Terms & Conditions

These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your use of the Pineland Engineering website located at pinelandengineering.com and describe the general conditions under which Pineland Engineering - A Designda Inc. Company ("Pineland Engineering," "we," "us," or "our") provides professional architecture and engineering services.

These Terms are intended to serve as a secondary reference document and supplement to any executed professional services agreement, proposal, letter of engagement, or contract between Pineland Engineering and a client ("Client"). In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between these Terms and a fully executed written contract, the executed contract shall govern and control in all respects. Nothing in these Terms shall be construed to modify, limit, or supersede the terms of any signed agreement between the parties.

Pineland Engineering holds the following active Florida licenses issued by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR):

Architecture License: AR102594 Engineering License: 39202

All professional services are performed in accordance with applicable Florida Statutes, including Chapter 481 (Architecture and Interior Design) and Chapter 471 (Engineering), and in conformance with the standard of care applicable to licensed professionals practicing in the State of Florida.

Services offered by Pineland Engineering include, but are not limited to: architectural design, structural engineering, MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) engineering, coastal engineering, life safety engineering, on-site inspections, full permit sets, engineering letters, and letters of opinion. The specific scope of services for any engagement shall be defined in the applicable proposal or executed contract.

Services described on this website are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an offer, guarantee, or commitment to perform any specific service at any specific price. Pricing, timelines, and deliverables are subject to change and are confirmed only upon execution of a written agreement.

Pineland Engineering agrees to perform all professional services with the degree of care, skill, and diligence ordinarily exercised by licensed architects and engineers practicing in the State of Florida under similar conditions and circumstances. This standard of care does not imply or guarantee a perfect result, and Pineland Engineering makes no warranty, express or implied, beyond this professional standard.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Pineland Engineering's total liability to any client or third party for any claims, damages, losses, or expenses arising out of or related to the services provided — whether based on contract, tort, negligence, strict liability, or otherwise — shall not exceed the total professional fees paid by the client to Pineland Engineering for the specific services giving rise to the claim.

In no event shall Pineland Engineering be liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of revenue, loss of profits, loss of business, or loss of data, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

The Client is responsible for providing accurate, complete, and timely information necessary for Pineland Engineering to perform its services, including but not limited to: site surveys, geotechnical reports, existing as-built drawings, utility information, and any applicable regulatory requirements specific to the project location. Pineland Engineering shall not be liable for errors or delays resulting from incomplete, inaccurate, or untimely information provided by the Client or third parties.

All drawings, plans, specifications, reports, calculations, and other documents prepared by Pineland Engineering are instruments of professional service and remain the intellectual property of Pineland Engineering unless otherwise agreed in writing. Upon full payment of all fees due, the Client is granted a limited, non-exclusive license to use the deliverables solely for the specific project for which they were prepared. Reuse of documents for other projects or purposes without written consent is prohibited.

Payment terms for professional services are as specified in the applicable proposal or executed contract. Invoices are due upon receipt unless otherwise stated. Pineland Engineering reserves the right to suspend or terminate services for non-payment. Accounts past due by more than thirty (30) days may be subject to a late fee of 1.5% per month on the outstanding balance, or the maximum rate permitted by Florida law, whichever is less.

9.1 Non-Refundable Deposit. The deposit paid at contract execution is non-refundable. It is applied toward the final invoice — not against interim milestones — and secures Firm's availability to perform the services described in the proposal.

9.2 Progress Billing. Firm may invoice Client at any time based on the percentage of services completed, regardless of whether a specific deliverable has been formally submitted. Client agrees that any progress invoice is due and payable within fourteen (14) days of issuance.

9.3 Project Closure for Client Inaction. If Firm is unable to reach Client after three (3) written attempts over a period of thirty (30) or more calendar days, the project will be considered closed. Likewise, if Client requests a project pause without a confirmed, mutually agreed resumption date, the project may be closed at Firm's discretion. Firm will provide written notice of closure.

9.4 Outstanding Balance Due Upon Closure. Upon project closure under Section 9.3, or any termination by Client for convenience, the entire outstanding contract balance — not merely the deposit — becomes immediately due and payable. Client acknowledges that Firm's costs are substantially incurred during early-phase work and that partial deliverables represent real, compensable value. Client waives any right to claim that an incomplete permit set reduces the fee owed.

9.5 Work Product Held Until Account is Current. Firm has no obligation to release, transmit, or authorize use of any drawings, calculations, models, or documents while any invoice remains unpaid. All work product — electronic or otherwise, stamped or unstamped — remains the property of Firm until the account is paid in full.

9.6 Reactivation Fee. Projects reactivated after thirty (30) days of inactivity are subject to a reactivation fee of fifteen percent (15%) of the original contract fee, due prior to resumption of services. Firm reserves the right to decline reactivation requests based on staff availability, scheduling, or regulatory changes that occurred during the inactive period.

9.7 Acceptance. Acceptance of a proposal or quote from Pineland Engineering constitutes Client's agreement to these terms.

9.8 Native CAD and BIM File Release. The standard deliverable for all professional services is a signed and sealed PDF set. Release of native electronic drawing files — including AutoCAD DWG files or Autodesk Revit BIM models — is not included in the standard scope of services and is not required under any proposal, contract, or these Terms.

Firm may, at its sole discretion, release native files upon written request and full payment of the applicable file-release fee:

• AutoCAD DWG files: $250.00 per discipline (architectural, structural, or MEP billed separately). • Autodesk Revit model files: $750.00 per discipline (architectural, structural, or MEP billed separately).

All file-release fees are due in full prior to delivery of the files. Release of native files does not transfer ownership, copyright, or any intellectual property rights in the work product, which remain the exclusive property of Firm.

