March 14, 2023
To sub or not to sub, that is the question.
Should a firm retain a subconsultant that flows through them on a project, or should a firm let the owner directly retain the other design professional?
It’s probably not the first time that an architect or engineer has seen this question posed, nor will it be the last.
I raise this question not because it is an exciting topic, but because it is a very relevant claim scenario that I have seen time and time again.
Here are some things to think about:
- Has your client considered what it would do if its subconsultant stopped responding to phone calls or emails?
- What would happen if the subconsultant simply shut its doors without notice to your client in the middle of a project?
I know that a firm would not think this scenario would happen to them, especially if the subconsultant is a firm that your client has worked with in the past and has a good relationship with. But it happens.
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