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I would like some advice about a rogue architect please
Hello, would welcome some advice about a rogue architect.
We are trying to get our enormous house renovation project off the ground. But at every turn we have found our architect has let us down. Two times incorrect planning applications (errors at his end, not planning disputes); incorrect drawings; some drawings not to scale (he has stopped putting the scale on as we keep questioning it); elevations not matching internal drawings for window placements; incomplete tender packages just to name a few issues (I won’t start on the fact his wife was meant to do the interior designs and we didn’t so much as even receive a mood board from her).
We have been working on this for 18months and we still do not have a complete set of drawings nor the correct planning and we are due to move out this month and we thought building works would start in November.
We have a great builder who we do trust and we now have on board a brilliant interior designer both of them have the attention to detail our architect lacks.
Looking into raising a complaint, I have discovered that despite stating the practice/he is ARB accredited they are not.
We are really keen to get started but I am seriously concerned about proceeding with dodgy drawings. Should we just fire him, report him to the ARB, try to seek compensation and start with a new architect? It could cost us a lot in deposits.
Any advice would be welcome.
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8 Replies
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A licensed architect will have liability insurance which covers you if there are design defects that emerge later on and you have to start throwing claims around – so do not start building with these dodgy drawings! (and having a scale on construction drawings is just such a basic requirement though!) I’d fire them and report them to trading standards and the relevant professional body. You may find a new, licensed architect who might be willing to work with the drawings you have, but IMO you should prepare yourself for having to start again.
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There’s a lady on this page, Sarah Schutte, who may be able to help you with legal redress. I wouldn’t even consider working with them any longer. The loss in deposits could be the best money you spend on the project. Good luck with it.
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Thanks all appreciate the feedback, especially the warning on the insurance. I believe he is a Spanish qualified architect but it would appear that neither he, nor anyone in his employ is ARB registered.
Looks like we will be starting again…my gut told me not to progress.
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I am happy to give you some pointers on your options, and to act to recover the fees spent if the products are deficient /unusable.
Everyone: all users of the protected title Architect must be registered with the Architects Registration Board (ARB) pursuant to the Architects Act 1997; it is a criminal offence to use it without registration and proper accreditation. A non-UK-accredited architect may have equivalent qualifications. All Architects must hold Professional Indemnity Insurance.
This is one of a number of such titles – as a matter of public policy ie for consumer confidence and business propriety – others include : Solicitor, Doctor, Teacher, Engineer …
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Definitely report to ARB, it’s incredibly damaging to the profession that people call themselves registered architects when they are not.
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Note – if you fire your architect you must make sure whoever you appoint to take the project forwards is also appointed as a principal designer BREGS, or this responsibility must be covered by the interior designer or contractor if they have the right skills and insurances.
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Absolutely report to ARB, legally he shouldn’t be calling himself an architect unless he is qualified and registered with them. ARB is there to protect the public and maintain professional standards. I hope that helps
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One last additional challenge is your build works insurance may be something you have over looked? Your own house insurance won’t cover works undertaken and will be something you need to protect your home during works! In addition as above an unregistered architect puts you entirely at risk with no protection during your project.
A recent homeowner we’ve worked with relied on her architect to be present weekly to help manage the builder, this architect was her lifeline to ensure works were carried out correctly throughout and was her point of contact should any key decisions need to be made. Am so sorry to hear you’re under this stress hope you can move forward with someone quickly.
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