When Water Flows Uphill

The Claims-Free Architect: Season 3, Episode 13

What sort of problems arise when Architects and Engineers are unfamiliar with the physical context of a building site? How can they work together to ensure that things such as site drainage are adequately dealt with?

When Architects fail to familiarize themselves with existing site conditions, they and their consultants may be designing in a bubble. In this case, the site grading drawings were fine, but failed to note that the site was at the foot of a hill. Flooding was inevitable.



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Welcome to The Claims-Free Architect, the podcast that helps architects sidestep insurance claims, learning crucial lessons from our 6000+ past insurance claims.

Season 3 is rebranded from Architects Claims Stories in Seasons 1 and 2, brimming with new situations, predicaments and projects that architects find themselves in and need to extricate themselves from.

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General disclaimer

The contents of this PDF are derived from a website and offer information for general purposes only. The material presented does not establish, report or create the standard of care for Ontario architects. The information is by necessity generalized and an abridged account of the matters described. It should in no way be construed as legal or insurance advice and should not be relied on as such. Readers are cautioned to refer specific questions to their own lawyer or professional advisors. Efforts have been made to assure accuracy of any referenced material at time of publication; however, no reliance may be placed on such references. Readers must carry out their own due diligence. Professional Liability Insurance provides valuable coverages and benefits however does not cover everything. Please refer to the Policy wordings for specific coverages, benefits, exclusions and limitations. This PDF should not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means without written permission of Pro–Demnity Insurance Company. Please contact mail@prodemnity.com. 
 

Too Wood To Be True

The Claims-Free Architect: Season 3, Episode 12

How can a simple typographical error in a millwork order lead to a financial and logistical nightmare, not to mention the heartbreak of trashing 180 custom-made cabinets? 

Architects don’t normally assume responsibility for ordering interior furnishings and fittings. But when they do, they should follow quality assurance protocols.



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Welcome to The Claims-Free Architect, the podcast that helps architects sidestep insurance claims, learning crucial lessons from our 6000+ past insurance claims.

Season 3 is rebranded from Architects Claims Stories in Seasons 1 and 2, brimming with new situations, predicaments and projects that architects find themselves in and need to extricate themselves from.

Did you listen to the podcast? Share your feedback.

Podcast feedback

General disclaimer

The contents of this PDF are derived from a website and offer information for general purposes only. The material presented does not establish, report or create the standard of care for Ontario architects. The information is by necessity generalized and an abridged account of the matters described. It should in no way be construed as legal or insurance advice and should not be relied on as such. Readers are cautioned to refer specific questions to their own lawyer or professional advisors. Efforts have been made to assure accuracy of any referenced material at time of publication; however, no reliance may be placed on such references. Readers must carry out their own due diligence. Professional Liability Insurance provides valuable coverages and benefits however does not cover everything. Please refer to the Policy wordings for specific coverages, benefits, exclusions and limitations. This PDF should not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means without written permission of Pro–Demnity Insurance Company. Please contact mail@prodemnity.com. 
 

A Spot of Mould

The Claims-Free Architect: Season 3, Episode 11

When experts with questionable incentives make a simple problem worse by recommending drastic solutions, who is responsible for picking up the tab?

You’ll learn how a faulty valve caused major water damage to a new building. And when a toxic mould infestation ensued, “experts” were called in to assess the damage. This led to a costly legal battle.



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Captions available on podcast platforms.

Welcome to The Claims-Free Architect, the podcast that helps architects sidestep insurance claims, learning crucial lessons from our 6000+ past insurance claims.

Season 3 is rebranded from Architects Claims Stories in Seasons 1 and 2, brimming with new situations, predicaments and projects that architects find themselves in and need to extricate themselves from.

Did you listen to the podcast? Share your feedback.

