Picking up where they left off
Picking up where they left off
(OP)
I have a client who wants to hire me to review a near completed rooftop deck installation. He is unable to reach to original engineer, the contractor made field changes under the direction of a second engineer, and then died. No one knows who this second engineer is. The original engineer is MIA.
It appears to be a relatively simple project, however, I am wondering how to approach this. It is unclear if I can simply review the project as a Construction Administration task for the Owner (acting as the Owner's Representative), or if this becomes an inappropriate use of someone else's plans. I do not want to "re-design" a 95% completed project. I also don't want to take on someone else's work, and then have extreme confusion over who is responsible (there may be a final affidavit).
Am I overthinking this? Should I run away screaming?
Thanks!
It appears to be a relatively simple project, however, I am wondering how to approach this. It is unclear if I can simply review the project as a Construction Administration task for the Owner (acting as the Owner's Representative), or if this becomes an inappropriate use of someone else's plans. I do not want to "re-design" a 95% completed project. I also don't want to take on someone else's work, and then have extreme confusion over who is responsible (there may be a final affidavit).
Am I overthinking this? Should I run away screaming?
Thanks!






RE: Picking up where they left off
another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?
RE: Picking up where they left off
At least then you can claim to "own" the design, but the client might not like the size of the fee...
Otherwise limit the review to a high level check and refuse to sign anything that looks like taking any actual responsibility for the design. And keep copies.
Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.
RE: Picking up where they left off
RE: Picking up where they left off
RE: Picking up where they left off
Your instance is a little different though as the contractor has made modifications to the original design. Very tricky because you don’t know what to review, or even if the work performed was correct. In this instance, doing some design work may be necessary.
Good Luck
RE: Picking up where they left off
If you do, a letter of agreement can be submitted to the local jurisdiction and you become the EOR.
If not, then, yes, a full analysis (not design - analysis - since it is 95% complete) of the project, based on what you know to exist, is in order here.
You could also take the stance too that what you cannot see, you cannot approve or be responsible for, but the local jurisdiction will not like that, obviously.
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Picking up where they left off
RE: Picking up where they left off
RE: Picking up where they left off
RE: Picking up where they left off
RE: Picking up where they left off
If they can be specific about the questions you are being asked, such as "Is this joist strong enough" or "Is this connection adequate", you might be able to just answer those very narrow questions without assuming liability for the entire structure.
However, if the most specific question they can ask you is "Is this deck adequate", the only thing to do is to check every member and connection.
My two cents.
RE: Picking up where they left off
Scenario 1: You look it over, things look ok, you sign off on it. Something is overlooked (perhaps because you were not involved from the beginning of the project) and everyone is pointing the finger at you.
Scenario 2: You observe something significant that must be corrected. With the job 95% complete, the owner and contractor are probably not going to be very receptive to your recommendations.
I suspect they are looking for a "plan stamper".
RE: Picking up where they left off
It all sounds pretty shady to me. They are looking for an insurer of last resort (you) for a job which was generally poorly designed and managed. You should be talking to your professional insurance carrier about their take on this whole thing, and maybe even some help in how you should respond and word any contract. I would also like to hear the EOR’s side of the story, call him. Why won’t he continue work on his own project, why won’t he work with the owner, arch. & builder any longer? If he got stiffed for his fee and they (owner, arch. & builder) basically wouldn’t follow his plans, specs. and details, they will likely do the same to you. Whatever the owner and Arch. say now, and they may actually need some engineering help to complete this project, you can bet you will be left holding the bag for anything/everything which doesn’t turn out right, even if you couldn’t see it. It sounds like everyone on the job tried to save some money, by doing it their way, once the plans were done and the permit issued. What is the AHJ’s position in this whole thing? None of us like to turn down good work, but some projects are better just to walk away from.