In a profession like architecture, it’s not unusual for friends and family to reach out for free advice on design projects. While it’s natural to want to use your skills and expertise to help those you know, it’s a situation that can lead to a costly lawsuit without the proper protections in place. Architects, engineers [...]
Cyber breaches were in the news a lot in 2023. In fact, 2023 was one of the most significant years on record for cybersecurity incidents. Even if your architecture firm didn’t have a hack, you may have still felt an impact. With everything from common office tools to telecom services, hotel check-ins and even cleaning [...]
In today’s world, risk is everywhere, and insurance plays a vital role safeguarding architects from the risks they face. It’s one of the keys to a comprehensive risk management strategy, providing peace of mind and protecting an architect’s business and reputation. While many architects know they have risks and need insurance, that’s only one part [...]
Architects are often held in high esteem by new potential clients, who understand that professional design entails a high degree of skill in science, art and technology. Yet for many clients, that’s where the understanding ends. Without consistent attention to good communication during the design process, misunderstandings can creep in, leading to hard feelings and, [...]
When it’s practiced consistently, good client screening can reduce the risk of taking on a problem client or working on a project outside your firm’s areas of expertise. No architect, engineer or other design professional wants to get bogged down chasing unpaid bills or trying to attend to the needs of a high-maintenance client. With [...]
Architecture firms oversee the transfer of large sums of money for projects. That makes you a prime target for wire transfer fraud. Here’s what to know about the threat and the best practices for wire transfer safety. What Is Wire Transfer Fraud? When a criminal inserts themselves into a transaction involving the transfer of a [...]
Many think of October as a month for cooling weather, spooky decorations and trick-or-treaters. But for an architecture firm, it’s also a great time to think about cybersecurity. Since 2004, October has been celebrated nationally as Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a time when government and industry leaders come together to address the risks posed by cyber [...]
Architects, engineers and contractors are all vulnerable to lawsuits. Stakes are high and a lot can go wrong. When it does, the design professional is often blamed. Here’s a look at seven notable projects that resulted in architecture lawsuits, plus what can be learned from them and how to protect yourself. Frank and Berta Gehry [...]
The Risk of Wage and Hour Laws for Architects Architects and architectural firms are becoming increasingly aware of wage and hour claims, which are among the most typical legal challenges they may confront in their careers. These allegations are dangerous because employers must guarantee that they are following federal, state and even municipal laws. Employers [...]
Architecture firms oversee the transfer of large sums of money for projects. That makes you a prime target for funds transfer fraud. Here are the best practices for wire transfer safety. Wire Fraud Risks When a criminal inserts themselves into a transaction involving the transfer of large sums of money, it’s called fraud. When they [...]