The Owners' Manual | Issue 24 | Spring 2022

Legal Tip Why Did You Choose That Solution? Republished from Issue 17, Winter 2020.

Every day we are asked by clients to design something – a building, a roadway, a parking lot – or opine on something – whether there are utilities under the ground, whether a site is contaminated and then what is the fix, the solution or the plan. Often there is not one right way. Often there may be several. Our job as design consultants is to find the best solution that meets code, environmental regulations, state and local requirements and the client’s wishes. If we can’t meet all of these aspects, it is incumbent and imperative on us to go back to the client, explain the issues and offer the client solutions to move forward. It is then the client’s decision as to what to do. I challenge you to ask the tough questions up front. Why am I recommending this design, this solution, this path forward? Is there another way? And have I checked with the client? Let’s not let 20/20 hindsight rule the day. Let’s be proactive and ask the questions at the outset to get the best outcome we can for our clients.