in Writing is properly delivered.
Place of the WorkThe designated site or location of the Project. Drives which provincial lien legislation, Payment Legislation, and labour and tax rules apply.
Working DayA day other than a Saturday, Sunday, or statutory holiday at the Place of the Work. Most deadlines are counted in Working Days, not calendar days.
Payment LegislationThe prompt-payment and adjudication legislation in force at the Place of the Work. CCDC 2 (2020) defers to Payment Legislation where it conflicts with the contract's default payment terms.

How CCDC 2 compares to other ExAC references

CCDC 2 is the actual contract on a project. The other ExAC references explain how to design, document, cost, and administer the work that contract governs.

ReferenceRole on the ExAC
CHOPExplains the practice context CCDC 2 assumes. CHOP Chapters 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, and 6.8 walk through bidding, contract administration, field review, and project closeout the way a Canadian architect actually does them.
CCDC 24The Guide to Model Forms and Support Documents that supports CCDC 2. Sets out the Contractor's Qualification Statement, prequalification checklist, change-process forms, and the model Application for Payment.
NBC 2020The technical code the Work has to meet. CCDC 2 says the Contractor builds to the Contract Documents, but the Contract Documents themselves have to comply with the NBC.
CHINGThe illustrated reference behind the design and detail decisions baked into the Contract Documents that CCDC 2 governs.
RSMeans and YardsticksThe cost references used to set the Contract Price before CCDC 2 fixes it.

How to study CCDC 2 for the ExAC

CCDC 2 rewards a structured pass. Follow these six steps in order.

  1. Read the Agreement first. Articles A-1 to A-8 set up everything else. Know what the Owner and Contractor agree to before you study how they perform.
  2. Memorize the Definitions. Twenty-eight terms, each a likely answer to an ExAC question. Tab the page or copy them onto a single study sheet.
  3. Map the 13 General Conditions. Sketch a one-page map of GC 1 through GC 13 with one line per Part. You'll find clauses by topic instead of flipping pages.
  4. Deep-read Parts 2, 5, 6, and 12. These cover the Consultant's authority, payment and holdback, changes in the Work, and Owner Takeover including Ready-for-Takeover. Most Section 4 questions live here.
  5. Read CCDC 2 with CHOP 6.5 and 6.6. The contract is mechanical, the handbook is practical. Together they cover the why and the what.
  6. Test recall with scenario questions. The ExAC tests applied knowledge. Drill Change Orders, payment certification, deficiency lists, default, and termination as scenario prompts, not flashcards.

ExAC sections CCDC 2 supports

Where CCDC 2 lands on Examitect's ExAC study plan.

ExAC sectionHow CCDC 2 shows up
Section 1, Design and analysisNot directly tested. The references for Section 1 are CHOP, CHING, and the cost guides.
Section 2, CodesNot directly tested. Section 2 is anchored in the NBC and NECB.
Section 3, Sustainability and final projectNot directly tested as the contract itself, though Section 3 expects you to know the documents your specifications and drawings will be bid against.
Section 4, Construction and practicePrimary resource for types of construction contract (9.2), awarding a contract (9.3), construction administration roles (10.1 and 11.1), office-function tasks (10.2), and field functions (11.2).

Tips for Intern Architects reading CCDC 2

Specific tactics for getting CCDC 2 into recall, not just recognition.

Tip 1, learn the capitals. Every capitalized word in CCDC 2 is a defined term. If a question turns on what counts as "the Work" or who counts as a "Subcontractor", the Definitions are the answer. Treat lowercase versions as plain English, not contract language.

Tip 2, follow the money. Trace one full payment cycle: Application for Payment, Consultant's certification, Owner's payment, holdback, Substantial Performance, holdback release, Final Payment. Once you've walked it once, GC 5 stops being a list and starts being a sequence.

Tip 3, distinguish Change Order from Change Directive. A Change Order is signed and priced. A Change Directive proceeds before price is agreed. Examitect questions love to put both terms in the same scenario and ask you to pick.

Tip 4, internalize Ready-for-Takeover. Ready-for-Takeover is the headline change in CCDC 2 (2020). It is a defined milestone that goes beyond Substantial Performance. If a scenario describes a building where the deficiency list is closed, training has happened, and the Owner is moving in, you're being asked about Part 12.

Tip 5, watch the Working Days. Most CCDC 2 deadlines run in Working Days, not calendar days. A weekend and a statutory holiday at the Place of the Work do not count. Questions that include dates are usually testing this.

Tip 6, respect Notice in Writing. Many CCDC 2 rights, including a Contractor's claim under GC 6.6 or a default under GC 7.1, only start running once Notice in Writing is properly delivered per Article A-6. "We talked about it on site" is not Notice in Writing.

