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Design Create Inspire
Studying for the Architect Registration Exam (ARE 5.0) and working toward licensure? This podcast is for you. Hosted by Bryn Young, licensed architect, author, and founder of ABC Club and Mind Over ARE, each episode brings you exam prep strategies, study tips, and mindset tools to help you pass the ARE. You’ll also hear real insights from coaching calls on overcoming procrastination, staying motivated, and balancing architecture exams with life and work. Plus, episodes on the architecture profession itself, from contracts to practice management, so you’re prepared not just for the tests, but for your career as an architect.
Design Create Inspire
Cardi B's Dream Home: Choosing the Best Fee Method | ARE 5.0 CE Practice Question
In this episode, we tackle a famous ARE 5.0 Construction & Evaluation (CE) practice question that also connects to PjM and PDD. The scenario? A high-profile client (yes, Cardi B!) who cares most about schedule and design quality — with no concern about cost. Which fee structure is the right fit: GMP, stipulated sum, cost-plus-fixed-fee, or negotiated sum?
Head Coach Shikha breaks down the nuances of:
- Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) – when cost certainty drives the contract
- Stipulated Sum – fixed fee based on a clearly defined scope
- Negotiated Sum – comparing contractor bids through negotiation
- Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee – how it balances risk, flexibility, and incentives for faster delivery
You’ll also hear how NCARB tests this concept across multiple divisions and why mastering the Architect’s Handbook charts on project delivery methods, cost, and risk is key for exam success.
Whether you’re preparing for the ARE 5.0 CE exam or want to better understand how different fee structures impact real projects, this deep dive gives you the clarity and practical examples you need.
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