We don't include mediation or arbitration in our construction contracts (just Taylor County trials). I'm reviewing a proposed AIA 201-2007 and see no use for the Initial Decision Maker (new section 15). This looks to me to simply be a possible additional cost, and a complication not relevant to our situation.

Has anyone out there had experience with getting an Architect to modify a contract so as to allow the Architect to revert to his original role? Since the IDM section was apparently added at the behest of General Contractors, any GC with objection may simply not bid.

This is a fairly small construction project.

Please advise if you've dealt with the AIA 201-2007. Thanks!