Website Terms of Use & Professional Services Policy

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Welcome to the UT2 Design International website. This page outlines the legal, professional, and licensing guidelines governing the information, project consultations, and design services referenced on this site.
 

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1. Professional Services & Licensing Disclosures

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State of Texas Compliance

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All building design information, engineering concepts, and statutory guides provided on this website conform to the Texas Occupations Code § 1051.606.

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In compliance with the regulations set by the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners (TBAE), we explicitly disclose when projects do or do not legally require a licensed architect:

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• Commercial Projects: Buildings under 20,000 square feet that require no substantial structural or exitway changes may be designed and stamped solely by a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.).

• Public Construction: New public construction projects with an expected cost under $100,000 are exempt from architectural requirements, provided they comply with local municipality codes.

• Residential Projects: Single-family homes, duplexes, and multi-family complexes up to 16 living units are exempt from mandatory architectural licensing, excluding institutional or assisted living facilities. [3]

• Agricultural Buildings: Standard agricultural structures, including barns, silos, and sheds, do not require an architectural seal. ​

 

For any projects exceeding these thresholds, UT2 Design International ensures all architectural services are rendered exclusively by licensed architects or P.E.s designated on the official TBAE Excepted Engineers List.

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State of Ohio Compliance
 

In accordance with the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Chapter 4703 and the Ohio Building Code (OBC) Section 106.2.1, the State of Ohio strictly regulates design services to protect public health and safety. Unlike other jurisdictions, Ohio does not grant blanket commercial square-footage exemptions. The licensing exemptions recognized on this website for Ohio projects include:
 

• Residential Projects: Detached one-, two-, and three-family dwellings, along with their associated accessory structures (such as residential garages, sheds, or tool houses), are completely exempt from mandatory architectural seals.

• Minor Commercial Alterations: The services of a registered design professional are not required for commercial renovations only when the local building official determines the scope of work involves no structural modifications, changes to fire-resistance ratings, alterations to the means of egress, or technical design analysis affecting public safety.

• Exempt Utility Structures: One-story detached commercial accessory structures used exclusively as tool or storage sheds do not require a design seal, provided the total floor area does not exceed 120 square feet.
   

For all other commercial, industrial, institutional, or public works projects within the State of Ohio, UT2 Design International requires that all construction documents be reviewed, signed, and stamped by an Ohio-registered Architect or Professional Engineer acting as the design professional in responsible charge.

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​State of Georgia Compliance

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In accordance with Georgia Code § 43-4-14, an architect's seal is not required for structures that do not fall into high-risk or protected occupancy categories. Specific exemptions include:
 

• Single-Story Buildings: Any single-story building that does not exceed 5,000 square feet in area.

• Pre-engineered Buildings: One-story pre-engineered buildings, unless classified as high-hazard or other restricted occupancies.

• Incidental Business/Mercantile: Business or mercantile occupancies under 5,000 square feet.

• Residential Projects: One and two-family residences (and domestic outbuildings) are exempt regardless of square footage or cost.

• Agricultural Buildings: Buildings used for agricultural occupancy on a farm or state-owned farmer's markets.

• Key Exception: An architectural stamp remains strictly required for any of the above if mandated by specific use, municipality, or county permit regulations.
   

For any projects exceeding these state thresholds, UT2 Design International ensures all architectural services are rendered exclusively by licensed architects or P.E.s designated on the official state registration lists.

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2. Business Registration & Title Compliance

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The State of Texas requires any business entity that offers or provides architectural, engineering, and landscape architectural services—or one that uses the protected titles "registered Architect", "licensed engineer", or "registered interior designer" to describe itself or its services—to register annually with the Board.

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The UT2 Design International website features independent designs under the designated title "independent designer". Because we do not use protected titles or offer services that legally necessitate a registered architect or registered interior designer under current state thresholds, UT2 Design International is not required to register as an architectural firm with the Board and has no known title violations.

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3. Information Accuracy & User Acknowledgement
 

The regulatory summaries provided on this website are for informational purposes only and do not constitute formal legal or engineering counsel. Building codes, municipal ordinances, and licensing exemptions change frequently.

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If you are wondering whether you need a registered Architect on your specific project team, we highly encourage you to review the current, official requirements directly on the Board of Architectural, Engineer, and/or Contractors at your State's website.

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By using this website, you explicitly agree that you understand the regulatory requirements outlined by the State where service will be rendered and the specific nature of the independent services offered by UT2 Design International.

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4. User Privacy & Contact Forms
 

If you submit personal information through our contact forms, request estimates, or communicate with us digitally, your data is handled with strict confidentiality.
 

• Data Collection: We only collect information you voluntarily provide, such as your name, email address, phone number, and project details.

• Data Usage: Your information is strictly used to evaluate your design management needs and provide project consultations.

• No Third-Party Sharing: We do not sell, rent, or distribute your personal data to outside marketing firms or unauthorized third parties.

 

5. Limitation of Liability
 

The design concepts, estimates, and preliminary plans featured on this website are illustrative tools intended to showcase past work and potential design directions. UT2 Design International is not liable for structural, safety, or financial discrepancies resulting from users attempting to apply website information to independent construction without a direct, signed service agreement with our firm.

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6. Intellectual Property
 

All website content, including text, graphics, technical flowcharts, and layout designs, belongs to UT2 Design International. Unauthorized duplication, hotlinking, or distribution of this proprietary material without express written consent is strictly prohibited.
 

Thank you in advance for your consideration in using UT2 Design International to serve your design management needs.
 

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