Resource Type: Newsletter

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Do You Know?

Do you know that most professional liability (PL) insurers offer a “pre-claim assistance” or “loss prevention” benefit to their PL policies?  When you are confronted with a difficult situation on a project that has not risen to the level of a “claim” (i.e., no one has asked you for money or services to take care…

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Climate Impact on Professional Liability

AIA’s 2021-2025 Strategic Plan states that the mission of AIA is to “inspire and empower architects to improve society and transform the world.”  A key tool to enabling architects to fulfill this mission is developing a better understanding of architect’s liability as the world changes around us.  And professional liability is evolving due to climate…

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Avoiding Fee Disputes

With the passage of the $1.2 trillion infrastructure act, architecture firms across the board can anticipate more work in the next few years. While the prognosis for the industry is positive, firms should take the time to establish meaningful fee collection practices so that they can remain financially solvent. Avoiding fee disputes with clients helps maintain…

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2021 Trends in Professional Liability Insurance

Together with the American Council of Engineering Companies, the National Society for Professional Engineers, and the American Institute of Architects, the AIA Trust participates in an annual insurance carrier interview and review of professional liability trends and risk management issues. Here’s a summary of the fall 2021 review.

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The Importance of Employee Benefits for Small Business

For small-business owners, the importance of employee benefits is a significant factor when it comes to attracting and retaining talent. The majority of workers prefer attractive types of employee benefits—like insurance, paid time off, and a retirement plan—over pay raises. Whether you’re competing for talent or keeping the high performers you already have, small-business employee…

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Optimize Your Savings in 2022

Most architects and their employees are actively contributing to a retirement plan. Regardless of your personal situation, it makes sense to review the type of retirement plan that you have as well as your individual savings plan for retirement to make sure that you are maximizing your potential savings. The type of retirement plan, investment…

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Meet the 2022 AIA Trust Chair

Amy Slattery, AIA, is the 2022 AIA Trust Chair. Amy is the Founder and CEO of Odimo, a growing architecture practice based in Kansas City, Missouri which received the 2019 AIA Kansas City Firm of the Year Award. Odimo was also a Top 10 Finalist for the Greater Kansas City Chamber Small Business of the…

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A New Sustainable Standard for Architects

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) is a system of criteria related to the environment, social equity, governance and supply chain practices that measure how investments and services can be scored and screened regarding sustainability. Why is this important  to you as a design professional? Let’s first define ESG.  The four components when considering ESG criteria…

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Do You Know?

Do you know that the importance of documentation cannot be overstated? From the outset of a project, it is important to have a signed written contract in place that clearly sets forth your scope of services, compensation, and anticipated schedule, as well as the legal terms and conditions governing your relationship with your client. State…

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