Client Care Flashcards

1
Q

If you were to open up your own practice, what insurance must you have in place?

A

Professional Indemnity Insurance
Public Liability Insurance
Employer’s liability insurance

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2
Q

Why would you need professional indemnity insurance?

A

I would need professional indemnity insurance to protect myself and my practice from any claim for loss or damage due to negligent advice.

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3
Q

What PI insurance exclusions are you aware of?

A

I know in recent years it has become common for insurance brokers to be reluctant to provide cover for fire safety. However, insurance brokers excluding this must apply to RICS for this exclusion. From May 2021, exclusion for fire safety is not permitted for properties 4 storey’s and under.

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4
Q

In the February 2022 Guidance Note on PI Insurance, why do RICS require firms to have PI?

A

The purpose of PI Insurance is to protect a firm from :
1. Ensure if a firm faces a claim it is covered for any financial loss that can not be covered by its own resources.
2. Protect insured member and firm against the consequences of its liability to pay damages to third parties for breaches of professional duty through it’s professional work.
3. Ensure the firm’s clients do not suffer from the firm’s financial loss.

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5
Q

What is the minimum level of indemnity?

A

The minimum level of indemnity is calculated from a firm’s previous year turnover. For a turnover up to £100,000 it is £250k, between £100,101.0o to 200k it is £500k, and for turnover over £201,000 the minimum level of cover is £1million.

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6
Q

What is the maximum level of uninsured excess a firm must pay for a claim?

A

For turnover under £10million the firm must pay either 2.5% of sum insured or £10,000.00 whichever amount is greater. If the company’s turns over £10million there is no limit set.

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7
Q

What does fully retroactive cover mean?

A

PII policies work on a ‘claim made basis’ meaning the claim is covered if brought within the insured period, even if the negligence occurred previously, meaning all former work is covered by the insurance.

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8
Q

What do you know about Run Off Cover?

A

Run Off Cover must be in place for a minimum of 6 years after a firm ceases to trade and will cover the firm for any claims. For consumer consumer claims the minimum level of insurance must be £1million.

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9
Q

What can a firm do if their incumbent insurance broker will not provide them run off cover?

A

The firm can apply for insurance through the run-off pool.

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10
Q

How would you choose an insurance company?

A

I would be able to check the RICS approved list of insurers.

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11
Q

What limitation periods are in place under hand and under deed.

A

6 years when executed under hand
12 years when executed under deed

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12
Q

What are the requirements for PII set our by RICS?

A
  1. The cover must be on an ‘each and every’ claim basis.
  2. The RICS set out minimum levels of indemnity.
  3. The RICS sets the maximum levels of uninsured excess.
  4. The firm must have run off cover in place for at least 6 years.
  5. The PII must cover for past and present employees, directors and partners.
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13
Q

Do you know any Case Law relevant to PII?

A

Merrett vs Babb
The case dates back to 2001 and highlights the importance of run off cover. A surveyor was sued for negligence and as the firm no longer was in business the claimant successfully sued the individual for damages.

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14
Q

What steps would you take to set up a RICS Practice?

A
  1. Contact the RICS for guidance and obtain a company start up pack.
  2. Inform the RICS and register for regulation.
  3. Appoint a contact officer for all RICS communication and a responsible principal
  4. Prepare a complaint’s handling procedure.
  5. Obtain professional indemnity insurance cover.
  6. Abide the RICS rules of conduct for firms.
  7. Use the designation ‘Regulated by RICS’ on all practice material.
  8. Act in accordance with Royal Charter and Bye-Laws
  9. Notify RICS of any material change, liquidation or any disciplinary action
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15
Q

What information do registered firms need to send to RICS annually?

A
  1. It is called annual return and carried out on-line.
  2. Failure to do so leads to leads to a fixed penalty.
  3. It includes:
    - Type of business and staffing
    - Nature of client’s
    - Training provision
    - PI Insurance details
    - Whether the firm holds client’s money
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16
Q

How do you identify your client?

