The practice of architecture can be extremely rewarding but like any profession, it must include attention to a host of various business and legal issues. For many architects, dealing with the myriad of requirements and the complexities they impose can be challenging. And a related subject that is often overlooked is ethics. In most instances,…
Read MoreTopic: Professional practice
If You Build It, They Will Sue: A Report on Condominium Project Risks
Architects are increasingly exposed to potential future claims and lawsuits brought by homeowners and the homeowners’ associations years after a condominium project has been completed. This can occur even when the project developer has overruled the architect’s design decisions or has a limited role in the construction phase of the project. The AIA Trust report…
Read MoreClaims Studies & Guides
Claims happen. It’s important to understand why, how to reduce your risks in advance of a potential claim, and how to handle one when you must. A general guide to assist the member in the handling of a claim, from anticipating, reporting & managing a claim, including utilizing pre-claim assistance, to defending against a claim,…
Read MoreDrone: Bird, Plane, Predator or Liability?
Unmanned aerial systems (more commonly known as drones) are soon to be an integral part of the design and construction industry. The U.S. Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) is moving forward on setting up general requirements and granting permits so that commercial entities can tap into the potential of drones for a broad range of observation…
Read MoreBlurring the Legal Concept of Intellectual Property
Increasingly, all project stakeholders will be challenged by the blending of design services related to the construction of a project. Projects on which the design is delegated to or assigned through those responsible for actual construction blur the lines of responsibility and confuse the ability to copyright information and designs as well as the responsibility…
Read MoreProfessional Service Firms Should Have Health and Safety Plans
Many professional service firms seem to think that health and safety rules are requirements for contractors and others performing construction work. Firms often are surprised or confused when a potential client requires that they submit their health and safety plans as a contractual requirement. All employers are responsible for the health and safety of their…
Read MoreEducational Opportunities
In cooperation with AIA/CES, the AIA Trust provides opportunities for AIA Members to earn learning units in the areas of firm management, risk management, and financial management based on the programs and educational resources that the AIA Trust offers. Self assessment tests The AIA Trust offers numerous self-assessment tests based on AIA Trust resources including…
Read MoreBusiness Owners Insurance
Almost every architectural firm or component office depends on some kind of specialized property to do business. Property coverage protects you against loss of or damage to essential pieces of your business such as valuable documents, laptops, or your place of business – because it only takes one disaster to wipe them out. Casualty coverage…
Read MoreProfessional Liability Insurance
While architects always try to do their best for their clients, mistakes happen. And in a litigious society, lawsuits have become an inevitability. Professional liability coverage not only pays judgment costs, it prepares you for a lawsuit by paying claims defense costs. Even fraudulent claims cost your firm money. The Victor & CNA program offers…
Read MoreWho Owns the Instruments of Service?
It is not uncommon for clients to request ownership of your plans and specifications. Corporate clients often assume they will somehow be of future value. Educational clients think they can create a database of project information that will help them reduce future costs. Agencies of government reason that the public, having paid for your services,…
Read MoreWho Owns the Instruments of Service?
