I'm sure we've all seen examples of these. I believe it was about 4 years ago I received a bid request for a building addition to a Federal building. In the bid the specs were so tight that I declined the request which caused me to receive quite a bit of correspondence that wasn't pleasant. Clearly the construction companies needed a number for the bid packages and probably needed more than one price. I'm thinking after reading the bid specs no one nearby was interested.?ÿ
They wanted each element of the building to be certified to 1/4". Footings, beams, ect.?ÿ
The building location was fenced, dirt was moved then it sat for at least 3 years with nothing happening.
So I'm chatting with an engineer that does extensive design with fed overview. He is designing roads over ranch ground, dirt roads and water crossings. After the job is built there is a form he has to sign stating that the road was built to his design. I asked him what he says on the form and he always says no. In other words the dirt roads are not built to his design, I ask what happens after that and he says nothing, the form gets put in a file and as far as he knows no one ever looks at it. Maybe that's how to handle these things, just say everything is out of spec.
The pressure to sign off on these must push someone to just sign each time no matter how close the building is. I wonder what happens when you just say no each time. Probably get fired.?ÿ
I like that approach.?ÿ Similar to the construction company that wants many millions in insurance, which is reasonable for heavy construction or a high rise, but a bit much for me to stake some small feature.?ÿ Most of the time saying I have "this much" works fine, we do the job, and all are happy.
Ken
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California has it figured out.
8770.6. Use of the word ??certify? or ??certification?
The use of the word ??certify? or ??certification? by a licensed land surveyor or registered
civil engineer in the practice of professional engineering or land surveying or the preparation of
maps, plats, reports, descriptions, or other surveying documents only constitutes an expression of
professional opinion regarding those facts or findings which are the subject of the certification,
and does not constitute a warranty or guarantee, either expressed or implied.
I've always been instructed that it's the wording of the certification that's most important, stay away from bad words and phrasing.
