Practice Management Member Conversations

Does anyone have any experience in working with fire restoration companies and can offer some guidance? I am currently in the process of drafting up a proposal for a single family project, which has been damaged by fire. Project is in New York City and plans and architectural services will be required for the restoration, including special inspections. The restoration company wants to engage me to do the architectural services portion of the work. From my experience and knowledge, New York State Law mandates that architectural services contract is directly with a property owner. I am getting some pushback from the restoration company as they want to be the contact with the client and handle all fees and construction restoration operations including architect and his fees. 

My response has been that I do not mind if the restoration company handles all communication and process, as long as my contract is signed and executed by the owner and that it is understood that I am performing the project in the best interest of the owner and the property as far as compliance with code. 

Would appreciate if anyone has any experience with a similar situation or offer any input on ways to work with a third party company to provide architectural services to a property owner. 

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Arben Sela AIA
BuildPlus Architecture PLLC
West Nyack NY
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If the restoration company will be functioning as the contractor, they will be entering into a design-build relationship with the owner with you being the design consultant and architect of record for the restoration company. As long as the Agreement is okay with your attorney and insurance advisor, you should be good to go. The AIA has several template documents designed for this type of relationship to get you started.

Tim Pellowski, AIA


Original Message:
Sent: 11/27/2024 8:47:00 AM
From: Arben Sela AIA
Subject: Architectural services as part of a fire restoration project

Does anyone have any experience in working with fire restoration companies and can offer some guidance? I am currently in the process of drafting up a proposal for a single family project, which has been damaged by fire. Project is in New York City and plans and architectural services will be required for the restoration, including special inspections. The restoration company wants to engage me to do the architectural services portion of the work. From my experience and knowledge, New York State Law mandates that architectural services contract is directly with a property owner. I am getting some pushback from the restoration company as they want to be the contact with the client and handle all fees and construction restoration operations including architect and his fees. 

My response has been that I do not mind if the restoration company handles all communication and process, as long as my contract is signed and executed by the owner and that it is understood that I am performing the project in the best interest of the owner and the property as far as compliance with code. 

Would appreciate if anyone has any experience with a similar situation or offer any input on ways to work with a third party company to provide architectural services to a property owner. 

------------------------------
Arben Sela AIA
BuildPlus Architecture PLLC
West Nyack NY
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