OFFERING DESIGN BUILD SERVICES

[rnorth]

hello,
I recently got my PE in NYS and am considering a position with a contractor who does a siginificant amount of septic work. question: can we ethically offer design build services to clients. design, stamped plans as the first step, then installation of the septic system?
i came from a company that did design and stamp there own work for many years as an engineered material supplier - as long as the projects were not high risk (bridges, etc) and have seen other contractors provide design build services. ex. a contractor supplies a pre-engineered metal building and hires an engineer to do draw design and stamp the foundation plans.
T.I.A.

 

[JStephen]

Look up your state rules on engineering and read them thoroughly. It varies from state to state.

Specifically, look at the requirements for a corporate license or certificate of authority.

Generally, a contracting company can do construction work and hire a consultant to do design work in connection with that. But in a lot of states, the contracting company can't legally advertise engineering services under those conditions.

 

[strguy11]

If it it work for a private owner, then I dont see any issues. If the work is paid for with public dollars, then there would need to be some sort of design-build law in your state to cover this.

 

[sundale]

I would not see any ethical issues in such a design build situation as long as you put your duty to the public as a P.E. ahead of potentially turning an increased profit with a substandard design on the construction end.

My old boss made fairly easy money with septic designs. They are not rocket science, there is very little liability and you get alot of "windshield time" for the inspections. Not a bad gig at all, if perhaps a little mundane.

Why would you be looking to stamp septic systems if your Eng Tips discipline says structural?