Looking for advice from existing truss design consultants.

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Hello everyone, I am a truss design tech and I am considering doing independent design work rather than being attached to a specific manufacturer. I am just starting to do some research to see if this is viable for me and I have a number of questions that I need to have answered before I can decide whether I am going to attempt this or not. Any advice from people who are independent consultants or from people who have worked with them would be sincerely appreciated.-I did a thread search looking for methods of billing. The only thing I really found was a discussion on the possibility of billing by the board foot. Personally  I prefer the idea of billing by the hour but if it is an industry standard to do it the other way then I would consider it.-What kind of liability is incurred when an independent designer makes an error and is there a certain type of insurance required? (links would be appreciated)-Do independent designers typically negotiate a contract with manufacturers to do x number of jobs per week or is it usually just a matter of taking what work that is given to you?Any advice at all would be sincerely appreciated.ThanksStaircases
Reply:I think you'll have much better luck getting advice of the kind you're looking for at this forum,http://www.eng-tips.com/threadarea.cfmTake a look at the forum on starting an engineering business. and do a search on truss design business.  I think you'll find a thread that recommends not going into that line of work in this economy.  There's just not enough profit margins to get a new business off the ground.There are also discussions of liability, insurance, and P.E. lisencing....Good luck.Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector