By Gina Armbruster | Friday, August 23, 2019
Design-build has become a widely-used construction project-delivery method due to the ability to complete projects quickly and efficiently while also reducing costs. However, along with these advantages are the increased risks that can confront both contractors and design professionals throughout project lifecycles.
Read more »By Raymond F.H. Bustamante | Thursday, August 1, 2019
Too many firms grow for the sake of growth, only to suffer when the end product does not meet the client’s expectations. Managing growth with a balanced view of a firm’s own talent and core service structure helps a best-in-class contractor avoid professional liability claims. Historically, firms that do not focus on talent acquisition and management do not fare well through market cycles.
Read more »By Raymond F.H. Bustamante
The Construction Specifier
June 2019
Driven by a strong economy, the easing of lending standards, and a healthy commercial real estate marketplace, construction starts are expected to total about $800 billion in the United States, according to the Dodge Data & Analytics’ 2019 Construction Outlook.’ Although this fails to capture the double-digit growth of recent years, the report confirms the likely match of funds spent on commercial construction last year.
Read more »BY RAYMOND F.H. BUSTAMANTE
25 February 2019
In today’s commercial construction environment, risk and reward are deeply interconnected. This is especially true in increasingly popular design-build scenarios, which virtually eliminate the steadfast boundary of responsibilities that traditionally existed between contractors, architects and other building professionals.
Read more »by Walter J. Adams, Jr.
Risk is inherent with any commercial building project. From design and specification through construction, there are many moving parts capable of creating any number of problems.
In the past, roles were clearly defined under the design/bid/build project delivery methodology. Responsibilities had a beginning and end. There was little guesswork – if any at all.
Read more »
Roswell, Ga. (September 24, 2018) – Raymond F.H. Bustamante, executive vice president at Berkley Construction Professional, a division of Berkley Alliance Managers, a Berkley Company, will offer his perspective on best-in-class professional liability risk profiles at the IRMI Construction Risk Conference to be held from November 4 – 7, 2018 at the Marquis Marriott in Houston, Texas.
The construction industry is on the rise again in the U.S. Going into 2018, Dodge Data & Analytics predicted that total U.S. construction starts for the upcoming year would climb 3 percent to $765 billion. This includes a 2 percent increase in commercial building and a 3 percent advance in both the institutional and public works markets.
by Andrew Mendelson FAIA
August 8, 2018
Prime design consultants often have a great deal of project control and leverage. Unfortunately, such responsibilities increase the potential for significant risk. This is especially true if errors or omissions committed by subconsultants cause damage to the client or project. Under such circumstances, the prime will most likely be held liable as if they committed the negligent acts themselves.
By Raymond F.H. Bustamante
Posted on June 26, 2018
The rules of engagement have changed drastically.
In recent years, the construction industry has moved rapidly from what were clearly defined stand-alone roles of design-bid-build project delivery methods to the faster-paced design/build, public-private partnership (P3) and integrated project delivery (IPD) models. Along with this shift came a blurring of responsibilities for design and construction services and similar uncertainty about ensuing liability that occurs when things go wrong.
“Some argue that Protective coverage delays fair and prompt settlement and adds to finger pointing. That’s a flawed argument. In fact, the opposite is true.”
By Raymond F.H. Bustamante
Posted on August 29, 2017
The commercial construction industry entered 2017 building on a steady stream of growth over the past years. Earlier this year, ConstructConnect predicted a 6.3 percent increase in total construction for 2017 with another 7.2 percent increase in spending for 2018.
Most recently, these expectations were amended slightly when ConstructConnect announced U.S. construction starts were expected to grow by 4.5 percent in 2017 and about 6 percent in 2018. In comparison, the AIA Consensus Construction Forecast projected 3.5 to 4.0 percent of growth for the remainder of 2017 and 2018.
These changes were based on several factors ranging from a slowing commercial/industrial marketplace to the shortage of qualified building professionals. Unfortunately, the recent recession had many dire effects including the loss of approximately two million skilled laborers, who left the industry to find work elsewhere and have yet to return. This trend has also combined with an aging workforce and the entry of fewer young tradesmen into the field to replenish the project pool for seasoned workers ranging from electricians, plumbers and welders to masons, roofers and carpenters.