By accepting delivery of any native file, Client agrees to the following conditions: (a) the files are provided strictly for use on the specific project for which they were originally prepared and may not be reused, adapted, or incorporated into any other project without a new written agreement and additional fee; (b) Client assumes full responsibility and liability for any use, modification, or reliance on the native files after delivery, and Firm shall have no liability whatsoever for errors, omissions, or consequences arising from such use; (c) Firm's professional seal, if present in the files, applies only to the documents as originally issued in PDF form and does not extend to any modified or derivative version of the native files; and (d) Client shall not distribute, share, or provide the native files to any third party without prior written consent of Firm.

Firm reserves the right to decline any request for native file release without cause or explanation.

Breach and Unauthorized Modification. Any unauthorized use, modification, redistribution, or reuse of native files in violation of the conditions set forth in this Section 9.8 shall constitute a material breach of these Terms and of any applicable service agreement between Client and Firm. In the event of such breach, Client shall be liable to Firm for the following, in addition to any actual damages proven:

(i) Liquidated damages of $5,000.00 per discipline per unauthorized project on which the native files are used or adapted, the parties acknowledging that actual damages from such unauthorized use are difficult to ascertain and that this amount represents a reasonable pre-estimate of harm; (ii) All attorneys' fees, court costs, and expenses incurred by Firm in enforcing this Section; (iii) Disgorgement of any fees, savings, or profits realized by Client or any third party as a result of the unauthorized use; and (iv) Injunctive relief, which Client acknowledges is appropriate given that monetary damages alone may be an inadequate remedy for unauthorized use of proprietary engineering and architectural work product.

Client expressly acknowledges that the professional seal of the licensed engineer or architect of record affixed to the original permitted documents does not authorize any third party to modify, adapt, or re-stamp those documents, and that any such action may constitute the unauthorized practice of engineering or architecture under Florida Statutes §§ 471 and 481, exposing the responsible party to civil and criminal liability independent of these Terms.

9.9 Change Orders and Out-of-Scope Work. The scope of services for each engagement is defined in the applicable proposal or executed contract. Any request by Client to add, modify, or expand the scope of services beyond what is expressly described in the proposal — including but not limited to additional design revisions, redesign resulting from Client-directed changes, coordination with additional consultants, responses to plan review comments beyond one standard resubmittal, permit resubmittals due to Client-initiated design changes, or additional site visits — shall constitute a change in scope and will be billed as an Additional Service.

Additional Services are billed at the Firm's then-current hourly rate of $175.00 per hour, with a minimum charge of one (1) billable hour per change order engagement. Firm will endeavor to notify Client in advance when a request is likely to constitute an Additional Service; however, Firm's failure to provide advance notice shall not waive its right to bill for out-of-scope work performed at Client's direction or request.

Change orders are due and payable within fourteen (14) days of invoice issuance. Unpaid change order invoices are subject to the same late fee and work-hold provisions set forth in Sections 8 and 9.5 of these Terms. Client's written or electronic approval of a change order, or Client's direction to proceed with out-of-scope work, constitutes acceptance of the associated fees.

9.10 Termination for Client Misconduct. Firm may terminate this engagement immediately upon written notice if Client: (a) requests, demands, or directs Firm to seal, certify, stamp, or submit documents containing information Firm has not independently verified or that Firm has reason to believe is inaccurate, fabricated, or materially incomplete; (b) engages in conduct that, in Firm's professional judgment, would require Firm to violate its obligations under Florida Statutes §§ 471 or 481, applicable rules of professional conduct, or the standard of care applicable to licensed professionals; or (c) threatens, harasses, or coerces Firm or its personnel in connection with the performance of professional services. Upon termination under this Section, the full outstanding contract balance becomes immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 9.4, and Firm retains all rights under Section 9.5 to withhold work product until the account is paid in full.

The Client acknowledges that artificial intelligence ("AI") tools, including but not limited to language models, design review platforms, and automated code-analysis systems, may generate comments, recommendations, interpretations, or critiques regarding the Project Documents.

The Architect/Engineer of Record shall have sole authority to determine the technical accuracy, code compliance, completeness, and appropriateness of all design documents and revisions. The Firm shall have no obligation to accept, implement, investigate, or respond to comments, recommendations, or revision requests generated by AI tools unless, in the Firm's professional judgment, such comments identify a legitimate design issue requiring further evaluation.

Review of Client-submitted third-party comments, including comments generated by artificial intelligence platforms, shall constitute an Additional Service billable at the Firm's then-current hourly rate of $175 per hour, with a minimum of two (2) billable hours per review engagement. The Firm shall not be responsible for delays, redesign costs, permitting impacts, or other consequences resulting from the Client's reliance on AI-generated analyses, interpretations, or recommendations.

The Client understands that AI-generated output does not constitute professional architectural or engineering advice and shall not supersede the judgment of the licensed design professionals responsible for the Project.

Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or the services provided by Pineland Engineering shall first be subject to good-faith negotiation between the parties. If negotiation fails to resolve the dispute within thirty (30) days, the parties agree to submit the matter to non-binding mediation before initiating any legal proceedings. Any litigation shall be filed exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Lee County, Florida, and both parties consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts.

These Terms and any services provided by Pineland Engineering shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

This website is provided for informational purposes only. You agree not to use this website for any unlawful purpose or in any manner that could damage, disable, or impair the website or interfere with any other party's use of the website. Pineland Engineering reserves the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any aspect of the website at any time without notice.

Pineland Engineering reserves the right to update or modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. Continued use of this website or engagement of our services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

For questions regarding these Terms, please contact us at:

Pineland Engineering — Designda Inc. PO Box 417, Pineland, FL 33945 Phone: (239) 233-5133 Email: laura@pinelandengineering.com