What should a consultant do if they observe deficiencies?

• A. Document the condition and advise the owner, not instruct the contractor on how to fix it.
• B. Direct the contractor on how to fix it.
• C. Ignore the deficiency.
• D. Sign off on the contract despite the deficiency.

Answer: (A)

When a consultant spots deficiencies, the essential duty is to document what is observed and inform the owner in clear, objective terms. This creates a permanent record that supports the owner in making informed decisions about risk, cost, and scheduling. The documentation should describe what is wrong, where it is, when it was observed, and why it matters, often with photos or measurements and references to applicable standards or codes. After documenting, the consultant should advise the owner on possible paths to remediation and the potential consequences of inaction, but stay out of how the repair should be done.

This preserves the owner’s control over the project and maintains the consultant’s professional boundaries. Directing the contractor on fixes would overstep the consultant’s role and could create liability or conflicts of interest. Ignoring the deficiency or signing off on the contract despite it would violate professional responsibilities and could expose parties to ongoing risk.