AIA G-series administrative forms: G701, G702, G703, G704, G710, G714, G716

One-line orientation

G-series forms document payments, changes, questions, and completion milestones during construction. Learn what action triggers each form and who prepares or signs it.

Key points

• Payment forms:

  • G702 — Application and Certificate for Payment: The contractor submits an application stating the percentage of work complete and value of stored materials. The architect reviews (often coordinated with site visits) and, if reasonable, issues a certificate for payment. Contractor certifies conformance; architect’s certification is based on the architect’s knowledge, information, and belief.
  • G703 — Continuation Sheet: The schedule-of-values itemization that accompanies G702. Shows the breakdown of the contract sum by work category, amounts previously certified, and amounts requested in the current application.

• Substantial Completion:

  • G704 — Certificate of Substantial Completion: Documents the date the work is sufficiently complete for the owner’s intended use. The architect issues it; owner and contractor also sign. Nonconforming work is listed as exceptions. A project may have multiple G704s for separate portions of work. Starts warranty/guarantee periods and may trigger retainage reduction/release as the contract permits.

• Changes in the work (from no change in cost or time to an unresolved adjustment):

  • G710 — Architect’s Supplemental Instructions (ASI): For minor changes that do not affect contract sum or contract time. The architect issues unilaterally. If the contractor agrees the change is truly minor, the work is done without adjusting money or schedule.
  • G701 — Change Order: Used when a change does affect cost and/or schedule and all three parties (owner, contractor, architect) agree on the adjustment. All three sign. Money changes hands and/or the schedule shifts.
  • G714 — Construction Change Directive (CCD): Issued when the owner and contractor cannot agree on the cost or time impact of a required change. The architect directs the contractor to proceed while the dispute is resolved — either by converting the CCD into a G701 Change Order or escalating to mediation/arbitration.

• Information requests:

  • G716 — Request for Information (RFI): The contractor typically submits this when the contract documents are unclear or insufficient. The architect responds. Large projects can generate over 1,000 RFIs. The architect’s response dictates which next form is needed: G710, G701, or G714.

AIA change workflow: from RFI to the right change form

An RFI (G716) routes the architect’s response to one of three change forms.

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Separate (not changes): G702 pay application + G703 continuation sheet · G704 substantial completion (sets warranty start). G702, G703 and G704 cover payment and completion rather than change.

Confusions / comparison

Form	Full name	Purpose	Who issues / who signs
G701-2017	Change Order	Formal change with agreed cost / time adjustment	Architect prepares; owner + contractor + architect all sign
G702-1992	Application and Certificate for Payment	Monthly payment request + certification	Contractor submits application; architect issues certificate
G703-1992	Continuation Sheet	Schedule-of-values breakdown accompanying G702	Contractor prepares; submitted with G702
G704-2017	Certificate of Substantial Completion	Certifies work is ready for owner’s use; sets warranty start and may affect retainage	Architect issues; owner + contractor sign
G710-2017	Architect’s Supplemental Instructions (ASI)	Minor change — no cost or schedule impact	Architect issues unilaterally
G714-2017	Construction Change Directive (CCD)	Disputed change — architect directs work to proceed while cost is unresolved	Architect (on behalf of owner) issues; owner + architect sign; contractor must comply
G716-2004	Request for Information (RFI)	Clarification request about contract documents	Contractor typically initiates; architect responds

Related

→ AIA owner-contractor documents (this module): A201 General Conditions governs when and how these G-forms are used · AIA documents by delivery method (this module): which delivery methods use these standard G-forms · Construction administration responsibilities (same topic): architect’s role in certifying payments and issuing change directives.