Podcast feedback

General disclaimer

The contents of this PDF are derived from a website and offer information for general purposes only. The material presented does not establish, report or create the standard of care for Ontario architects. The information is by necessity generalized and an abridged account of the matters described. It should in no way be construed as legal or insurance advice and should not be relied on as such. Readers are cautioned to refer specific questions to their own lawyer or professional advisors. Efforts have been made to assure accuracy of any referenced material at time of publication; however, no reliance may be placed on such references. Readers must carry out their own due diligence. Professional Liability Insurance provides valuable coverages and benefits however does not cover everything. Please refer to the Policy wordings for specific coverages, benefits, exclusions and limitations. This PDF should not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means without written permission of Pro–Demnity Insurance Company. Please contact mail@prodemnity.com. 
 

Fallen Wall

The Claims-Free Architect: Season 3, Episode 10

When a major building component, such as an exterior wall, fails during construction, who was supposed to check the shop drawings?

The cause of the near-tragedy becomes obvious, only after the wall has fallen over – it hadn’t been tied into the structure. You’ll learn how dereliction of duty triggered a catastrophic series of events.



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Captions available on podcast platforms.

Welcome to The Claims-Free Architect, the podcast that helps architects sidestep insurance claims, learning crucial lessons from our 6000+ past insurance claims.

Season 3 is rebranded from Architects Claims Stories in Seasons 1 and 2, brimming with new situations, predicaments and projects that architects find themselves in and need to extricate themselves from.

Did you listen to the podcast? Share your feedback.

Podcast feedback

General disclaimer

The contents of this PDF are derived from a website and offer information for general purposes only. The material presented does not establish, report or create the standard of care for Ontario architects. The information is by necessity generalized and an abridged account of the matters described. It should in no way be construed as legal or insurance advice and should not be relied on as such. Readers are cautioned to refer specific questions to their own lawyer or professional advisors. Efforts have been made to assure accuracy of any referenced material at time of publication; however, no reliance may be placed on such references. Readers must carry out their own due diligence. Professional Liability Insurance provides valuable coverages and benefits however does not cover everything. Please refer to the Policy wordings for specific coverages, benefits, exclusions and limitations. This PDF should not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means without written permission of Pro–Demnity Insurance Company. Please contact mail@prodemnity.com. 
 

I Want What I Want

The Claims-Free Architect: Season 3, Episode 9

If an Architect provides better quality cladding materials than those the client requested, can the Client order those materials to be replaced at the Architect’s expense? 

You’ll learn that unreasonable clients and guilt-ridden architects can make strange bedfellows and their relationship dynamics may lead to unnecessarily expensive lawsuits.



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Captions available on podcast platforms.

Welcome to The Claims-Free Architect, the podcast that helps architects sidestep insurance claims, learning crucial lessons from our 6000+ past insurance claims.

Season 3 is rebranded from Architects Claims Stories in Seasons 1 and 2, brimming with new situations, predicaments and projects that architects find themselves in and need to extricate themselves from.

Did you listen to the podcast? Share your feedback.

Podcast feedback

General disclaimer

The contents of this PDF are derived from a website and offer information for general purposes only. The material presented does not establish, report or create the standard of care for Ontario architects. The information is by necessity generalized and an abridged account of the matters described. It should in no way be construed as legal or insurance advice and should not be relied on as such. Readers are cautioned to refer specific questions to their own lawyer or professional advisors. Efforts have been made to assure accuracy of any referenced material at time of publication; however, no reliance may be placed on such references. Readers must carry out their own due diligence. Professional Liability Insurance provides valuable coverages and benefits however does not cover everything. Please refer to the Policy wordings for specific coverages, benefits, exclusions and limitations. This PDF should not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means without written permission of Pro–Demnity Insurance Company. Please contact mail@prodemnity.com. 
 

It Takes a Spark

The Claims-Free Architect: Season 3, Episode 8

When a recently renovated, beloved heritage building burns to the ground with no discernible cause, who is responsible?

