Series on Contracting with Consultants
Architecturally focused firms may directly contract with, or otherwise be required to coordinate with, a complete team comprising those other disciplines necessary for the project. The sum of fees associated with these “other” services can be as much as, or sometimes exceed those for, basic architectural services. Hence, smart architects pay close attention to the selection, retention, and management of these services. These articles by the AIA Risk Management Committee will provide initial guidance on the most essential topics for the architect’s consideration.
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Contracting with Consultants: Part 1, Introduction
Single-discipline architectural firms are predominant in the United States. As such, these firms typically rely on outside consulting firms to provide all other necessary design, documentation, and construction observations services to deliver a fully developed project.
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Contracting with Consultants: Part 2, Disciplines to Consider
The number of consultants and their respective competencies needed by architects will vary for each commission and can be grouped in four broad categories.
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Contracting with Consultants: Part 3, Selection Processes
Once the architect has determined the project scope and the necessary services to be provided, proper selection of the consulting team is essential to success.
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Contracting with Consultants: Part 4, Contracting Principles
This article will discuss basic contracting principles for your consideration as you undertake the process of subcontracting with specialty consultants.
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Contracting with Consultants: Part 5, Insurance
Insurance often confounds design professionals, but besides the consultants’ portfolio of project experience, it may be the most important consideration when selecting consultants.
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Contracting with Consultants: Part 6, Project Processes
When the architect creates a schedule, or plan, for invoicing, the architect must think about how and when each consultant will perform and invoice for services, and how the timing of those invoices will fit with the timing of the architect’s services and invoices.
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Contracting with Consultants: Part 7, Other Considerations
The time when the architect and consultant enter into an agreement is the ideal time to address attribution of credit and marketing or promotion of the project.
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