Engineers Contracted Directly to Owner?

Log Out | Topics | Search Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Author Message Loretta Sheridan Senior Member Username: leshrdn Post Number: 171 Registered: 11-2021 Posted on Friday, November 15, 2024 - 11:01 am:    I am a specification writer working for an architectural firm, and I am working on specifications for a project for a private company. Some of the consultants are contracted directly to the Owner, and not through us. I have never, ever, ever been asked to include specs from consultants contracted to the Owner in the project manual that we (as the AOR) are producing before. FWIW, I am not sure how the permitting process is being done. What are your thoughts? Nathan Woods, RA, CSI, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: nwoods Post Number: 935 Registered: 08-2005 Posted on Friday, November 15, 2024 - 12:03 pm:    I assume you don't typically edit consultant specs, even if under direct contract, so in terms of physically incorporating them, nothing really changes. I would include a page in the front of the manual, immediately after the table contents, that says something to the effect that the listed sections below were prepared by others and not under the supervision or control of the architect of record, and are included in the project manual by Owner request for convenience, or to facilitate construction, or words to that effect. As my favorite lawyer used to say, "It doesn't really matter what you write, as long as you write something. I can tell the court what it means :-)" Edward R Heinen CSI CDT CCS LEED-AP Senior Member Username: edwardheinen Post Number: 24 Registered: 04-2022 Posted on Friday, November 15, 2024 - 12:25 pm:    For comparison, where I practice, often civil engineers are hired directly by owner. The main purpose there is risk management. Since these are soft-costs, I doubt the reason is related to cost-control. I'm thinking Owner may hire design consultants (signing and non-signing) to perform services at their discretion. The regulatory side will have its own requirements. There could be some confusion, but doubt any major conflicts. As for project manual, I've had only minor issues related to coordination and communication, but not cooperation. Gaps and overlaps in authoring scope are typical. As AIA recommends, the Architect performs the overall coordination of their consultants, whereas their consultants in turn coordinate with other consultants. So the dynamic changes a bit. Ideally, contracts should be aligned, and responsibilities for standard-of-care should be understood by stakeholders. I always do at least a cursory review of specs authored by others, and speak up if something jumps out.