Page 154 - TCDB combined Book

130 The Complete DESIGN BUILDER

Building Design:

Professionals:

Whether through in-house capabilities or outside services the use of design professionals is
encouraged and recommended, regardless of project size or scope of work. In some cases the
local codes or jurisdiction will require the use of design professionals when applying for permits
and approvals. There are a number of methods in soliciting design services. Requesting formal
"Offers of Service" or direct contact with your professionals are common methods of building a
design team.

Preliminary design-work can be contracted on a fee structure that would be adjusted,
based on the final design-work being completed. The design input from professionals would assist
in preparation of a complete and accurate proposal. Your client will expect professional input to
solve specific design problems and this will add credibility to your company and overall
presentation. Although professionals may not be required to prepare and submit a proposal you
must be prepared to cover the additional costs of subsequent design information that was not
considered and also the possibility of including unnecessary or excessive costs.

Depending on the type and size of your project, you may consider the specialty as well as
the capability of your design professionals when building a design team. To avoid disappointments
in design results it is recommended that you specify a clear mandate and scope for all design
service requests. The project Outline Specifications and any drawings or other pertinent
information must be relayed to all concerned design professionals.

All contact with the client should be through your office. Controlling the design process is
imperative in ensuring compliance with your contract scope of work and budget. When holding
your design-team coordination meetings it is important to explain that all design-work be based
on your proposal scope of work and contract budget, rather than the final design being the basis
for arriving at the contract amount. When reviewing "Offer of Services" from professionals make
sure that site inspection fees are covered, with the associated per diem rate stated clearly.
Alternating design professionals is advisable and depending on the success rate of your proposals
a possible loss of interest by these professionals can be expected, should they be retained on a
reduced fee or contingency basis.