Even forensic fire experts may have trouble pinpointing the cause of a fire, but if the architects are contracted to perform site reviews, they will be in the “line of fire,” regardless of the actual source of the original spark. There are, however, precautions that Architects can take to mitigate the risks. 



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Captions available on podcast platforms.

Welcome to The Claims-Free Architect, the podcast that helps architects sidestep insurance claims, learning crucial lessons from our 6000+ past insurance claims.

Season 3 is rebranded from Architects Claims Stories in Seasons 1 and 2, brimming with new situations, predicaments and projects that architects find themselves in and need to extricate themselves from.

Did you listen to the podcast? Share your feedback.

Podcast feedback

General disclaimer

The contents of this PDF are derived from a website and offer information for general purposes only. The material presented does not establish, report or create the standard of care for Ontario architects. The information is by necessity generalized and an abridged account of the matters described. It should in no way be construed as legal or insurance advice and should not be relied on as such. Readers are cautioned to refer specific questions to their own lawyer or professional advisors. Efforts have been made to assure accuracy of any referenced material at time of publication; however, no reliance may be placed on such references. Readers must carry out their own due diligence. Professional Liability Insurance provides valuable coverages and benefits however does not cover everything. Please refer to the Policy wordings for specific coverages, benefits, exclusions and limitations. This PDF should not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means without written permission of Pro–Demnity Insurance Company. Please contact mail@prodemnity.com. 
 

Undercurrent

The Claims-Free Architect: Season 3, Episode 7

What happens when a project is designed and engineered based on a subsoils report created for another site, with wildly different conditions?

Adjacent sites may appear almost identical above grade, and yet have radically different subsoil conditions. It can be a false economy—and potentially catastrophic—to forgo a proper soils report specific to your site and instead base your design on unfounded assumptions.



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Captions available on podcast platforms.

Welcome to The Claims-Free Architect, the podcast that helps architects sidestep insurance claims, learning crucial lessons from our 6000+ past insurance claims.

Season 3 is rebranded from Architects Claims Stories in Seasons 1 and 2, brimming with new situations, predicaments and projects that architects find themselves in and need to extricate themselves from.

Did you listen to the podcast? Share your feedback.

Podcast feedback

General disclaimer

The contents of this PDF are derived from a website and offer information for general purposes only. The material presented does not establish, report or create the standard of care for Ontario architects. The information is by necessity generalized and an abridged account of the matters described. It should in no way be construed as legal or insurance advice and should not be relied on as such. Readers are cautioned to refer specific questions to their own lawyer or professional advisors. Efforts have been made to assure accuracy of any referenced material at time of publication; however, no reliance may be placed on such references. Readers must carry out their own due diligence. Professional Liability Insurance provides valuable coverages and benefits however does not cover everything. Please refer to the Policy wordings for specific coverages, benefits, exclusions and limitations. This PDF should not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means without written permission of Pro–Demnity Insurance Company. Please contact mail@prodemnity.com. 
 

Sham Chateau

The Claims-Free Architect: Season 3, Episode 6

Can an edifice of historical grandeur be replicated with inexpensive modern materials? And what if they haven’t been tested in Ontario’s harsh climatic conditions?

Agreeing to build a high-quality neoclassical masterpiece in the Ontario hinterlands, without the appropriately extravagant budget required, can only result in a deteriorating client relationship, and a dilapidated building.



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Captions available on podcast platforms.

Welcome to The Claims-Free Architect, the podcast that helps architects sidestep insurance claims, learning crucial lessons from our 6000+ past insurance claims.

Season 3 is rebranded from Architects Claims Stories in Seasons 1 and 2, brimming with new situations, predicaments and projects that architects find themselves in and need to extricate themselves from.

Did you listen to the podcast? Share your feedback.

