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Introduction In recent years, the design industry has experienced a significant disparity in experience levels among the workforce in the field of construction contract administration (CCA) services. With a visible gap between junior staff (1-5 years of experience) and senior staff (10+ years of experience), many firms are finding themselves in a conundrum, compelling less-experienced…
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As an architect, you know that starting with a comprehensive plan and building a good foundation is essential for success. You would never begin a project without a blueprint and process in place – but that’s exactly what many architects do when it comes to retirement planning. Many architects don’t know where to begin their…
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How confident are you about your knowledge of life insurance? According to LIMRA’s Life Insurance Barometer Study, fewer than 1 in 3 consumers believe themselves to be very or extremely knowledgeable regarding Life Insurance.
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The Fable A sheepdog getting to the end of her prime working years, was told by the farmer that her final task was to select an appropriate replacement. So, early the next morning, she began her search of the farm for a suitable heir to her position.
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Artificial intelligence is transforming industries and streamlining processes at a dizzying pace. There’s a lot we don’t understand about AI, including the risks and exposures inherent in incorporating AI into our businesses and lives.
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Once again standards were exceptionally high across the many excellent proposals received for the 2023 AIA Trust Component Grants Program. Over the last 17 years, Victor Insurance Managers, the partner-provider of the AIA Trust Professional Liability, Business Owners, and Cyber Liability Insurance Programs, have funded over $350,000 in grant awards made directly to components through…
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The AIA Trust is always working for you to ensure that all the benefits we offer you and your firms as AIA members are the best they can be. We have some updates for you:
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The Victor and CNA professional liability insurance program does not recommend specific language on “moonlighting.” That is because the situations vary so greatly. The key is for an architecture service firm to have a workable provision in an employee handbook. There are very few instances where an employer is held liable for the actions of…
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From choosing your client to closing a project, your firm can take measured steps towards managing its risk. While unpleasant, the terms “insurance” and “litigation” have taught us how to better protect design firms by minimizing claim potential, or at least to develop stronger defenses if claims cannot be avoided.
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If you’re relatively new to practice, you may think that you can deal with retirement planning much later. But it takes years to accumulate the savings you’ll need for an ideal retirement. It’s well worth spending time now to strategize how you’ll get from here to there – even if retirement is many years in…
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At the AIA Conference on Architecture 2023, Chicago, June 7 – 10, the AIA Trust invites AIA members to drop by, learn about the AIA Trust offerings, and be entered to win some great giveaways!
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Architects have an unprecedented opportunity to be part of creating a safer and more sustainable world for generations to come by designing to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to changing conditions. AIA’s Climate Action Plan outlines a plan for how firms can address this challenge. Climate action is not only an imperative—it is an opportunity.…
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Earlier this year, the US passed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, with $369 billion in funding intended to cut climate pollution in half by 2030 (from 2005 levels). The private sector is also embracing capital-allocation strategies that take environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues into account with their business practices. Over the next few…
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In 2023, we will continue to face challenges like higher inflation, higher interest rates and potential recession. While there’s not much we can do to influence the global macroeconomic and geopolitical picture, there are plenty of ways to ensure our own finances are robust enough to deal with whatever the next 12 months throws at…
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Employee benefits are often defined as compensation paid by an employer to an employee over and above regular salary and wages. Employee benefits come in many shapes and sizes and are an integral part of an overall compensation package offered to employees. Employee benefits are essential in keeping current employees happy and loyal and have…
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The AIA Trust together with the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) and the National Society for Professional Engineers (NSPE) work annually to conduct an insurance carrier review and interview of professional liability trends and risk management issues. Following is a summary of highlights for 2022 in addition to complimentary useful resources made available to…
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Glenn Birx, FAIA, is the 2023 AIA Trust Chair. Glenn is a Vice President and Member of the Board of Directors of Ayers Saint Gross in Baltimore, MD, and was Chief Operating Officer for twenty years where he led the technical and management side of the firm, overseeing contracts, quality control, construction documents, and administration.
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Jobsite safety is more than just an issue for the general contractor and OSHA can impose safety obligations on all “employers” whose employees are present on the jobsite. Read on to learn some things that you may not have considered from the expert legal professionals at Practice Coach:
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Professional liability underwriters and risk managers are often asked how risk and professional liability changes for design firms using advanced digital technologies (such as generative design, DfMA (Design for Manufacturing & Assembly), VR/AR, BIM, Digital Twins, etc.). The simplest answer is that humans manage all technologies and the liability question and associated risks stop right…
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