Endorsement by Architects' Association in Spain (II)

Non-Mandatory Endorsement by Architects' Association in Spain

Architectural Services that Don't Require Endorsement by Architects' Association

In Spain, Royal Decree 1000/2010 determines which professional services should get mandatory endorsement by a Professional Association, as an exception to the client's choice. If we study its content, collated with the requirements of the 'Ley de Ordenación de la Edificación' (LOE), we can deduce which Architectural Services are considered to be exempt from endorsement.

1. Building Works Exempt from Endorsement

According to the LOE, new construction one-storey works with only minor constructive value and with technical simplicity, which character is not residential nor public, are not considered to be building works, so all architectural services needed to develop this kind of works are nor forced to be endorsed by the Architects' Association.

And the same goes for the projects of expansion, modification, alteration or rehabilitation of buildings, if they do not alter the architectural configuration and if they don't affect parts or elements subject to environmental protection, historical protection or artistic protection. It is understood that the work alters the architectural configuration of a building when it produces a substantial variation of the architectural composition, the built volumes, or the entire structural system, or it's targeted to change the characteristic building uses.

2. Exemption from Endorsement in Professional Services for Civil Services

Professional services contracted by Civil Services do not require endorsement by any Professional Association if they are subject to report by a project supervision office, or equivalent. The same goes for professional services contracted by a Civil Service in which the hiring process performs the verification of the identity and professional qualifications of the author's work, and checks the formal correctness and completeness of the delivered documentation.

3. Other Architectural Services without Endorsement

The following non-exhaustive list displays professional services that Spanish Architects can provide and which do not require endorsement by the Architects' Association:

• Urban Planning Services
• Definition of Boundaries, Stakeouts, Measurements and Valuations
• Technical Reports, Expert Opinions and Certificates
• Decor and Interior Design Services
• Structural Calculations, Documentation for Opening Permits, Construction Cost Schedules and Technical Inspection of Buildings.

Endorsement by Architects' Association in Spain (I)

Mandatory Endorsement by Architects' Association in Spain (I)

Architectural Services that Require Endorsement by Architects' Association

In Spain, the Royal Decree 1000/2010 identifies which professional services must necessarily obtain Endorsement by a Professional Associtation ('Visado colegial'), as an exception to the client's choice. These are the services in which there is a direct causal link between the professional service and the effect on the physical integrity and security of the people, and in which the Endorsement by a Professional Association is the best-proportioned means of control.

The Royal Decree also specifies the legal regime applicable to cases of Mandatory Endorsement.

Mandatory Endorsements

The Royal Decree 1000/2010 prescribes Mandatory Endorsement by a Professional Association only on the following professional services:

• Construction Documents for building projects
• Construction Completion Certificates in building projects
• Legalization Documents for buildings: Construction Documents and Completion Certificates that, if any, should be provided in administrative procedures for the legalization of building works
• Demolition Documents for buildings where the demolition doesn't require the use of explosives
• Documents related with blasting, explosives, ammunition and pyrotechnic projects
• Documents for exploitation projects of mineral resources.

Partial Documents Endorsement

Although professional services are developed or supplemented by partial documentation and other technical documents, the final documents may be endorsed just once and by only one Professional Association, which must be competent in the subject matter of the work. No need for partial endorsement of documents that are part of them.

The Competent Professional Association

For the mandatory endorsement, the undersigned professional should be directed to the Professional Association which is competent in the principal matter of the professional service. If several competent Professional Associations in the field, the practitioner can obtain the endorsement at any of them.

In the Construction Completion Certificates for building projects, the subject matter includes Direction of the Work and Direction of the Performance of the Work, so it's enough with the endorsement by a competent Professional Association in any of these two subjects.

Any Spanish practitioner can get endorsement at any of the Professional Associations in Spain.

Architect Daniel Trujillano

http://www.arquitectotrujillano.com/home.html

Architecture Services for Building Projects in Spain