Architects insurance - am I right??

RoxieW

Ok, prob not the right board but am hoping someone can put my mind at rest.

Hubby is an employed architect - qualified, experienced, member of the professional 'clubs' - you know what I mean!

To bring in a bit of extra cash, he want to start doing some private jobs - namely plans/planning applications for residential extensions.

Now, I think he needs insurance for this but he says, and I quote 'There's no point for poxy little extensions. Any problems would fall to the builder anyway. You're being a fricking drama queen. You don't know what you are talking about as per.' :mad:

Apparently, "everyone" in his office does them without insurance.

But i'm worried - what if he makes some mistake, the builders follow his plans and we end up getting sued??

Who's right??

chickmug

I know a pal who did this and made a real !!!! up. His working drawing specified four ground floor lintols but the size, he put on the schedule, was exactly the size of the opening with no overhand allowance. So four wrong sized lintols and gang of four bricklayers + labourer turned up, one weekend, and had to be called off and paid for a days loss of earnings. Not sure though if the insurance would cover this.

RoxieW

all that means nothing to me, but thats what I mean, what if he makes some mistake and the extension falls down - lol - just kidding , but you know what I mean. Did he have to pay?

Am assuming insurance (professional indemnity??) covers all mistakes? If not, is it just pointless? I've got a quote at £1000 a year but hubby is adamant that he doesnt need it??

Imp

You don't need insurance if

1) You don't make mistakes

2) You can afford to pay the damages resulting from any mistakes you do make.

if

Jorgan_2

I'm sure his employer has PI insurance and for a very good reason. You need to find out what the insurance covers you for and what isn't covered.

How many jobs is he thinking of doing a year? If its one or two the insurance cost may seem high & possibly worth the risk of not having it. If he's doing two a month, the cost can be absorbed easier into all the jobs.

I'm no expert on insurance but I believe he does need it.

geri1965_2

There is no "right" or "wrong" answer. You need to weigh up the cost of the insurance and the risks, and decide whether you think you need it or not.

Richard_Webster

And presumably he will tell his clients that he is cheap because he isn't insured...

chickmug

RoxieW wrote: »

Did he have to pay?

Yes he did make some concession with the money still owed for the working drawings on the clients other, and much larger home, for which he was also doing a very very big extension.

bap98189

Does membership of his professional body provide him with insurance? I know with some other professions it does.

If not, then you would be very ill-advised to proceed without some form of liability insurance. Never mind just the cost of an extension, what would happen if something happened and someone was injured as a result, you could be looking at medical bills running into millions, which you would be sured for.

ameliarate

You're being a fricking drama queen. You don't know what you are talking about as per.'

My other half speaks to me like that sometimes - I spit in his coffee when he's not looking.

RoxieW

:rotfl: - um I should do really.

As far as I know his professional body dont provide insurance.