CHAPTER 2.

THE PRACTICE OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

2.1 CLIENT-CIVIL ENGINEER RELATIONSHIPS
Obligations of the Civil Engineer
1. Perform the agreed upon scope of the services.
2. Exercise reasonable skill, care, and diligence in the performance of obligations.
3. Act independently and, as required by the contract, perform with the necessary skills and
professional judgment, when required to certify, decide, or exercise discretion between the
client and a third party with whom the client has a contract.
4. Authorized to act as the client’s faithful agent when required but only as implied in the
contract adopted for the project.
5. When aware of any matters which will change or has changed the scope of the services,
the civil engineer shall give written notice to the client containing particulars of the change.
6. For specified staged services, the civil engineer shall not initiate or proceed with any
subsequent stage of the services without the approval of the client.
7. Direct and cooperate with all other professionals and integrate their work where applicable,
but shall not be professionally liable for their (other professionals’) work
8. May recommend specialist suppliers and/or contractors to design and execute certain parts
of the works, but the civil engineer shall be relieved of all responsibility for the design,
manufacture, installation, and performance of any such parts of the works. The civil
engineer shall not be liable for acts of negligence, default, or omission by such person or
persons.
9. Notify the client of any interest the civil engineer has which may significantly conflict with
the interests of the client under their contract.
Obligations of the Client
1. Pay the civil engineer for his services, with the amount determined in their agreement.
2. Provide the civil engineer within reasonable time all information required by the civil
engineer in the performance of his services.
3. Cooperate with the civil engineer and shall not interfere with or obstruct the proper
performance of the services.
4. Make arrangements that enable the civil engineer to enter the site and inspect facilities
needed in the performance of his services.
5. Arrange for the provision of services from other professionals or others as may be required
and bear all costs.
6. When the civil engineer is required to administer the work of other professionals on behalf
of the client, all instructions by the client shall be given through the civil engineer.
7. When aware of any matter which will change or has changed the scope of the civil
engineer’s services, the client shall notify the particulars of the change.
Liability of the Civil Engineer and the Client
Limitation of Civil Engineer’s Responsibility
1. The civil engineer shall have no responsibility or liability for costs, loss, or damage of
whatsoever nature arising from any errors in or omission from data, documents, plans,
design, or specifications not prepared by the civil engineer or other personnel under the
direct control of the civil engineer.
2. Notwithstanding any recommendation or lack of recommendation made by the civil
engineer to the client, the civil engineer shall not be held to have made any warranty or
promise as to the suitability, competence, or performance of any other consultant,
contractor, supplier, or other third party.
3. The civil engineer shall not be responsible for the techniques, method, programmes,
sequences, or procedures adopted by any contractor or other third party responsible for
executing any aspects of the project.
Damages
If found that the civil engineer undertaking services is liable to the client, damages shall be payable
on the following terms
1. Damages payable shall be limited to the amount of reasonably foreseeable loss and damage
suffered as a direct result of such breach.
2. The maximum amount of damages payable in respect of liability, whether under the law or
contract, or otherwise, is limited to the amount specified in the specific provision or, if no
such amount or provision is specified, to the lesser of P300,000 or 10% of the total amount
of damages of the portion of the work attributable to the civil engineer’s breach of duty or
25% of the total of fees payable under their agreement
3. If found to be liable, in circumstances where the acts or omissions of a third party have
contributed to the loss or damage, the proportion of damages payable by the party found
liable shall be limited to that proportion which is attributable to that party’s breach of duty,
whether the claims are made under contract or otherwise
2.2 CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES
1. Design, consultations and advice
2. Feasibility studies
3. Field investigations and engineering data collection
4. Environmental assessments, impact statements or engineering reports
5. Opinions of probable construction cost
6. Preliminary and final designs, drawings, specifications, and construction bidding
documents
7. Assistance in securing construction bids and in awarding contracts
8. Construction administration and observation
9. Arrangements for or performance of testing of materials and equipment
10. Assistance in start-up, assessment of capacity, and operation of facilities
 11. Preparation of operation and maintenance manuals
12. Appraisals and rate studies
13. Value engineering
14. Expert testimony
15. Assessment of risks
16. Structural remediation or rehabilitation
17. Project management and controls
18. Provision of supplemental temporary staff
19. Teaching
2.3 SPECIALIZATION IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
Five specializations recognized by PICE
1. Structural engineering
2. Geotechnical engineering
3. Water engineering
4. Transportation engineering
5. Construction management and engineering