Complex House
Complex House
(OP)
I was approached to do engineering on easily a million dollar home by a guy acting as his own contractor. I saw the 'internet bought' plans and kindly told him to hire an architect and a builder. I also said that I was not interested in the project.
He replied back that I was highly recommended by a close friend (I have done business with the close friend) and that he wants me to reconsider, and that "I understand the risk you foresee, but I assure you our Christian upbringing and nature does not lend itself to a litigious society."
Would you reconsider, or run even faster away?
He replied back that I was highly recommended by a close friend (I have done business with the close friend) and that he wants me to reconsider, and that "I understand the risk you foresee, but I assure you our Christian upbringing and nature does not lend itself to a litigious society."
Would you reconsider, or run even faster away?






RE: Complex House
RE: Complex House
Now on a side note. if you sign/create a contract that states you will engineer per the provided plans and hold no liability for the project and offer CA services on a cost plus basis to be paid monthly.... then you should be safe. have a lawyer look at your contract if you don't have a similar contract on hand. Be careful and do it all in writing just in case his christian upbringing didn't have a focus on construction practices.
RE: Complex House
RE: Complex House
He wanted to know if I could lay out the footings with him (he being manual labor) Hard to lay out the footings when there are no footing drawings.
I have told him no thanks again, I think its a train wreck in the works.
RE: Complex House
if he's someone you don't know, and don't care about, stop the conversation.
if he's someone you don't trust (and implying that your "upbringing and nature does not lend itself to a litigious society." sends alarm bells off), why ask the question ? run like heck ! if the project goes "pearshaped" and he's into it for $1m, i don't think he's going to put it down to experience and "should've listened"; i reckon (without knowing the guy) he'd say "someone else is to blame".
Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati
RE: Complex House
RE: Complex House
I once heard from another structural engineer friend of mine who had done some work for a local pastor, who later refused to pay him, claiming his work was a "donation". No reason to doubt him. Nothing sort of larceny in my opinion.
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Complex House
Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati
RE: Complex House
I think you cannot write a contract to protect you from accusations of failure to do due vigilance, or to only act in the client's interest.
Michael.
"Science adjusts its views based on what's observed. Faith is the denial of observation so that belief can be preserved." ~ Tim Minchin
RE: Complex House
RE: Complex House
I also agree with others that my worst experience with not being paid on a project involved a religious institution.
RE: Complex House
RE: Complex House
Maine EIT, Civil/Structural.
RE: Complex House
That is my absolute, hands-down favourite movie of all time. I make references to the movie often but rarely do people pick up on them. I always giggle to myself ragardless.
RE: Complex House
RE: Complex House
internet plans + homeowner contractor is a bad combination.
Try to idiot proof the design as much as possible.
RE: Complex House
We were stuck with the unfortunate situation of either walking from the project, hurting our image and the success of the project, or do the changes for no additional cost as we didn't get the client to commit to musts vs wants early on and the client couldn't afford the cost of a change order but "really, really needed to move that column over" or something similar.
Maine EIT, Civil/Structural.
RE: Complex House
RE: Complex House
RE: Complex House
You typically get what you pay for. I doubt these plans went for 3% of that 1M$ (or whatever % is common wherever he is located). Probably not even close to .3%
RE: Complex House
They also were dated 2007.
This guy is going to end up with a bad product, even if he ends up being a great 'do it yourself contractor'.
I also was assured the truss package was in best hands...home depot and Menards.
RE: Complex House
I would sell a home "by owner", but I wouldn't build one.
RE: Complex House
My office always passes on these plans as whomever takes on the job turns in to the officially unofficial architect - Stay Away!!!!
RE: Complex House
On the bright side, you will probably get paid a sizable fee and the home will never be built since the construction budget will be twice what he thinks.
RE: Complex House