Cost to review and seal drawings.

[WARose]

This topic has been kicked around quite a bit on here......I know all the arguments about what constitutes a review and responsible charge......but I never really hear what legit charges should be.

I've worked at places where it's just time and material.....others where they consider that but a minimum of $1000/print for anything substantial. I've heard all kinds of numbers so I'd like to hear some opinions (wrt to billing).

 

[SteelPE]

I don't think you will ever get an answer to such a complex question.

I usually bill how ever many hours it takes x my hourly rate. It's the only fair way.

Are you sealing your own drawings or those prepared under someone else?

 

[WARose]

They were developed under someone else (which is probably just as well as my CAD skills aren't the best). But I will red line them just like I would if they were in-house (not to mention I'll run my own calcs).

 

[BUGGAR]

When I did this, I was very specific in what I would do and it excluded any work beyond just the review and signing. The clients liked this. I always included an "Additional Services at my Standard Hourly Rates Clause" to cover all the telephone calls and related stuff that gets involved (and the client thinks he doesn't need). If the client doesn't want, or won't pay for the additional services, then I'm legally and comfortably done (mostly).

 

[RHTPE]

I often review and seal formwork & shoring drawings for concrete structures. The client almost always wants a flat fee per sheet or per project. I tend to factor in my risk exposure for each project, with a reasonable minimum. Once that drawing is issued with my seal on it, I'm 'in the boat' should anything not go as anticipated. I want to keep my E&O insurance company happy with what I'm charging for my services. The fee is tailored more towards the risk than it is towards my hourly rate (and hopefully never less than my hourly rate).


Ralph
Structures Consulting
Northeast USA

 

[JStephen]

In times past, I got involved on some work like this (on the purchasing end, not the selling). The semi-retired PE involved would charge around $300 to review and seal a set of drawings for our work. He finally retired completely, and the PE's that took over his practice charged around $3,000 for the same work. So the answer is "all over the place".
Consider perceived risk, as noted above; whether you're certifying the engineering aspects only or also doing dimensional checking; whether it's a long term customer or one-and-done deal. If there are calculations involved, are you actually checking the calculations, or just confirming that the result is adequate.

On the legalities, note that some jurisdictions have rules that specifically allow review-and-seal, others tend to go just the opposite, so it's worthwhile perusing the state rules and also the disciplinary actions to see how that's addressed in a particular jurisdiction. It is not uniform.

 

[dhengr]

WARose:
You asked...., “Cost to review and seal drawings?”
It could be very high, when something goes wrong and they call you to make it good, since you are the EOR. This has always been scary business to me, what if I miss a bull that the other guy shot? It doesn’t even have to be your fault, or something the other guy missed or didn’t tell you about. You just know that in today’s world you and your insur. co. will be dragged into the fray. And at that point, your old client will as likely as not, claim that they had nothing to do with it, in fact, they told you to watch out for that condition. Then, there is always the issue of..., ‘done by you, or under your direct supervision.’ And, is the other guy registered too, but just not in your state, so you could claim some sort of a mutual working relationship btwn. the two companies? Ask your insur. co. what they think of your doing this. I think RHTPE and Jstephen have it about right.

 

[RHTPE]

dhengr - When I review & seal a drawing I go on the assumption I'm taking total responsibility. Depending on the state involved, some allow me to seal a drawing with the appropriate legalese stated on the drawing. For others I will put the reviewed drawing over my title block. I have also approached this in a Review Report format - I don't seal the drawing but I do attach a report of my findings that is sealed. The end goal is to cover myself and satisfy the jurisdiction requiring the review & seal.

No matter what the case, I try to get a fee that is proportional to the risk involved. Since much of my work is with temporary structures, the exposure window is relatively small. Still gives my E&O underwriter heartburn as it usually involves work that could be considered to be Means & Methods.



Ralph
Structures Consulting
Northeast USA