Five Steps To Make New Lodging Facilities Comply With The ADA

STEP 2: TELL YOUR ARCHITECT AND BUILDING CONTRACTOR THAT YOU EXPECT YOUR NEW FACILITY TO COMPLY WITH THE ADA.

Standard design and building contracts typically require compliance with federal laws, so most architects and building contractors should know that lodging facilities must comply with the ADA. Nevertheless, owners and franchisors of new lodging facilities should put all parties that participate in the design and construction process, including architects, interior designers, building contractors, and franchise design and construction staff, on notice that new lodging facilities must comply with all ADA requirements.

Emphasize with your architect, your designer, your building contractor, and franchise design and construction staff that ADA compliance is a top priority. You may want to include specific terms in design and building contracts that require strict ADA compliance. In addition, you should require your architect to provide written confirmation that building plans and construction drawings comply with ADA requirements and, once the facility is constructed, reconfirm that the lodging facility meets all ADA requirements. You should also include terms in design and building contracts that require your architect and building contractor to fix and pay the costs of fixing all ADA mistakes discovered during and after construction. Whatever you do, make sure your architect and building contractor know that you expect full ADA compliance.