What is a characteristic of a stipulated price or lump sum contract?

In a stipulated price or lump sum contract, the defining characteristic is that the owner agrees to pay a specified total price for the completion of the project. This means that the total cost is established upfront and does not change, regardless of the actual costs incurred during the project execution, provided that the scope of work remains the same.

This arrangement provides the owner with cost certainty as they know exactly what they will pay for the entire project from the outset. It also places the risk of cost overruns primarily on the contractor, as they must manage their expenses within the agreed sum. In cases where unforeseen circumstances arise, the contractor typically bears the responsibility to either absorb those additional costs or find ways to complete the project within the stipulated amount.

In contrast, other types of contracts, like those based on actual costs or unit prices, involve payment structures that vary based on the actual expenses incurred or the quantities of work performed, which is not the case with a lump sum contract.