Peer review arrangements

Question

Peer review arrangements

RacingAZ (Structural)

(OP)

29 Apr 11 14:28

I'm submitting structural plans to a jurisdiction where they have an option to go thru a normal plan review process (30-45 days) or I can get someone to peer review my plans and if the peer reviewer certifies the plans as complete and generally follows the intent of the building code, the jurisdiction would issue the permit within 5 days.

My client decided to go with a peer reviewer process and I have to get one to review my work. Is it appropriate for me to ask for a non-compete agreement so that the peer reviewer would not solicit future projects from my client? The peer reviewer doesn't have any prior business relationship with my client. I'll be the one making the introduction to the client.

Also with regards to the contract, would it be better for me to get him to sign a contract under my company or him signing one directly with my client?

MiketheEngineer (Structural) · Answer 1 · 2011-04-29 14:47:11

Your asking legal questions of a bunch of engineers......

The advice you will get is worth about what you pay for it...

Make a quick call to your lawyer - I am sure he will help you out.

casseopeia (Structural) · Answer 2 · 2011-04-29 17:46:18

The firm I work for does a lot of peer reviews. Generally we would never consider soliciting work from our client's Client, not just because it would sour our business relationship, but also because our Client performs other services that we do not. We do most of our peer reviews for large, full-service A/E firms. The firm I work for are specialists in building envelope integration, waterproofing, and litigation investigation. I think most peer reviewers are similar in nature, but it's something to look at before you worry about potential loss of work. How realistic are your fears?

"Gorgeous hair is the best revenge." Ivana Trump

RacingAZ (Structural) · Answer 3 · 2011-04-29 19:07:59

Mike, I'm not looking for legal advice just common business practices with regards to peer review arrangements. If I decide to do a non-compete, I'll ask my lawyer for one.

Cass, the potential peer reviewer is a sole proprietor engineer that pretty much provides the same services that I offer.
I'm not worried about the big firms that specialize as 3rd party reviewers to municipalities. Reading your response and after going thru the list of reviewers that was provided to me, I'm probably better off with the specialized firms.

thanks!

hokie66 (Structural) · Answer 4 · 2011-04-30 07:23:08

When a client wants my work peer reviewed, I just want to be sure that the reviewer is truly a peer. And it would offend my sense of ethics (conflict of interest) to contract directly to have my work peer reviewed.

RacingAZ (Structural) · Answer 5 · 2011-05-05 14:14:48

We went for a 3rd party plan reviewer which turns out to be approved by the jurisdiction to also perform peer reviews.

Please consider this thread closed.

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Peer review arrangements