Long time lurker here. I’m been working in the field for 8 years now and a licensed architect in Washington state for the past 4 years. I was offered a promotion at my current firm where, as part of the job description, it stated I would be expected to sign some documents on behalf of the firm (letter proposals, pay apps, substantial completion, etc). The firm’s partners still stamp all drawings and sign the AIA owner/arch agreements. A few questions:
1. Can anyone besides the signatory of the AIA owner/arch agreement even sign ASI’s, pay apps, or a cert of substantial completion? I suppose it may be allowed if I was listed as an ‘agent’ of my firm in the owner/arch contract.
2. Would I be opening myself up to any major liability by doing this or am I being overly cautious?
senjohnblutarsky
Jun 28, 19 7:11 am
If your name is on anything, you’ll be deposed in a lawsuit. Ultimately, they’re going to sue the company and whoever sealed the documents. You might catch some flak for signing a pay request that wasn’t accurate. Aside from that, you’re acting on behalf of the company. Unless your state or the contract states otherwise, there shouldn’t be anything preventing you from signing things.
Non Sequitur
Jun 28, 19 7:35 am
we let anyone who’s active on a project sign SI, CCN, progress draw reviews, etc. Same with shop drawing reviews and initials on CDs. Gives people a sense of indépendance and ownership instead of always having to chase a senior staff.
If shit hits the legal fan, then the axe falls on the equity partners. If shit hits the fan on site, then whoever signed the doc gets to answer.
mightyaa
Jun 28, 19 10:37 am
what NS said... If shit hits the fan legally, you might get called as a 'factual witness'; not a big deal, just you telling a bunch of attorneys how shit went down and chain of events. It's the firm that is on the line if they pursue a case against the architect.
axonapoplectic
Jun 29, 19 8:08 pm
in my office ownership signs Certificate of occupancy/substantial completion and anything that requires a stamp. Anyone doing CA can stamp submittals. Project manager signs proposals, CCDs/ASIs, and pay reqs.
bowling_ball
Jun 30, 19 1:20 am
At my firm, staff can sign everything other than what's required to be signed by a principal, according to either the architect's association or insurance. In other words, it's always going to vary by region and firm.
I can't speak for the legal ins and outs in your jurisdiction, but it's unlikely that anything you'd be signing (as you describe) would put you at risk, outside of maybe getting fired if you screw up royally. If you're being asked to sign documents on behalf of the firm, that's a sign that they trust your judgment.
Long time lurker here. I’m been working in the field for 8 years now and a licensed architect in Washington state for the past 4 years. I was offered a promotion at my current firm where, as part of the job description, it stated I would be expected to sign some documents on behalf of the firm (letter proposals, pay apps, substantial completion, etc). The firm’s partners still stamp all drawings and sign the AIA owner/arch agreements. A few questions:
1. Can anyone besides the signatory of the AIA owner/arch agreement even sign ASI’s, pay apps, or a cert of substantial completion? I suppose it may be allowed if I was listed as an ‘agent’ of my firm in the owner/arch contract.
2. Would I be opening myself up to any major liability by doing this or am I being overly cautious?
If your name is on anything, you’ll be deposed in a lawsuit. Ultimately, they’re going to sue the company and whoever sealed the documents. You might catch some flak for signing a pay request that wasn’t accurate. Aside from that, you’re acting on behalf of the company. Unless your state or the contract states otherwise, there shouldn’t be anything preventing you from signing things.
we let anyone who’s active on a project sign SI, CCN, progress draw reviews, etc. Same with shop drawing reviews and initials on CDs. Gives people a sense of indépendance and ownership instead of always having to chase a senior staff.
If shit hits the legal fan, then the axe falls on the equity partners. If shit hits the fan on site, then whoever signed the doc gets to answer.
what NS said... If shit hits the fan legally, you might get called as a 'factual witness'; not a big deal, just you telling a bunch of attorneys how shit went down and chain of events. It's the firm that is on the line if they pursue a case against the architect.
in my office ownership signs Certificate of occupancy/substantial completion and anything that requires a stamp. Anyone doing CA can stamp submittals. Project manager signs proposals, CCDs/ASIs, and pay reqs.
At my firm, staff can sign everything other than what's required to be signed by a principal, according to either the architect's association or insurance. In other words, it's always going to vary by region and firm.
I can't speak for the legal ins and outs in your jurisdiction, but it's unlikely that anything you'd be signing (as you describe) would put you at risk, outside of maybe getting fired if you screw up royally. If you're being asked to sign documents on behalf of the firm, that's a sign that they trust your judgment.