004 - Construction Contingency: Types, Percentages, and How It Works

Architect Exam Podcast · Mar 14, 2025 · 11m

Construction contingency is the financial buffer that keeps your project alive when the unexpected hits. In this episode, we break down what contingency means in construction, the different types every project team member carries, and how contingency percentages change across project phases.

You'll learn the critical difference between a contingency and an allowance, why owners, architects, and contractors all need their own contingency reserves, and the golden rule that determines how much contingency your project actually needs.

We also cover hard cost vs soft cost contingency, schedule…