What should an architect do if the lowest bona fide bid exceeds the estimate by 15%?

When the lowest bona fide bid exceeds the estimate by 15%, the most appropriate action for an architect is to seek approval for an increase in the budget. This approach allows for open communication with the client about the project's financial constraints and realities. By obtaining the client’s approval for a budget increase, the architect acknowledges the market conditions that may have influenced the bids and demonstrates a responsible management of expectations.

The option of rebidding the project without the client's approval may lead to unnecessary delays and additional costs, as it does not address the core issue of budget constraints. Terminating the contract immediately is an extreme measure that may not be warranted at this stage, as it does not consider the possibility of adjusting the budget. Negotiating with bidders without revising documents may result in further misunderstandings and could compromise the integrity of the bidding process, particularly if the bidders feel that their initial proposals are not being sufficiently valued or considered.

Therefore, seeking client approval for a higher budget is not only a responsible course of action but also fosters transparent collaboration between the architect and the client.