AIA Residential Contract Documents: A110, A111, A112, and B110 Explained

Build Residential Projects on a Stronger Foundation

Single-family residential construction doesn’t follow the same rules as commercial work. Projects are more personal. Decisions evolve in real time. Owners stay closely involved in the day-to-day. And changes are not only common, but expected.

Yet many contracts used in residential construction weren’t built for this level of flexibility. That’s where AIA Contract Documents’ residential suite comes in.

The A110™, A111™, A112™, and B110™ agreements provide a coordinated, industry-standard framework for defining scope, managing risk, and aligning expectations from design through construction.

• A110 is used for custom residential projects with a contractor. What is the A110?
• A111 is used when the builder performs construction only. What is the AI11?
• A112 is used when the builder provides both design and construction. What is the A112?
• B110 governs the relationship between the owner and architect. What is the B110?

What are AIA Residential Contracts?

AIA residential contracts are designed specifically for custom home building and single-family residential projects. Rather than relying on disconnected or one-off contracts, this suite allows owners, architects, and builders to work from aligned agreements that reflect how residential projects actually operate.

Key Benefits of Using AIA Residential Contracts

Standardizing contracts across your projects improves consistency, reduces negotiation time, and helps teams operate more efficiently over time.

• Clearly defined roles and responsibilities.
• Standardized approach to changes and payment.
• Reduced risk of disputes and misalignment.
• Industry-backed language developed through consensus.

Core AIA Residential Contract Documents

Each agreement serves a distinct purpose depending on how the project is structured.

A110 – Custom Residential Construction (Owner–Contractor)

The A110 is the primary agreement for custom residential construction projects. In most architect-led projects, this is the central construction agreement.

• Used when an owner hires a contractor for a custom home.
• Supports flexible pricing structures.
• Includes integrated general conditions.

B110 – Owner–Architect Agreement for Custom Residential Projects

The B110 governs the relationship between the owner and architect.

• Covers design through construction administration.
• Structured across project phases.
• Coordinates directly with A110.

Together, B110 + A110 define the full project lifecycle from design through construction.

A111 – Home Builder Agreement (Construction Only)

The A111 is best suited for more straightforward residential builds. It’s used when:

• The owner hires a builder for construction only
• Design is already complete or handled separately

A112 – Home Builder Agreement (Design + Construction)

The A112 is used when the builder provides both design and construction services. It’s ideal for design-build residential projects where one entity manages the entire scope.

Using Residential Contracts Together

The strength of AIA residential contracts is not in any single agreement. It’s in how they coordinate across the project team.

The residential AIA document series provides a consistent framework for residential construction that can be used together or alone, based on the project structure. Together, they align design responsibility, construction execution, payment structures, and risk allocation.