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The Claims-Free Architect
The Claims-Free Architect episodes
- When a 25-Tonne Precast Wall Crashes Down, Who's Responsible?
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When a major building component, such as an exterior wall, fails during construction, who was supposed to check the shop drawings?
The cause of the near-tragedy becomes obvious, only after the wall has fallen over - it hadn’t been tied into the structure. You’ll learn how dereliction of duty triggered a catastrophic series of events.
Connect with Pro-Demnity:
- Leave a Review
- Follow us on LinkedIn
- Access our Risk Education Library
- Speak with a Risk Services Expert if you’re an Ontario architect seeking guidance for a risk management issue.
Thank you for listening.
21 min - What Happens When An Unreasonable Client Demolishes Completed Work?
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If an Architect provides better quality cladding materials than those the client requested, can the Client order those materials to be replaced at the Architect’s expense?
You’ll learn that unreasonable clients and guilt-ridden architects can make strange bedfellows and their relationship dynamics may lead to unnecessarily expensive lawsuits.
Connect with Pro-Demnity:
- Leave a Review
- Follow us on LinkedIn
- Access our Risk Education Library
- Speak with a Risk Services Expert if you’re an Ontario architect seeking guidance for a risk management issue.
Thank you for listening.
22 min - When Cheaping Out Results In A Beloved Building Burning Down
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When a recently renovated, beloved heritage building burns to the ground with no discernible cause, who is responsible?
Even forensic fire experts may have trouble pinpointing the cause of a fire, but if the architects are contracted to perform site reviews, they will be in the “line of fire,” regardless of the actual source of the original spark. There are, however, precautions that Architects can take to mitigate the risks.
Connect with Pro-Demnity:
- Leave a Review
- Follow us on LinkedIn
- Access our Risk Education Library
- Speak with a Risk Services Expert if you’re an Ontario architect seeking guidance for a risk management issue.
Thank you for listening.
28 min - How The Incorrect Soils Report Led To A Building Collapse
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What happens when a project is designed and engineered based on a subsoils report created for another site, with wildly different conditions?
Adjacent sites may appear almost identical above grade, and yet have radically different subsoil conditions. It can be a false economy—and potentially catastrophic—to forgo a proper soils report specific to your site and instead base your design on unfounded assumptions.
Connect with Pro-Demnity:
- Leave a Review
- Follow us on LinkedIn
- Access our Risk Education Library
- Speak with a Risk Services Expert if you’re an Ontario architect seeking guidance for a risk management issue.
Thank you for listening.
27 min - When Unsuitable Cladding Materials Led To A Building Crumbling
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Can an edifice of historical grandeur be replicated with inexpensive modern materials? And what if they haven’t been tested in Ontario’s harsh climatic conditions?
Agreeing to build a high-quality neoclassical masterpiece in the Ontario hinterlands, without the extravagant budget required can only result in a deteriorating client relationship, and a dilapidated building.Connect with Pro-Demnity:
- Leave a Review
- Follow us on LinkedIn
- Access our Risk Education Library
- Speak with a Risk Services Expert if you’re an Ontario architect seeking guidance for a risk management issue.
Thank you for listening.
19 min - Why Cutting Corners For A Friend Ends Up Costing More
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Can an architect successfully create a modern glass building on a tight budget by cutting corners on materials and detailing, or will such compromises ultimately lead to costly failures and potential legal consequences?
Architects should never compromise on essential design elements and quality materials to cut costs, even for friends or to achieve a specific aesthetic. Attempting to create a high-end look with subpar materials and inadequate detailing will likely result in significant structural issues, costly repairs, and potential legal troubles, ultimately costing far more than the initial savings.Connect with Pro-Demnity:
- Leave a Review
- Follow us on LinkedIn
- Access our Risk Education Library
- Speak with a Risk Services Expert if you’re an Ontario architect seeking guidance for a risk management issue.
Thank you for listening.
18 min - When Interpersonal Conflicts Caused Retirees To Shiver In The Cold
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How do interpersonal conflicts, misunderstandings, and professional missteps in a construction project lead to unforeseen consequences and legal battles?
