GBA Case History Series – Case History #2 - Client's Who Don't Follow Advice Should Be Someone Else's Client

Summary

The GBA Member Firm performed a geotechnical study for a repeat client, a custom-home builder, to identify potential groundwater problems for construction of a two-story home near the flank of a ridge. It was a hand-shake deal. Despite recommendations for drainage provisions and construction monitoring, the client went silent. Two months after completion, the basement began experiencing cracking, buckling, and water seepage. While admitting he ignored important recommendations, the client representative wanted the Member Firm to contribute money to help pay for repairs. In exchange for a full release, the Member Firm contributed a token amount for the repairs and quickly walked away.

Our Hosts:

Elizabeth Brown, PE - Principal Geotechnical Engineer/JLT Consultants

Elizabeth is the Principal Geotechnical Engineer at JLT Consultants in Boise, Idaho. Elizabeth has performed and/or assisted with numerous geotechnical investigations throughout Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming managing projects, providing geotechnical design, project quality control, cost and value engineering, and evaluating geotechnical constructability issues.

Abi Corbett – Project Consultant/SME.

Abi is a Project Consultant at SME experienced in managing a variety of steel, concrete, coatings, and nondestructive testing projects. She specializes in managing projects related to DOT fabrication quality assurance reviews but also supports project managers throughout SME’s various service groups.

Lessons Learned:

Residential Projects Pose High Risk • Foolish Clients Create Risks • Lack of a Written Agreement Creates Risk • Use the Term “Confirmation-Dependent Recommendations” • Settle and move on • Be Wary of Groundwater Issues

Calls-to-action:

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This episode was produced by the following GBA Members:

Abi Corbett – Project Consultant/SME.
Elizabeth Brown, PE - Principal Geotechnical Engineer/JLT Consultants
Ryan White, PE, GE – Principal Geotechnical Engineer/Apex Companies, LLC