I guess those are some concerns. Can you really be held liable for a fire if you meet the fire code?

I don't think I understand how my exposure would be any different by stamping the plans. If they are going to sue the architect in that situation they are also going to sue the homeowner.

I'm assuming here that you could make an error which was overlooked by permit department, if the worse were to happen, you could be held accountable for said error (whatever it is) if damages occur.  

Many ifs in here.  In my jurisdiction, a stamp comes with mandatory insurance so it's not a situation I've ever seen.

That's a good point, I can't trust anyone.

Then you can't trust us and shouldn't be asking us for advice . . .

I do require a stamp because I'm doing structural calculations. However, they are simple enough that I feel comfortable doing them myself.

Are you a structural engineer? If stamping structural calculations as an Architect is allowed, I'm not aware of it.

I'm just looking at the requirements for my jurisdiction. I can't comment on what is usual everywhere else. Why wouldn't they let an architect stamp structural calcs for a SFH?

...

However, in most states, an architect is required to stamp drawings for any drawings submitted for permits or used for construction. That, you should know, already, tduds.

Superfluous_Squirrel, it is not the building department but the licensing boards and their turf wars between other professions like some states prohibits engineers practicing architecture unless licensed as one... regardless if it is incidental or not to their engineering work. Likewise, that may be reciprocated with engineering boards and their laws and rules prohibiting architects from engaging in what constitutes practice of engineering, regardless if it is incidental or not and regardless of project size.

Not all states exempts SFRs under the engineering title/practice statutes and associated administrative rules.

tduds, it was part of the negotiations when archs were angling for licensure reqs back in the day. engineers only signed off if they could do work sans architect under certain conditions and vice versa. the specifics aren't in my brain

That's a moving target from state to state as some states are more strict regarding the 'overlap' of practice between architects & engineers. At least a few states practically prohibit such overlap and must only work within their domain. It comes down to those negotiations that changes over time.

fyi; doesn't matter if you stamped or not in a civil suit. You are still a licensed architect and required to act like it. Your stamp doesn't 'make you' licensed ONLY when you use it.

Sue yourself? Is it possible?

Checks deductible... tempting.

M'erica

CA does, for example

My jurisdiction does require a stamp even if exempt, however it doesn't require insurance. Go figure.

That is wild, with the exception of larger SFDs and mid-large commercial I so very rarely see a stamp on anything in my jurisdiction. I had one "architectural designer" who applied for a commercial kitchen installation and she was able to get her permit.

OR has a sim. requirement for State License holders to stamp their work on exempt projects-

I agree with Donna. You are no more or less liable to be sued in any real world scenario. Have some confidence in your skills. A plaintiff has to establish the gross negligence; you don't have to disprove it

Damn Donna. Curious if you're saying that primarily because of the scale of the project (small res), the fact that the client and arch are the same person, or something else?

I agree, so long as you utilize language in a contract, that closely resembles the AIA agreements, then most insurance - for small scale projects is not warranted. My contracts have the standard arbitration clauses, and even if it did approach something like arbitration, you have a few things going for you; I don't build, and is the standard care of service in line with generally acceptable practice - or something to that effect.

Bench, I confess I didn’t read the whole thread, but almost all single family residential doesn’t need a stamp in the US. So why stamp and  give yourself such angst over nothing?! But I see s/he says the structural engineering needs to be stamped. So, fine, yes stamp it. And do it right do you don’t have to worry about it.