Design Build Archives

The Temptation to Cut Corners on Insurance

By Lynda

wood-jetty-landing-stage-sea When it comes to insurance, cutting costs without determining the risks can leave your design firm vulnerable. In a recent IA Magazine article called Are Your A&E Clients Cutting Coverage Corners?, editor Jacquelyn Connelly outlines three crucial “coverage developments” pertinent to architects and engineers:

Cyber liability
Design-build contracts
Stricter insurance requirements

These categories are rapidly changing and expanding. Knowing where the risk comes from isn’t always clear. Design firms, especially a small ones, can easily underestimate their exposure. Connelly quotes Barbara Sable, assistant vice president of the RLI Design Professionals Program (an a/e ProNet sponsor):

“Even the smallest of A&E firms—which often are buying insurance because they’re contractually obligated to, not because they perceive any real exposure—can be in the wrong place at the wrong time. For example, a small A&E firm may be responsible for the maintenance of traffic on roadways or bridges. In the event of an accident, “they may be one of the deepest pockets available associated with that crash.”

We encourage you to read the full article and consider your own firm’s professional liability coverage today. If you have questions about whether your limits are adequate, be sure to contact your local a/e ProNet broker and ask. That’s what we’re here for.

Blog Love: ConstructionRisk.com on YouTube

By Lynda

Tired of reading article after newsletter after white paper after blog post on risk management? (We hope not! But just in case…) Here’s another option:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2ioR9X05Qo]

Longtime a/e ProNet affiliate Kent Holland of ConstructionRisk, LLC has translated his impressive catalog of resources into a series of short videos available on the ConstructionRisk.com YouTube Channel.

“If you’re involved in the construction project, whether as a contractor, a designer, or a project owner, you will get real benefit from the practical ideas, suggestions, and law presented in these videos.”

A few of the playlists available now:

J. Kent Holland is a construction lawyer located in Tysons Corner, Virginia, representing design professionals, contractors, and project owners.

Don’t forget the popcorn!

Project Delivery Methods: A New Video CE Series from aecKnowledge

By Lynda

Partnering with aecKnowledge, one of the nation’s premiere sources of relevant and practical online continuing education for design professionals, a/e ProNet has sponsored a new video series on Project Delivery Methods.

This 5-part series is the culmination of a decade-long look at the exploration and evolution of alternative methods of project delivery. It will help you in your efforts to advise owners on making informed decisions about which project delivery option is most appropriate for each project. Choosing the most appropriate method helps align stakeholders’ goals relative to quality, schedule and cost control, decision-making and risk management, and leverages the skills, knowledge and resources available to each team member. Click here to watch a preview of this series, at no charge.

You will also earn 5 HSW Learning Units and, if you are an AIA member, your AIA credits will be automatically reported after you complete each course.

Purchase the courses in this series following these steps:

1. Register on the aecKnowledge website
2. Go to the Continuing Education module
3. On the right hand side, you will see Suggested Curricula. Click on Project Delivery.
4. Proceed to purchase each of the five courses.

If your insurance broker is a member of a/e ProNet, you are entitled to a 20% discount off of the lowest course prices available to anyone else. Contact your a/e ProNet broker today for the discount code.

Whether you are an architect, engineer, contractor, specialty consultant, owner, CM or advisor, these courses will enable you to make informed decisions about which project delivery method will best achieve your goals and, ultimately, create a better built environment. On behalf of a/e ProNet, we hope you find the Project Delivery Methods video series valuable.