ABSTRACT
During recent years the profession has become much more competitive and high risk, with far greater potential for things to go wrong with clients, fees and building contracts. Many problems stem from a lack of communication between architect and client. Indeed, communication is listening to a client’s needs as well as speaking. Time spent developing a detailed brief, recording it in writing and monitoring it against the progress of the job will be thoroughly worthwhile. This will avoid potential problems arising and reduce the risk of a poorly run job. More frequently architects are reported in professional conduct issues for lack of comprehensive terms of engagement. Architects need to be keen business people, who can generate and manage work, including client expectations, while getting paid and avoiding legal claims. There is always the risk of being sued for negligence. The RIBA code is based on three principles of professional conduct: integrity, competence and relationships.
