Construction contract updated by RIAI
The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) has launched the RIAI Construction Contract 2025, a new set of standard contracts designed to make construction projects in Ireland more collaborative, balanced, and efficient.
Developed in partnership with the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) and the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI), the 2025 contracts replace the 2017 editions of the RIAI Articles of Agreement.
They aim to reflect modern construction practices and the increasing complexity of building design, sustainability requirements, and project delivery.
Major step
RIAI President Sean Mahon said that the new contracts are a major step forward for the Irish construction industry.
“The RIAI Construction Contract is considered the industry standard and is supported by all the key professional bodies. It reflects a more collaborative way of delivering our built environment and has been designed to make the process more efficient for everyone involved,” he said.
Dermot Durack (SCSI fellow and CIArb Ireland chair), said that the update was a welcome modernisation that simplified the contract and reflected today’s construction realities.
“The new version reduces the need for amendments and better recognises the roles of sub-contractors and contractor design,” he said.
Paul Sheridan (CIF) said that the changes would help bring greater clarity and fairness to construction projects.
“The new form reflects modern practices and introduces innovative provisions that provide balance around the duties and obligations of all parties,” he said.
“We hope it will be adopted quickly across the industry,” he said.
User-friendly and logical layout
Among the main changes is a clearer and more logical layout.
The old ‘appendix’ has been moved to the front of the document and renamed ‘contract particulars’, making key information easier to find.
Other updates include:
- New provisions for contractor’s design and professional indemnity insurance,
- Limitation on contractor’s liability,
- Clearer rules for selected and nominated sub-contractors,
- Specific timescales for notices, giving both parties greater certainty.
Although the format has been modernised, the RIAI says the 2025 editions retain the familiar balance and intent of the previous ‘yellow’ and ‘blue’ contracts, which have long been regarded as the standard for private building projects in Ireland.
The new contracts were developed through the liaison committee for the construction industry, which includes the Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland (ACEI), Engineers Ireland (EI), the CIF, and the SCSI.
The RIAI Construction Contract 2025 and related agreement forms are available from the RIAI bookshop in print, and digitally through the for RIAI members.