As an experienced draftsmen, is it practical to simply create existing condition drawings of residential rooms, i.e. bedrooms, basements, etc. for clients? I have no licence, only experience. The idea would be to draw up only what is visible on the surface. What would my limitations be without impeding on the responsibility of a licensed architect? What kind of lawyer can I consult for this specific matter?
Obviously I would have to take the initiative to see if there is a market in my area.
don't think you need any license to document existing conditions... although you likely will need something if the intent of the work is anything greater than rough concept design.
Place a disclaimer on the drawings stating that you performed a limited visual inspection of the existing conditions and that you did not do an extensive investigation into the existing conditions, systems, and assemblies. We do this all the time on verifying existing conditions.
That should cover you ass. It wouldn't be a bad idea to get liability insurance for the job though.
Jason, what you're describing are called "as-built" drawings, and accurate ones are very important for renovations and additions to all kinds of buildings. Most often they're floor and roof plans, though elevations and sections are helpful as well for others' design work.
Specialists who work only in this niche exist; clients would include architecture, design, and interiors firms and the occasional builder. No license would likely be needed, as Non Sequitur says. But you're smart to ponder the liability question-- most likely a boilerplate disclaimer on all files would take care of it, as Chad says. But, yes, an hour of a good attorney's time would be a smart investment here.
I would search the Archinect forums using that term, since this kind of work has been discussed here before.
Drafting residential existing floor plans
As an experienced draftsmen, is it practical to simply create existing condition drawings of residential rooms, i.e. bedrooms, basements, etc. for clients? I have no licence, only experience. The idea would be to draw up only what is visible on the surface. What would my limitations be without impeding on the responsibility of a licensed architect? What kind of lawyer can I consult for this specific matter?
Obviously I would have to take the initiative to see if there is a market in my area.
don't think you need any license to document existing conditions... although you likely will need something if the intent of the work is anything greater than rough concept design.
Place a disclaimer on the drawings stating that you performed a limited visual inspection of the existing conditions and that you did not do an extensive investigation into the existing conditions, systems, and assemblies. We do this all the time on verifying existing conditions.
That should cover you ass. It wouldn't be a bad idea to get liability insurance for the job though.
Jason, what you're describing are called "as-built" drawings, and accurate ones are very important for renovations and additions to all kinds of buildings. Most often they're floor and roof plans, though elevations and sections are helpful as well for others' design work.
Specialists who work only in this niche exist; clients would include architecture, design, and interiors firms and the occasional builder. No license would likely be needed, as Non Sequitur says. But you're smart to ponder the liability question-- most likely a boilerplate disclaimer on all files would take care of it, as Chad says. But, yes, an hour of a good attorney's time would be a smart investment here.
I would search the Archinect forums using that term, since this kind of work has been discussed here before.
Insurance is always a goo idea. Also creating an LLC would be prudent.
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