Long Distance Architecture

[goalie13456]

Hello All,
I was wondering if anyone had any insight into the topic of long distance house plans. I was hired to create a set of house and construction plans. However, I am across the country. How would I release liability since I obviously will not be able to be there. Am I responsible for hiring another architect in the area of the house and engineer?
Thanks so much!

[lbuttery]

primarily depends on the laws of that state

call the permit office and discuss

yes, a contract can transfer/assign liability among equal parties or from a lessor party to a higher party
but rarely from a higher party to a lessor party

best to consult an attorney versed in construction law for that state

Lew

[goalie13456]

Thanks Lew. Really appreciate it.

[perryh]

There are a lot of people here that their business is doing just that.

[goalie13456]

I just do not want to be held liable for anything seeing as though I wont be able to be on site.

[Joe Carrick]

Where is the project?

[johnnyprc]

I work with a draftsman across the country, and I was surprised how different things are in certain spots of the country even though the IRC/IBC should make this more equitable. Where I am, the whole area is in seismic D0-D1 (IRC), and D in IBC. That difference is larger than I think people realize (who aren't in a like area). Also, I find the building departments in those areas give greater scrutiny to particular compliance issues.

A couple years ago I did a project in Missouri and I found the review process simple compared to that same project locally (Northwest).

[goalie13456]

The project is in Phoenix and I am in Buffalo

[lbuttery]

check this out:

http://phoenix.gov/webcms/groups/int..._pdf_00020.pdf

then check out the rest of the site:

http://phoenix.gov/pdd/topics/index.html

Phoenix requires all work to be done by a licensed contractor
so your contract with contractor should transfer liability to the contractor

my contract states that if the client prints the permit set then they have reviewed it
and found it acceptable

my contract also states that ALL info in the permit set was provided by the client
that my services were limited to organizing and presenting that info
"basically, we draw pretty pictures"....

my contract also states that we are NOT architects or engineers and that it is the
clients responsibility to comply with code

the client would be a contractor or a homeowner acting as GC

we would never work directly for a homeowner as a homeowner as
it is usually not legal to transfer liability to a "dumb howmeowner"

Lew

[johnnyprc]

Curious - are you an architect or designer?

What you should consider is to do all the architectural sheets, find a PE there in Phoenix to send your architectural, then have them wrap-up all structural and stamp the plans. Some PEs will stamp all the sheets, so you would probably be covered.

[lbuttery]

Johnny:

buidlers are allowed to sign/stamp and submit plans
we did a number of projects for new and remodel where there was no need to an engineer

but if we did need one they just signed/stamped their pages only

homeowners can sign/stamp their own plans also
but can expect "serious" review by the permit office

Lew