b'INSURANCE COLUMNshould give you a strong clue as tomeasures need to be deployed as a 4.Avoid single-purpose LLCs or other where design and construction qualityteam: developer and design team. Thepaper or shell corporations. Try falls on its priority list. If you dont heardeveloper needs to be willing to pay forto draft your contract with the entity a strong commitment, it may be time tocertain services that will help reducethat holds the bulk of the developers look elsewhere for your next project. the likelihood of future claims, such asassets. If the project is operated as a an envelope consultant and an acous- single-purpose company, ask about2.Choose developers with a penchanttical consultant. previous such entities and seekfor risk management. Conscientiousreferences from the design firms that developers should be well aware of 3. Look for adequate projectworked on those projects.a condo projects reputation for highfinancing. Dont hesitate to discuss liability risks and be open and up-frontthe developers financial standing. Ask 5.Insist on providing a full scope ofabout their approach to risk manage- about budgets, contingency funds andservices. Construction observation ment, including the use of counsel forany bankruptcies or other financialand detailed and complete construc-the entire team. The best protectiveproblems with past condo projects. tion documents are essential to claims-free condominium projects. Push to include peer design reviews and contractor constructability reviews to supplement your services, as well. 6.Research the contractors. Contractor selection should be quality-based, not price-based. If you are involved early in the planning process, insist on helping to select or at least approve the contractor as a condition of accepting the project. 7.Examine the developers marketingapproach. To whom is the devel-oper marketing the condo project? What promises or guarantees are We deliver they making through their sales and marketing effort? Overpromising performance-drivenleads to sky-high expectations, which lead to disappointment and, finally, enclosures. to claims. Dont hesitate to bring up your objections to the developers marketing efforts and explain why you have concerns.We are Entuitive.8. Insist on approving all substitu-tions and changes in materials and design. Your designs should stress quality above all, and cheap substitute materials only sabotage your efforts. This is particularly true when it comes to building envelopes and mechanical ADVANCED PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS|BUILDING ENVELOPE LIFE CYCLE CARBON & SUSTAINABILITYsystems such as HVAC. You have every BUILDING RESTORATION|SPECIAL PROJECTS|FIRE ENGINEERING right to demand to approve every PEDESTRIAN MODELLING|WOOD DESIGN SERVICESdesign, material or equipment change.STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING|BRIDGE ENGINEERING TRANSPORTATION STRUCTURES|CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING 9.Schedule and conduct regularcommunications. Start with risk management discussions with the developer and contractor prior entuitive.com to signing the contract. Push for bi-weekly face-to-face meetings with VANCOUVER | CALGARY | EDMONTON | TORONTO | NEW YORK | EDINBURGH | LONDON project parties throughout design and construction. Meet with the condo board at occupation to discuss manage-ment and maintenance of the complex.12 BCBEC ELEMENTSA BCBEC PUBLICATION'