Requesting Free Design Services

[Richard A Hetzel]

There are many requests in this and other similar forums for free design services. I don't think such free services can be logically expected of forums such as this, for the following reasons:

1. The responder will not have a full and complete overview of every condition which could impact on the design. Descriptions provided by lay people are usually very sketchy, and even after questioning, a full picture may not emerge. Therefore such design services would be very risky at best, and completely irresponsible at worst.

2. The responder may not be licensed in the state or province where the questioner is located, and providing services, whether free or paid, without a license could be punishable by severe fines or other penalties.

3. There are people who perform such services for a living. Asking for free services is exactly the same as asking a lumberyard for free lumber, or a contractor for free labor. And offering free services is, among professionals, considered to be unethical.

So, please don't ask or expect free design services, even for a seemingly insignificant thing. There is nothing insignificant in structural design.

[Rich]

http://www.construction-resource.com/tos.php

[cregan]

Richard,

In the "long PM" I neither berated you, nor did I call you a scoundrel or anything even remotely like it. You certainly do have a very strong flair for the dramatic.

I ackowledged and accepted that the if your best resonse was a suggestion that I seek professional assistance, that was fine with me. I then noted that you appeared to have been very helpful in posts to others and inquired whether something about my particular question had put you off.

Your response to my PM was very well reasoned and gave me some very good advice which I have taken. So thank you for that.

You certainly have every right to respond and post as you please..or not.

Even to be so gratuitously cruel to that poor woman with the new kitchen.....

[Richard A Hetzel]

OH, the "ugly" kitchen, you mean? The one where she went from a light airy kitchen to a dark dismal (depite being over-lit)l one? OK OK, I'll go tell her it's nice, it it will make you feel better.

"Oh lady...yes, you over there...nice kitchen you got there." Uh huh.