All Advice articles – Page 6
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FeaturesWhen it’s time to call it a day
Whether it be through retirement or insolvency, shutting down your practice needs to be handled with care
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FeaturesLocalism will change your life
New legislation is set to transform the development process in the UK. Make sure your firm is prepared
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FeaturesGreen is the colour of money
Creating a sustainable built environment is the biggest challenge – and opportunity – now facing architects
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FeaturesThe pros and cons of going solo
Our experts set out the points to consider if you are thinking of setting up your own architectural practice.
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FeaturesProspects and pitfalls for 2011
The next 12 months are set to bring change, with falling activity, new laws and rising taxes. Richard Brindley, Patrick Perry and Mark Twum-Ampofo consult their crystal ball to see how this will affect architects
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Features
We are setting up anew after forced insolvency
We are setting up a new practice having been forced into insolvency. Any advice or tips on the “bear-traps” to look out for?
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FeaturesOur main client has unexpectedly gone into administration...
Our major client has unexpectedly gone into administration owing us money and reducing our workload prospects, which means we face insolvency ourselves. What is the best way forward?
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FeaturesHow should I defend myself now a project has come in over budget?
How to cope when your tender prices busts your client’s budget
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FeaturesWhat do I need to know to keep up with changes in employment law?
I have recently taken over managing employment issues in my practice following the departure of our human resources director. I have heard there are a number of changes that employers have to keep on top of. What are they?
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FeaturesCan I stop a contractor promoting my design as his own work?
How can I prevent a contractor promoting my design as his own work and using my own photographs, without any recognition of the architects?
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FeaturesIs there anything we can do to tackle the problem of low pay?
BD has recently given extensive coverage to the issue of low pay in the profession, but there has not been much focus on the answer. What is the BD Practice columnists’ solution?
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FeaturesWhy might my practice be affected by the forthcoming Bribery Act?
What does the forthcoming Bribery Act mean for me?
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FeaturesA client is threatening to sue over an old project. How long until I’m safe?
A client has been threatening a claim on a very old project for years. When will it lose the right to commence proceedings?
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FeaturesWhy has the RIBA ditched its fee scale graphs?
Why has the RIBA abandoned fee scale graphs in the depths of a recession when the profession needs them the most?
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FeaturesWhat are the risks of starting up on my own
I have completed part II, and intend to provide independent architectural services work: design services, planning applications, building control submissions and the like, so I can gain practical experience towards part III. My concern is liability. How far can I take a job before the possibility of getting sued arises?
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FeaturesHow do I dismiss an employee?
What procedures should I follow to dismiss an underperforming employee?
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FeaturesHow can I cut my costs further?
How do we reduce costs to survive in very difficult “dog-eat-dog” trading conditions?
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FeaturesCan we change which staff work on a project?
Is my client entitled to complain if I switch my staff around on a project?
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FeaturesInsurance for a technician
I am an architectural technician and plan to go self-employed and advertise my architectural services via a website. I intend to only produce drawings for planning and building regulations approval. Will I need professional indemnity insurance and public liability insurance?
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FeaturesIdeas for a short, simple contract
Your column keeps recommending standard appointment contracts and convoluted clauses that would frighten away most of my clients. In the real world, it is impossible to get clients to sign up to anything legalistic and more than a page or two long. What practical suggestions do you have for short, ...