001 - Public Works Projects vs Private: 12 Key Differences

Public works projects and private construction projects follow completely different rules. From procurement and contracts to decision-making and change orders, the type of client you work for changes everything about how you practice architecture.

In this episode, we break down 12 key differences between public and private projects. We cover the RFQ vs RFP process, design bid build requirements, low bid selection, prevailing wage laws, and why government projects require a completely different skill set than private work.

📝 Key Topics Covered:

• Government contracts vs private contract flexibility

• RFQ vs RFP: how architects get selected for public projects

• Design bid build and why public projects are locked into it

• Low bid selection and how it impacts construction documents

• Change order approval on public projects

• Prevailing wage laws and union labor requirements

⏱️ Chapters:

(0:00) Introduction

(2:30) What Defines Public vs Private

(4:15) Contracts: Key Differences

(6:45) Procurement Process Breakdown

(9:20) Project Delivery Methods

(12:00) Client Decision Making Process

(14:30) Level of Detail in Documents

(16:45) Sustainability and Energy

(18:00) Budget and Funding Stability

(19:30) Change Orders and Flexibility

(21:00) Stakeholder Involvement

(23:15) Liability and Legal Exposure

(24:45) Union and Labor Requirements

(26:30) How This Impacts the ARE

📖 Read the full blog post: Public Works Projects vs Private: 12 Key Differences

🎯 ARE 101 Membership (all ARE study materials)

🎯 ARE Boot Camp (10-week coaching program)

📚 Individual ARE Exam Courses:

• PcM 101 (Practice Management)

• PjM 101 (Project Management)

• CE 101 (Construction and Evaluation)

• AIA Contracts 101

• PA 101 (Programming and Analysis)

• PPD 101 (Project Planning and Design)

• PDD 101 (Project Development and Documentation)

• Building Codes 101

• CDT 101 (Construction Documents Technologist)