2016 Trade Definitions Now Available

The 2016 edition of the Alberta Construction Trade Definitions are now available.  ACA thanks the Edmonton Construction Association for its leadership in updating and improving the Trade Definitions.  We encourage members to carefully review relevant scopes as there have been numerous improvements.

The 2016 edition also includes 3 new scopes:

• Concrete Formwork
• Concrete Finishing
• Cold Rolled Steel Framing

ACA, its member local construction associations and the 3000 plus member firms endorse adoption of the 2016 ACA Trade Definitions as a best practice. We encourage all tender authorities and their design consultants, specification writers, and contractors and suppliers to cite and utilize the 2016 ACA Trade Definitions for their projects.

Trade Definitions provide clarity to all construction project stakeholders as to the allocation of work to be bid and performed.  This clarity in turn reduces confusion, error, disputes, and litigation.

The 2016 Trade Definitions represent a comprehensive update to reflect current technology and business practice, and are the consensus result of input from many industry volunteers. They are not a tendering system.  Trade Definitions are a guideline and the allocation of work amongst trades on any given project remains the responsibility of the tender authority and general contractor.

All member companies and trade associations may request changes to any or all trade definitions by providing their request in writing to the Alberta Construction Association or the Edmonton Construction Association, care of the Trade Definitions Committee, before January 1st of each year. The request must include the change, reason for the change and the effect on the other scopes. The Trade Definitions Committee will review and rule on all requests. Changes to the definitions will be finalized and published on March 1st each year.

You can obtain a copy of the 2016 ACA Trade Definitions by downloading a complimentary copy from the Alberta Construction Association website or from the website of your local construction association. You may wish to put a reminder in your calendars to check the end of February each year for the latest edition.