A

Working for my company, a client is someone who we owe a duty of care which is always the client but also includes my manager, the design team and my colleagues.

17
Q

How do you identify stakeholders?

A

A stakeholder is a person or organisation who has an interest in the project.

18
Q

How a fees established?

A
  1. To establish fees I would consider the the project scope, duration, key deliverables, and budget.
  2. From this I would establish the time required and the resources needed.
  3. I would check the market to ensure a fair rate, and then apply this rate to the the time required.
  4. I would always review this against the total budget cost as a sense check
  5. I would reflect and revisit during the appointment and always be open and transparent with the fees.
19
Q

What would you expect to see in a client’s brief?

A
  1. Scope of works
  2. Location
  3. Expected Duration
  4. Budget
  5. Quality standards
  6. Sustainability requirements
  7. Health and Safety objectives
20
Q

What do you understand by client care?

A

A continuous process of understanding a client’s needs and ensuring these are met, this can be achieved by:
1. A good understanding of the client’s needs
2. Having a complaint’s handling procedure
3. Quality Assurance Procedures
4. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
5. Client Feedback forms
6. Lessons Learned workshop

21
Q

What is good client care important?

A
  1. To retain existing client’s and secure repeat business
  2. Reduce the likelihood of conflict
  3. Good reputation
22
Q

How do you conduct yourself with a new client?

A

With a new client I always ensure to be well mannered, well presented, polite, respectful and honest.

23
Q

How do you build trust with the client?

A
  1. Always be open, honest and transparent with the client
  2. Act within my level of competence
  3. Always act in a professional manner
  4. Always provide a high level of service
24
Q

What is the difference between a client and a customer?

A

A client is someone who you build a relationship with and hope to provide them services over a period of time, whilst protecting their interests. A customer is someone who purchases a commodity or service and does not require an ongoing business relationship.

25
Q

Can you provide examples of QMS on your projects?

A
  1. Using company standard forms for subcontract orders
  2. Ensuring a payment schedule is produced and adhered to
  3. Regular reporting
  4. Following company procedure
  5. Ensuring H&S procedures are followed
26
Q

What would you include in a standard form of appointment?

A
  1. Identify parties involved
  2. Schedules
  3. Execution provisions
  4. Payment terms
  5. Complaints handling
  6. Personnel
  7. Client’s objectives
27
Q

What would you include in an engagement letter?

A
  1. Client details
  2. Description of works/scope/dates
  3. GDPR
  4. Programme
  5. Fees
  6. Terms and Conditions
  7. Signatures
28
Q

What are formal communication procedures you adopt in your work?

A
  1. Email/Zoom/Teams
  2. Be respectful
  3. Listen carefully
  4. Keep good records
  5. Response times
  6. Punctuality
29
Q

What would you do if you receive a complaint?

A

ETHICS - BE CAREFUL
1. Acknowledge receipt of the complaint
2. Notify the complaint handling manager
3. Appoint a person to carry out an investigation
4. Identify the outcome and course of action to rectify
5. Formally respond to the client, communicate outcome of the investigation and procedures put in place
6. Communicate internally
7. Review in the future
8. Inform the PI Insurers at each stage of the process.

30
Q

What is a complaint?

A

A complaint is an expression of dissatisfaction, they normally arise when expectations have not been met.

31
Q

Are you aware of any RICS Guidance relevant to complaints handling?

A

Complaint’s Handling 1st Edition 2016, updated following new RoC

32
Q

Can you give an example of good client care?

A
33
Q

What does the term ‘soft landings’ refer to?

A

Soft landings refers to the transition from construction to occupation, and ensures this is as bump free as possible.

34
Q

What do you understand about a lesson learnt workshop?

A

A workshop held to reflect on a recent success or failing on a project. If a failing occurs it ensure procedures are put in place to prevent it occurring again. If the project is successful this can be shared with the wider team.