24th October 2006, 10:24 PM
1man,
The quality statement should read more like 'necessary' quality, or better yet 'I can think of some who often put short-term price savings before the quality necessary to achive the project's aims and objectives' - often I encounter, with clients of all sizes, that there is favourable treatment given to those expressing the view that the archeaology is 'nothing to worry about' or of less consequence than it may actually be. This can invariably push down prices on projects and is a sin committed by consultants and contractors alike (but not by all of them!). While this may be more common in smaller scale projects, it certainly is not limited to them. The consequences of this are there for all to see. Hence my statement (with caveat) about curators and the variable nature of fieldwork and reporting requirements. It is this environment that allows poor quality reports to be given to me to form the basis for mitigation strategies and is also what would make the use of students and the like financially beneficial to a project's budget.
So I agree - the right balance is essential and I would never advise a client do more than is required by their planning condition. My fear and frequent frustration is that I often see the results of projects which do not meet even these minimum requirements.
Back still Hurting.....
don't panic!
The quality statement should read more like 'necessary' quality, or better yet 'I can think of some who often put short-term price savings before the quality necessary to achive the project's aims and objectives' - often I encounter, with clients of all sizes, that there is favourable treatment given to those expressing the view that the archeaology is 'nothing to worry about' or of less consequence than it may actually be. This can invariably push down prices on projects and is a sin committed by consultants and contractors alike (but not by all of them!). While this may be more common in smaller scale projects, it certainly is not limited to them. The consequences of this are there for all to see. Hence my statement (with caveat) about curators and the variable nature of fieldwork and reporting requirements. It is this environment that allows poor quality reports to be given to me to form the basis for mitigation strategies and is also what would make the use of students and the like financially beneficial to a project's budget.
So I agree - the right balance is essential and I would never advise a client do more than is required by their planning condition. My fear and frequent frustration is that I often see the results of projects which do not meet even these minimum requirements.
Back still Hurting.....
don't panic!