Mr. Jacobs,
Your opinion that the document price is reasonable (not excessive) can't be debated as that is your opinion. If you're not bothered by it, then OK, case closed, carry on. However, to state that "they are expensive until you get sued, and then the extra language makes them seem like a bargain" is a silly argument or a logical fallacy (a false dilemma), because there are infinite options that are a better choice than being sued. The AIA could set any price if that was the option. In other words, how much would you pay not to be sued?
The price is excessive, the dues should care for most of the price, the previous system now seems fair, they're likely trying to pay for the cost of the online platform and as Lucas Gray so keenly observed, make them extremely low for members and "punish" the non-members.
This is ridiculous and it needs to be adjusted.
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Lee Calisti AIA
Principal
lee CALISTI architecture+design
Greensburg PA
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-28-2017 17:57
From: Anthony Jacobs
Subject: AIA Contract Documents
I am a partner in an extremely small firm (three partners, I'm the only licensed architect). We are currently using the Design Build Family of documents on a project. I don't think the cost of the documents is excessive. I think that they protect every party's interests equally well, as they are written. We have considered the full subscription price to have documents where all the language can be amended, but for now the fill in the blank form works fine for us. Up until this year, we tended to use contract documents (modified from architect friends' documents) that were shorter, but less robust and well defined. I think the extra cost of AIA documents are worth it. They are expensive until you get sued, and then the extra language makes them seem like a bargain.
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Anthony Jacobs AIA
Partner
Studium
Wichita KS
Original Message:
Sent: 08-25-2017 17:59
From: Sean Catherall
Subject: AIA Contract Documents
I have a difficult time expressing my rage when it comes to what the AIA has done when it comes to contract documents and AIA members. Instead of treating us as partners in the development of tools for members, the national organization has treated us as a market for products. Instead of asking us what we want and then responding within the structure of the dues we already paid, they have told us what we want and then told us how much extra we will pay.
One anecdote: I did some design + build partnering with good friend of mine who is a general contractor. The poor naive soul was eager to use AIA contract documents with clients. When he saw the cost, he stood open-mouthed for a minute, then asked what "my" cost is as an AIA member. I told him that "is" my cost as an AIA member. That was the beginning of his questioning what the purpose of the AIA was.
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Sean Catherall
Herriman UT
Original Message:
Sent: 08-24-2017 12:09
From: Michael Potter
Subject: AIA Contract Documents
"AIA recently changed the way contract documents are accessed and purchased. Currently you can either buy individual documents with no subscription or you can purchase an unlimited annual subscription for $ 950.00. If you had the old Annual Limited Use License, it cost around $300.00 per year and you got 150 units or about $10.00 for most documents other than contracts and general conditions. Under the new program, these documents are approximately three times that amount. My question is: How many of you are happy with the new programs, how many of you like the on-line feature and how many of you would rather go back to the old method where you purchased a license and you got x amount of units and they were good until you ran out and then you bought a new license? Are small firms being priced out of using AIA Contract Documents? AIA Contract Documents is one of the largest benefits of being a member of AIA. Pricing us out of the market is not representing the small firms.
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Michael Potter AIA
Owner/architect
Potter Architecture,LLC
Cheyenne WY
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