Tip 7, read Part 8 as a ladder. Dispute resolution under CCDC 2 (2020) climbs from the Consultant's first-instance ruling, to adjudication where Payment Legislation applies, to negotiation, mediation, and finally arbitration. Know the order.

Common ExAC scenarios where CCDC 2 is the answer

The scenarios below repeat across Examitect practice questions and mock exams. Each is anchored in a specific CCDC 2 Part.

  • The Owner asks the Contractor to proceed with extra work before the price is agreed: Change Directive under GC 6.3, not a Change Order.
  • The Consultant interprets a drawing without changing price or time: Supplemental Instruction under GC 2.2.
  • The Contractor finds rock that wasn't in the geotech report: Concealed or Unknown Conditions under GC 6.4.
  • The Owner is moving in early before the project is complete: Early Occupancy under GC 12.2, not Substantial Performance.
  • The Contractor stops getting paid and wants to walk: Contractor's right to suspend or terminate under GC 7.2, only after Notice in Writing.
  • Holdback can be released: at Substantial Performance of the Work under GC 5.4, governed by the lien legislation at the Place of the Work.
  • A dispute can't be resolved by the Consultant: Adjudication or the Part 8 ladder, depending on Payment Legislation.

How Examitect reinforces CCDC 2

Examitect's Section 4 practice questions are written around CCDC 2 scenarios: a Change Directive disguised as a Change Order, a payment certification with a tricky holdback amount, a Ready-for-Takeover punch list, a default sequence that hinges on Notice in Writing. The mock exams put those scenarios on the clock, so you practise picking the right clause in the time the ExAC actually gives you.

If you've never worked on a CCDC 2 project, start with the free sample question, then move to a full Section 4 plan. If your IAP is already deep in construction administration, use the mocks to verify that recognition has hardened into recall.

CCDC 2 and ExAC FAQ

CCDC 2 is the Stipulated Price Contract published by the Canadian Construction Documents Committee. It is the standard fixed-price contract between an owner and a contractor in Canada and bundles the Agreement, Definitions, and 13 Parts of General Conditions into one document. The current edition is CCDC 2 (2020).

Yes. Examitect's ExAC study plan lists CCDC 2 (2020) as a primary resource for several Section 4 categories, including types of construction contract, awarding a contract, construction administration office functions, and field functions.

Section 4 (Construction and practice). CCDC 2 is the contract behind the bidding, construction administration, and field-review questions that make up most of Section 4 on Examitect's study plan.

CCDC 2 (2020) is the current edition. It replaced CCDC 2 (2008) and introduced changes including Ready-for-Takeover, updated insurance and bonding requirements, mandatory adjudication language tied to provincial prompt-payment legislation, and refreshed General Conditions throughout.

CCDC 2 has three main sections: the Agreement Between Owner and Contractor (Articles A-1 to A-8), the Definitions, and the General Conditions (Parts 1 through 13). The General Conditions cover administration, execution, allowances, payment, changes, default, dispute resolution, protection of persons and property, governing regulations, insurance, owner takeover, and indemnification.

CCDC 2 is the stipulated price contract that governs an actual construction project. CCDC 24 is the Guide to Model Forms and Support Documents, which sets out contractor prequalification statements and the model forms used during construction administration. CCDC 24 supports the use of CCDC 2.

Under CCDC 2 (2020), the Consultant (typically the architect) administers the contract, interprets its requirements, reviews and inspects the Work, certifies payment, issues Change Orders and Change Directives, and rules in the first instance on disputes under Part 8. The Consultant's authority is set out in GC 2.1 and GC 2.2.

Time varies widely with prior construction administration experience. Most candidates spend a focused week on CCDC 2, reading it once cover to cover, then revisiting Parts 2, 5, 6, and 12 alongside CHOP Chapter 6.6 and scenario-based practice questions.

Keep exploring

Other ExAC reference books.

The six primary references on Examitect's ExAC study plan. CCDC 2 sits alongside these as the contract behind Section 4.

CHOP

The Canadian Handbook of Practice. The RAIC's reference for architectural practice and a primary Section 4 resource.

CHING

Building Construction Illustrated. The illustrated reference behind Section 1 site analysis and Section 3 assemblies.

NBC 2020

The National Building Code of Canada. The technical code your CCDC 2 Contract Documents have to meet.

NECB

The National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings. The energy-performance side of Section 2.

RSMeans

The unit-cost reference used to estimate the Contract Price before it is fixed by CCDC 2.

Yardsticks

The Canadian elemental cost reference for early-stage budgeting on Section 1 cost management.

All supporting references

Browse every supporting reference Examitect maps to the ExAC study plan, including CCDC 24, RAIC Doc 6, and RAIC Doc 9.