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Here in Boston, MA, I’ve hung out my shingle as a residential designer. 25 years experience in the architectural field, yet I’m unlicensed. I have a BA (not BArch). I can legally design one and two family homes in Mass. My services are similar to those of an architect. I would like to run a legitimate business, yet am (so far) unable to obtain insurance since I don’t have a professional license. I want to protect myself against lawsuits. A lawyer has advised me to move all my assets into my husband’s name and not incorporate, but I would prefer to take the high road and have insurance. Does anyone know a company I can call? Thanks!!
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kate.. a lot of the Chief Architect users are members of AIBD.. the ones that want E&O ins. and liability get it thru AIBD..
there are many designers out there who are not registered architects
check this out..
http://www.aibd.org/
*Thanks, Mike, I had never heard of AIBD until you told me. I have just received info from them and it looks promising. Thanks a lot!!!Kate
*Kate, if you find out anything please post it. I am in the same boat as you. (though maybe a smaller boat) I am drawing floor plans part-time for a friend who is a builder. His business is really taking off and I need to protect myself liability-wise. I got a quote for over $2000/yr for $1mil coverage, which is kind of a big bite considering my gross was around $6k last year and probably $10k next year.I thought about working up a liability agreement with him, but I don't know if that would insulate me from homeowners, etc. And then I don't know if his insurance would cover it if I did make a costly mistake. I don't want to leave him exposed either.Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated
*Chester, I don't know much, but I did contact the AIBD as suggested by Mike Smith (above). They sent me membership and insurance information. What is not clear from the packet (I had to make several phone calls to ascertain this) is that one must be have "professional membership" level in AIBD to qualify for insurance. Testing, experience, and references --but not a professional college degree--are required to obain this level of membership. I'm still mulling it over. Good luck--Kate