A construction project for a retirement home spirals into legal chaos due to interpersonal conflicts and contractual misunderstandings. This tale delves into the repercussions of professional missteps and the quest for resolution through mediation, offering insights into the construction industry's pitfalls.Connect with Pro-Demnity:
- Leave a Review
- Follow us on LinkedIn
- Access our Risk Education Library
- Speak with a Risk Services Expert if you’re an Ontario architect seeking guidance for a risk management issue.
Thank you for listening.
25 min - Why An Architect Playing Favourites Landed Himself In Hot Water
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What happens when a bidding process is unfair, and the lowest bidder doesn't get the job?
Being fair and transparent in the bidding process is crucial because choosing favorites or making changes at the last minute can lead to serious trouble. Even if you think you're helping, it might cause others to feel cheated and lead to lawsuits. In the end, what seems like a small decision can create big, expensive problems.Connect with Pro-Demnity:
- Leave a Review
- Follow us on LinkedIn
- Access our Risk Education Library
- Speak with a Risk Services Expert if you’re an Ontario architect seeking guidance for a risk management issue.
Thank you for listening.
20 min - How a Fire Hydrant Upgrade Led to a Million-Dollar Lawsuit
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How reliable is a survey? When a fire hydrant used as a survey benchmark is replaced by a new fixture, and a site is over-excavated as a result, who is responsible, and how does a seemingly minor 20 cm error in site levels lead to a massive $1.2 million lawsuit?
You’ll discover how a small, unnoticed alteration in a survey datum point can snowball into a major headache. This story illustrates the importance of obtaining accurate information, and keeping scrupulous records, especially for complex buildings
Connect with Pro-Demnity:
- Leave a Review
- Follow us on LinkedIn
- Access our Risk Education Library
- Speak with a Risk Services Expert if you’re an Ontario architect seeking guidance for a risk management issue.
Thank you for listening.
20 min - Why It's Risky For An Architect To Ignore Existing Conditions
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What are the consequences of not adequately examining conditions, before embarking on a major renovation project, and leaving it to inexperienced staff to handle the problems that arise?
In this episode, we find out what happens when architects, who are making extensive renovations to a building with complicated mechanical systems, can’t —or simply don’t—fully examine existing conditions before they start out.
Connect with Pro-Demnity:
- Leave a Review
- Follow us on LinkedIn
- Access our Risk Education Library
- Speak with a Risk Services Expert if you’re an Ontario architect seeking guidance for a risk management issue.
Thank you for listening.
19 min
About The Claims-Free Architect
From the publisher's feed
Architects sometimes get blindsided by accusations of professional error, omission or negligence. They struggle with the hidden risks that come with running an architectural practice, as it can be…
devastating—professionally and personally—to invest countless hours in a project, only to face one claim that threatens everything.
Well, what if one could navigate these risks with confidence? What if architects could protect their practice and reputation while continuing to do what they love?
Welcome to "The Claims-Free Architect", formerly known as “Architects’ Claims Stories”, renamed to better reflect the podcast’s mission. Brought to you by
Pro-Demnity, a professional liability insurance company that has been protecting and defending architects for nearly four decades.
This season, every week for 14 weeks, you’ll hear stories that delve into real-world situations faced by architects. From these actual experiences, architects will gain the insights needed to identify potential risks and learn how to manage, minimize, mitigate, avoid or even accept them, and ultimately, better protect your architectural practice from claims.
Well, what if one could navigate these risks with confidence? What if architects could protect their practice and reputation while continuing to do what they love?
Welcome to "The Claims-Free Architect", formerly known as “Architects’ Claims Stories”, renamed to better reflect the podcast’s mission. Brought to you by
Pro-Demnity, a professional liability insurance company that has been protecting and defending architects for nearly four decades.
This season, every week for 14 weeks, you’ll hear stories that delve into real-world situations faced by architects. From these actual experiences, architects will gain the insights needed to identify potential risks and learn how to manage, minimize, mitigate, avoid or even accept them, and ultimately, better protect your architectural practice from claims.
If you’re a licensed, practicing architect, an architectural practice owner, an architectural intern, or a member of an architectural team, and you’re looking to avoid professional pitfalls, subscribe to "The Claims-Free Architect" wherever you get your podcasts. By tuning in, you’ll be well on your way to understanding risk and keeping your practice claims-free.
***The Claims-Free Architect Podcast is recognized by Canadian Architect magazine as one of the Best podcasts and films for Canadian architects: 2024 Edition ***