Ron, Russ, David, if you do enough condominium work in Florida you become well acquainted with Florida Statutes Chapter 718 some of which is referred to as “Florida Condo Law” - very interesting reading or as many attorneys have told me, documents like these is why lawyers exist in the first place…and have so much work in Florida.
I knew I should have gone to law school!!!
Being quite old, old fashioned,and rather short of full intelligence, this all baffles me.
Went on a search to better understand-- found this
http://www.c-risk.com/Client_Services/Const_Defect_01.htm
But more confused after reading the second paragraph under “Construction Process”.
Guess your guys, Jerry, operate differently yet!
Jerry,
I did a 20-story condo over in Pelican Bay, FL back in the 80’s and the Owner/Developer told us to remove the floor slab reinforcing mesh from the documents. Our Engineer said “no way”. So the Owner said fine, leave it on the permit drawings, we just won’t install it! Welcome to Florida…same old, same old.
Jerome,
I have a solution for you. Give them the original Word spec files and have them delete out the references. That way they are responsible for the changes and not you.
Russell, that reminds me of the “reusable” paving rebar grids I’ve heard about (in place for inspection, but removed before pouring for re-use in subsequent paving).
Ralph, I did the same search and noticed what I think is the same paragraph: “During the construction inspection process, C-Risk will verify that the work has been performed in accordance with the final set of approved plans and specifications, and that all applicable industry standards and manufacturers installation requirements have been met. We put a heavy emphasis on the critical areas of the construction process that have had a history of construction defect or homeowner warranty related complaints.”
So, eliminating referenced “applicable industry standards” – even late in the game – means that compliance with the “final set” of documents would be much easier to verify, right? And furthermore, it reduces (to zero!) the occurrence of defects due to non-conformance with those standards, right? And yet, how many “homeowner warranty related complaints” are based specifically on such nonconformance with standards? Few if any, I would guess.
What an easy, simple, inexpensive way to eliminate so many potential defects, in one fell swoop… 
Jerome,
if you give them the word files to change make sure you have a dated set that showing what you originally gave them, then get a waiver regarding any liability for changes.
PS make them pay for the copies big time.
David
We never give editable files to Developers, Contractors, or Architects. Sometimes we issue PDF’s. Thanks for the suggestion, but there is no way I would ever do that. I’d rather they scan the specs and do that on their own, of course once they scan the specs, per our agreement, our limited liability and our agreement is null and void.