Canadian Handbook of Practice (CHOP)

In 1997, Architecture Canada and the provincial architects' associations produced the popular three-binder manual known as the Canadian Handbook of Practice (CHOP). Over the years Architecture Canada has prepared various supplements to this First Edition, but over time it became clear a total update and a digital version were  needed. The new Second Edition is the result. This updated edition ensures architects in Canada have the latest information on best practices at their fingertips. The changes that went into the CHOP, Second Edition are numerous:

1.  All previous supplements have been incorporated into the body of the CHOP and been renumbered and indexed;
   
   
2. New information and new checklists have been added, such as the checklist for an Integrated Design Process for Retrofitting Buildings;
   
   
3. Language has been changed following a thorough review by the Editorial Board. Eg. phrases such as "the architect must" or "the architect should" have been changed to read "the architect does..." or "the architect
   usually...";
   
   
4. All references have been updated;
   
   
5. More Links have been provided such as provincial lien legislation;
   
   
6. Provincial statistics and regulations have been updated;
   
   
7. References to changes in practice have been incorporated, such as sustainability, LEED™, BIM, etc.

Volume 1
The first binder contains everything an architect needs to know about the profession and construction industry, including chapters on professional conduct and ethics, the admission process, clients, consultants, building regulations and standards organizations. There are Checklists on such important topics as Coordinating Consultants, Authorities Having Jurisdiction (Federal, Provincial and Municipal); Lists of organizations and agencies; and useful Charts comparing provincial requirements.

Volume 2
The second binder contains a huge amount of useful material about all aspects of managing practices and projects.  There are Checklists of all kinds to help set up a partnerships or joint ventures, plan for succession, organize files, keep employees happy and productive, assess the degree of risk using a GO NO-GO analysis, calculate fees, prepare project budgets, evaluate sites, check Code conformance, coordinate documents, prepare bid packages, manage shop drawing reviews, carry out field review effectively, close out a project. 

In addition, there are Sample Forms for managing practices and projects, complete with instructions on how to customize for individual practices. These forms are available for free as Microsoft Word templates.

Volume 3
The third binder is designed to hold all the other information needed to run a practice as well as provincial association bulletins and information.