Where an architectural practice engages engineers or other subconsultants as part of its services, the practice can remain responsible to the client for the overall engagement. A subconsultant’s Professional Indemnity Insurance protects that subconsultant and does not automatically protect the Architect.

Architects should consider clearly documented scopes and design responsibilities, relevant qualifications and experience, appropriate Professional Indemnity activities and limits, current Certificates of Currency, and suitable records of coordination and instructions. Material use of subconsultants should be disclosed to the insurer because policy treatment and underwriting requirements vary.

Landscape Architecture projects can involve civil or structural engineers, irrigation designers, arborists, ecologists and other specialists. Where the Landscape Architect engages these parties as part of its overall service, the practice can remain responsible to the client for their work.

A subconsultant’s insurance does not automatically protect the Landscape Architect. Consider written scopes, responsibilities, qualifications, experience, appropriate Professional Indemnity activities and limits, and current Certificates of Currency. The extent and type of subcontracted professional services should also be disclosed to the insurer.

Town Planners can engage traffic consultants, environmental consultants, engineers, surveyors and other specialist advisers. Using another consultant does not automatically transfer the Town Planner’s responsibility where the Town Planning business contracted to provide or coordinate the overall service.

Consider written scopes, qualifications, relevant Professional Indemnity Insurance, appropriate limits and current Certificates of Currency. Material subcontracting arrangements should be disclosed to the insurer because the policy response and underwriting requirements depend on the services, contracts and engagement structure.