Risk Management.......
Summary
The Architectural Alliance Group offers risk management consulting services
regarding the mitigation of design and construction related defects. These
services generally include peer review of construction documents, building
code and accessibility analysis, contract review and
construction observations.
In addition to limiting the risk exposure of design and construction
professionals, these services mitigate potential damages caused by historically
repeated defects.
Peer Review
Professional Peer Reviews are typically performed throughout the design
development process of a project in order to mitigate and in many cases
eliminated the potential for design related defect claims. The errors and
omissions of architects and engineers are often called into question when
damages and or failures are observed. Historically the majority of defects
identified include lack of detailing or improper detailing regarding the
building envelope components. Additional areas however include
non-compatibility of differing materials, insufficient information and lack of
proper coordination between disciplines.
Although the damages and failures caused by the design deficiencies can be
corrected once identified, it is extremely costly and typically results in legal
claims against the design professionals. The best time to mitigate these
potential deficiencies is during the design development phase. Third party
peer reviews is a highly recognized approach in ensuring that adequate and
proper detailing and information is contained within the construction documents.
Whether retained by the Owner, Developer, Architect-of-Record or General
Contractor, The Architectural Alliance Group will work closely with all parties
while evaluating the project documents. The AAG team will review the
construction documents for quality control, constructability, coordination and
code compliancy. When requested, AAG will review for compliance with the
owner's Program Plan to ensure that all of the needs are incorporated into the
design intent. Upon completion, AAG will prepare a report along with the
noted drawings, and submit to the parties for review.
The Architectural Alliance Group brings extensive experience in evaluation and
analysis of design and construction related defects. This experience
provides for a broad knowledge base of the most common deficiencies associated
with defect claims. AAG's review will provide numerous benefits to the
parties such as mitigating the potential for an errors and omission claim,
ensuring that the design team is conforming with the standard of care, and
better preparing the parties in the event a claim occurs.
Building Code and Accessibility Analysis
Throughout the design development process of any project, building code
compliancy is extremely vital to maintaining a projects' budget and schedule.
Non-compliant issues can cause costly delays during the permitting process and
in the field. Understanding the codes, their intent and acceptable
interpretations will greatly reduce unnecessary delays and potential claims.
The Architectural Alliance Group provides building plan review services on a
variety of levels. AAG works with Building Owner, Developers, Architects
and Contractors performing complete plan review services to evaluating isolated
issues.
Complete plan review services typically include a thorough review during each
phase of the Design Development process. A report outlining the noted
deficiencies will be developed for each individual discipline and submitted to
the client. When requested, AAG will provide design alternatives,
developing compliant solutions. This review will cover the code references
adopted by the particular jurisdiction and will include accessibility
requirements and local amendments if necessary.
Along with the basic review services provided, AAG will also perform a
comprehensive accessibility review. AAG has had extensive experience
regarding ADA requirements for new facilities and in upgrading existing
buildings. AAG is well versed in various accessibility guidelines including CABO/ANSI
A117.1, ICC/ANSI A!!7.1, Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards and the
American with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines.
The Architectural Alliance Group also provides code consulting services on an
as-needed basis. It is sometimes necessary to develop alternative methods
due to complex situations regarding existing conditions. it is not always
possible to modify the existing conditions in such a manner that the final
product will reflect the exact or most common interpretation of the code.
When these situations arise, AAG will work closely with the client and governing
authorities to develop a compliant, creative solution.
Contract Review
Most design and construction professionals have some practical experience in
Contract Management. This experience typically includes the drafting of
the Agreement, negotiating and executing the terms and conditions. It is
far too common however for most professionals to either develop a custom form
agreement once for a specific project and then continue to use it for each
additional project that comes in the door or, to utilize an inappropriate
standard form agreement as published by various organizations. In either
case, the risk exposure for the professional tends to be "out-of-balance" with
the project type.
The Architectural Alliance Group offers Contract Review services to design and
construction professionals to provide assistance and advice on effective
Contract Management methods, mitigation of potential claims for breaching
implied warranties and to minimize contractual liability exposures.
The Architectural Alliance Group will meet with the client to discuss the
parameters of the project and the professionals' scope-of-work required and to
provide recommendations regarding project delivery methods, appropriate standard
form agreements, questionable contract language and limits of liability.
Construction Observations
The construction observation / inspection process is historically one of a
"team" concept. The common understanding is that observations and
inspections of a typical project would be performed by various parties including
architects and engineers, contractors, building department inspectors, testing
and observation agencies and when required, special inspectors. Although
it appears that the observation and inspection process should be well covered,
it has become all too common for certain areas of the construction process to be
overlooked, resulting in substandard work and eventual damage to the building.
This typically results in multiple claims being filed, with each party pointing
the finger at another.
The basic premise of the "team" concept for observations and inspections is
appropriate and up until recently, has provided a system of checks-and-balances
that ensured that the final constructed product was in conformance with the
approved construction documents. However, given the enormous number of
legal claims associated with construction defects, it is obvious that the team
concept has diminished, resulting in timely and costly claims.
The Architectural Alliance Group will provide the necessary assistance to bring
the "team" concept back to life to ensure that the final product is constructed
in conformance with the approved construction documents. This assistance
starts with scheduling a pre-construction meeting with all of the parties and
establishing specific guidelines regarding the observation and inspection
process. AAG will assist in establishing where special inspections and
material testing services may be required. AAG will also coordinated the
efforts between all of the parties to ensure that all observations, testing and
findings have been properly documented and routed to the appropriate parties.
When necessary, The Architectural Alliance Group will develop corrective
measures for nonconforming conditions.
AAG's reports are well documented including photographs and when necessary,
video documentation.
The Construction Observation oversight services offered by AAG will ensure that
all areas of the construction process will follow the necessary protocol to not
only ensure conformance with the approved plans and specifications but will also
mitigate the potential for construction defect claims.
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