base scope for a new building- what do you include

[samdamon]

We are having a discussion in the office about what should be included in typical base scope structural engineering services for a new building. For example historically we have not included in our proposals the design or detailing of interior partitions, typical stairs, handrails, or typical mechanical equipment supports. We expect a third party stair engineer, architect, mechanical engineer to design these items, perhaps with some input from us in CD phase but in the end not to be shown on our drawings. These things are not considered part of the "basic building structure". Was wondering what others are doing or being asked to do these days. Our area of practice is NE United states.

Thanks

 

[kipfoot]

I think that the things you've mentioned should be left out of your scope, unless they're specifically being asked for by the client. It's hard to stay competitive when you're including work that's not generally expected. Heck, in the NE US connections are a delegated design, but that's worthy of a separate discussion.

It's also important to try to anticipate and discuss things that may not be shown on early architectural drawings: canopies, atrium facade framing, mechanical screens. These can take as much time to design and detail as the entire building frame.

 

[Ron247]

I do it different than some in my area but in general, here is what I do. I have found not specifically listing what you are NOT doing can create problems later.

I list out my general scope of work such as:

The following items are included in the base scope of work:
[ul]
[li]Primary Structural Steel Frame[/li]
[li]Foundations for Primary Structural Steel Frame[/li]
[li]Wood Wall Framing[/li]
[li]Floor Framing[/li]
[/ul]


I then list SOME of the items I am specifically NOT designing but could if paid.

This proposal specifically does not include the following items that can be provided at an additional fee:
[ul]
[li]Stairways of any kind[/li]
[li]Slab on grade concrete steps[/li]
[li]Canopies[/li]
[li]Items appearing on the project drawings but not specifically listed in the scope of work above[/li]
[/ul]

Sometime I will list engineering items I cannot supply if I wanted to when the client does not understand that all engineers do not do the same type of work.

The following services are not supplied and cannot be supplied by <insert name> at an additional fee:
[ul]
[li]Soil Testing[/li]
[li]Architectural Services[/li]
[li]Mechanical, Electrical and HVAC[/li]
[/ul]

 

[Yao1989]

We have an ongoing battle to try and leave out all miscellaneous metal out of our scope. Aside from stairs and handrails, other examples that are often contentious are:
Small piece of metal, M&E equipment support, metal to hang a washroom partition, ladders in m&e rooms, between different roof heights etc.,
Maybe we should brainstorm a list here on eng-tip; we can almost be like a union collective bargaining.

 

[Ron247]

Wasn't there a document that outlined what is generally included in the structural engineer's fee? Seems I saw one years ago. I know it did not include a lot of the items we are listing as not in our scope.