The commercial construction industry entered 2017 building on a steady stream of growth over the past years. Earlier this year, ConstructConnect predicted a 6.3 percent increase in total construction for 2017 with another 7.2 percent increase in spending for 2018.
Most recently, these expectations were amended slightly when ConstructConnect announced U.S. construction starts were expected to grow by 4.5 percent in 2017 and about 6 percent in 2018. In comparison, the AIA Consensus Construction Forecast projected 3.5 to 4.0 percent of growth for the remainder of 2017 and 2018.
These changes were based on several factors ranging from a slowing commercial/industrial marketplace to the shortage of qualified building professionals. Unfortunately, the recent recession had many dire effects including the loss of approximately two million skilled laborers, who left the industry to find work elsewhere and have yet to return. This trend has also combined with an aging workforce and the entry of fewer young tradesmen into the field to replenish the project pool for seasoned workers ranging from electricians, plumbers and welders to masons, roofers and carpenters.
Few general contractors can successfully complete projects on time and within budget without the help of reliable and well-schooled subcontractors. The problem is finding reliable help. Although price is always a consideration, it should never be the main requisite for hiring subcontracting support. Always be wary of the lowest bid. Sometimes cheap means little else, especially when it accompanies subpar skill sets and a lack of precision and timeliness.
Another challenge involves the influence of owners, who have been known to “strongly suggest” the hiring of associates, former colleagues and even friends and relatives. Due diligence should never be forsaken or undetermined to win a bid or gain favor. The ultimate decision for subcontracting help should be left to those with the responsibility for the final outcome unless the contract is otherwise worded. Never dismiss the costliness of errors and omissions. They can make all the difference between profitability and years of delays and litigation.
It is also important to take a good, hard look at the talent and experience of subcontractors before the work begins. This is a highly competitive era, where far too many professionals are bidding on projects beyond their expertise. Before taking on extra help, it is imperative to check references and learn more about the work they perform. Areas of concern should be cited and addressed. The jobsite is no place for surprises.
In addition, subcontracting is a business like any other. Integrity in operations can also say a lot about dependability and loyalty. Are they solvent financially or involved in any form of litigation? Are they positioned to become a future competitor? What is their workload? Will they see a project through to its completion or disappear somewhere before its end? Even if they have worked with a contractor in the past, are they the same organization capable of delivering on the general contractor’s behalf?
On the contractual side, are they willing to live up to the contractual undertakings agreed to by the firm? Few situations are worse than the special dispensation of services that do not match obligations.
Furthermore, make sure the proper insurance is in place and adequately worded to meet the needs of the job. Risk management is not a luxury. It is a necessity. Contractors Professional Liability (CPrL) can be written with a broadened and/or clarified definition of covered professional services to insure against the errors or omissions of subcontractors. This includes Contractors Protective Indemnity (CPI) coverage terms, which is designed to protect general contractors from the damages caused by subcontracted design and construction professionals as well as the damages that sit in excess of the design professional’s own liability insurance policy limits.
The same holds true for owners who would like to expand their coverages with Protective Professional Indemnity, Protective Contractor’s Pollution and Third-Party Claim Defense and Indemnity terms to cover the challenges caused by vendors hired by the contracted general contractor.
Going forward, never underestimate the potential harm and disruptions posed by under-skilled, unreliable and under-insured subcontracting help. A general contractor’s reputation and bottom line can be at risk with each job. Owners have the right to expect quality and diligence along with the service clearly outlined in mutually agreed upon contracts. So, always remember that reputation and profit margin are on the line with each new hiring decision.
Raymond F.H. Bustamante is Executive Vice President of Berkley Construction Professional, a Berkley Company. W. R. Berkley Corporation is an insurance holding company that is among the largest commercial lines writers in the United States. Bustamante can be reached at 973-600-0926.
This article was originally published online in Construction Executive Risk Management.