Deadlines & compliance

Which CCDC contract do you need?

The right form follows three choices: whether the design is finished, how the price is set, and who carries design and management risk. A fully designed fixed-price job points to CCDC 2, uncertain scope to CCDC 3, and design-build to CCDC 14.

Answer four questions to get the matching CCDC standard contract, with a rationale and a runner-up.

01Your projectCCDC forms

Is the design complete before pricing?

A fixed lump sum needs a finished design; uncertain scope points to cost-plus.

Pricing basis

How the contractor is paid: one fixed price, a price per measured unit, or actual cost plus a fee.

Who is responsible for the design?

Owner's consultant designs, then a contractor builds, or one contractor both designs and builds.

Construction manager?

An adviser or agent is not at risk for the cost of the work; an at-risk CM is, often with a guaranteed maximum price.

How the forms differ

CCDC forms mainly differ on two axes: how the price is set (lump sum, unit price, or cost plus) and who carries design and management risk (owner-led design and build, design-build, or construction management as adviser or at risk).

Awaiting your answers

Answer the four questions about design, pricing, and delivery to see which CCDC standard contract form best fits the job.

CCDC standard construction contracts

Form	Type	Notes
CCDC 2	Stipulated Price	Fixed lump sum for fully designed work
CCDC 3	Cost Plus	Reimburse cost plus a fee, uncertain scope
CCDC 4	Unit Price	Price per measured unit of work
CCDC 5A	CM for services	Construction manager as adviser or agent, not at risk
CCDC 5B	CM at risk	Construction manager at risk, often a guaranteed maximum price
CCDC 14	Design-Build	One party designs and builds for a fixed price

Last verified 2026-06-27

How the CCDC forms divide up

The Canadian Construction Documents Committee publishes a small family of standard contracts, and choosing between them comes down to two axes. The first is how the price is set: a single fixed lump sum, a price per measured unit, or the actual cost of the work plus a fee. The second is who carries design and management risk: the owner leads the design and a contractor builds, one party both designs and builds, or a construction manager runs the work as an adviser or at risk.

Fixed price, unit price, or cost plus

CCDC 2 Stipulated Price is the common fixed lump sum for work that is fully designed before it is priced. CCDC 4 Unit Price pays a set rate per measured unit, which suits work where quantities are not known precisely but rates can be fixed. CCDC 3 Cost Plus reimburses the actual cost of the work plus a fee, which fits uncertain or evolving scope where a fair fixed price cannot be set yet.

Construction management and design-build

When a construction manager is involved, the delivery method drives the form. CCDC 5A is for a construction manager acting as an adviser or agent who is not at risk for the cost of the work, while CCDC 5B is for a construction manager who is at risk, often under a guaranteed maximum price. When one party both designs and builds for a fixed price, CCDC 14 Design-Build Stipulated Price applies, which shifts design responsibility from the owner's consultant to the contractor.

What this tool leaves out

This selector reflects the headline use of each standard form. Real projects almost always need supplementary conditions tailored to the work, and the right insurance, bonding, and dispute terms. It does not cover every CCDC document or the specific clauses your project needs. Use the result as guidance, not legal advice, and review the official forms and consult legal counsel before signing. See the Canadian Construction Documents Committee.

Common questions

Which CCDC contract should I use?

It depends on three things: whether the design is complete, how the price is set, and who carries design and management risk. A fully designed, fixed-price job uses CCDC 2; uncertain scope on a cost-plus basis uses CCDC 3; payment per measured unit uses CCDC 4; construction management uses CCDC 5A or 5B; and one party designing and building for a fixed price uses CCDC 14.

What is the difference between CCDC 2 and CCDC 14?

Both are fixed-price contracts. CCDC 2 Stipulated Price is for work that the owner's consultant has fully designed before the contractor prices it. CCDC 14 Design-Build Stipulated Price is for when one party both designs and builds the project for a fixed price, so the design responsibility sits with the contractor.

What is the difference between CCDC 5A and CCDC 5B?

Both are construction management forms. Under CCDC 5A the construction manager acts as an adviser or agent and is not at risk for the cost of the work. Under CCDC 5B the construction manager is at risk for the work, often under a guaranteed maximum price.

When should I use cost-plus instead of a fixed price?

Cost-plus (CCDC 3) suits work where the scope is uncertain or still evolving, so a fair fixed price is hard to set up front. The owner reimburses the actual cost of the work plus a fee. Once the design is complete and the scope is settled, a stipulated price (CCDC 2) gives the owner more cost certainty.

Who publishes the CCDC contracts?

CCDC standard construction contracts are published by the Canadian Construction Documents Committee. This selector reflects the headline use of each form. Real projects usually need supplementary conditions and proper insurance and bonding, so review the official documents and consult legal counsel.

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