Podcast feedback

General disclaimer

The contents of this PDF are derived from a website and offer information for general purposes only. The material presented does not establish, report or create the standard of care for Ontario architects. The information is by necessity generalized and an abridged account of the matters described. It should in no way be construed as legal or insurance advice and should not be relied on as such. Readers are cautioned to refer specific questions to their own lawyer or professional advisors. Efforts have been made to assure accuracy of any referenced material at time of publication; however, no reliance may be placed on such references. Readers must carry out their own due diligence. Professional Liability Insurance provides valuable coverages and benefits however does not cover everything. Please refer to the Policy wordings for specific coverages, benefits, exclusions and limitations. This PDF should not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means without written permission of Pro–Demnity Insurance Company. Please contact mail@prodemnity.com. 
 

Cutting Corners

The Claims-Free Architect: Season 3, Episode 5

Can an architect successfully create a modern glass building on a tight budget by cutting corners on materials and detailing, or will such compromises ultimately lead to costly failures and potential legal consequences?

Architects should never compromise on essential design elements and quality materials to cut costs, even for friends or to achieve a specific aesthetic. Attempting to create a high-end look with subpar materials and inadequate detailing will likely result in significant structural issues, costly repairs, and potential legal troubles, ultimately costing far more than the initial savings.



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Captions available on podcast platforms.

Welcome to The Claims-Free Architect, the podcast that helps architects sidestep insurance claims, learning crucial lessons from our 6000+ past insurance claims.

Season 3 is rebranded from Architects Claims Stories in Seasons 1 and 2, brimming with new situations, predicaments and projects that architects find themselves in and need to extricate themselves from.

Did you listen to the podcast? Share your feedback.

Podcast feedback

General disclaimer

The contents of this PDF are derived from a website and offer information for general purposes only. The material presented does not establish, report or create the standard of care for Ontario architects. The information is by necessity generalized and an abridged account of the matters described. It should in no way be construed as legal or insurance advice and should not be relied on as such. Readers are cautioned to refer specific questions to their own lawyer or professional advisors. Efforts have been made to assure accuracy of any referenced material at time of publication; however, no reliance may be placed on such references. Readers must carry out their own due diligence. Professional Liability Insurance provides valuable coverages and benefits however does not cover everything. Please refer to the Policy wordings for specific coverages, benefits, exclusions and limitations. This PDF should not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means without written permission of Pro–Demnity Insurance Company. Please contact mail@prodemnity.com. 
 

The Retirement Home

The Claims-Free Architect: Season 3, Episode 4

How do interpersonal conflicts, misunderstandings, and professional missteps in a construction project lead to unforeseen consequences and legal battles?

A construction project for a retirement home spirals into legal chaos due to interpersonal conflicts and contractual misunderstandings. This tale delves into the repercussions of professional missteps and the quest for resolution through mediation, offering insights into the construction industry’s pitfalls.



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Captions available on podcast platforms.

Welcome to The Claims-Free Architect, the podcast that helps architects sidestep insurance claims, learning crucial lessons from our 6000+ past insurance claims.

Season 3 is rebranded from Architects Claims Stories in Seasons 1 and 2, brimming with new situations, predicaments and projects that architects find themselves in and need to extricate themselves from.

Did you listen to the podcast? Share your feedback.

Podcast feedback

General disclaimer

The contents of this PDF are derived from a website and offer information for general purposes only. The material presented does not establish, report or create the standard of care for Ontario architects. The information is by necessity generalized and an abridged account of the matters described. It should in no way be construed as legal or insurance advice and should not be relied on as such. Readers are cautioned to refer specific questions to their own lawyer or professional advisors. Efforts have been made to assure accuracy of any referenced material at time of publication; however, no reliance may be placed on such references. Readers must carry out their own due diligence. Professional Liability Insurance provides valuable coverages and benefits however does not cover everything. Please refer to the Policy wordings for specific coverages, benefits, exclusions and limitations. This PDF should not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means without written permission of Pro–Demnity Insurance Company. Please contact mail@prodemnity.com.