Poor Choices

It’s an infrequent mistake, but it happens: Consultants and projects are chosen unwisely, and the architect must assume responsibility for the consequences. In these two stories, those errors are about to doom the projects . . . until a second—extremely rare—phenomenon occurs: Fate steps in and saves the day. The odds of winning Lotto Max are about 33 million to one. The odds of your project being saved by blind luck are in about the same range.
Case Studies Podcast Client or Sub-contractor Relationship Management Clients Lawsuits

Client Demands

Many architects will tell you that some of their greatest professional rewards come from their relationships with their clients, working as a team toward a common goal. But occasionally, these relationships break down, and what starts out as professional affection deteriorates into outright animosity. It’s a fine idea to make friends of clients, and even clients of friends, but remember: business and friendship can sometimes make poor allies.
Case Studies Podcast Client or Sub-contractor Relationship Management Clients Lawsuits

Will your architectural documents help (or hinder) your defense?

Leslie Parker, Architectural Risk Advisor, shares her perspectives on how claims might be avoided through a better risk management system.
Thought Leadership Claims Construction / Construction Management Documentation / Contracts Review

Unchecked Qualifications

“Trust but verify” is a diplomatic term that applies just as well to architectural practice. Give your team members enough space to exercise their own skills, but always maintain a discreet watchful eye. Lack of professional oversight contributes to several problems, and those problems lead to claims.
Case Studies Podcast Qualifications Team Management

A Claim in Four Figures

We’re introducing a new series that aims to provide a crisp, clear and numbers-driven claim situation. Kicking off the Claim in Four Figures series, is “The Square Footage Error.”
Case Studies Claims

Poor Site Planning

In architectural practice, boundaries are critical. There are physical boundaries, professional boundaries and, what might best be called aspirational boundaries. In this episode, boundaries are badly defined, ignored, stretched and transgressed. Abysmal record keeping only makes matters worse.
Case Studies Podcast Documentation / Contracts site plan