Hello everyone,
I have a serious problem: I hired an architect for the renovation of a single-family house. The contract was to prepare the submission documents and handle the entire process with the authorities.
The contract date was, believe it or not, seven (7!!!!) months ago. During this time, I received two drafts that did not meet my requirements, and otherwise only empty promises. The originally agreed submission deadline was the end of May. If the now communicated submission around mid-October is met, that would mean a delay of four and a half months. Since we have already made a down payment and I don’t want to hire a new architect because of the entire process, I’m at a loss and am turning to you in the hope of getting some advice.
Throughout the project phase, no deadlines were met, let alone was I informed when deadlines could not be met. There were an incredible 21 missed or postponed appointments during this period. I was promised 3D plans of the exterior and interior at the beginning of September, even though the floor plan data was already finalized, but they still have not been delivered. Since I intend to rent out the property and expect rental income of 1500-2000€/m (around $1,600-$2,100 per month), I am now facing a loss of nearly €10,000 (around $11,000) from lost rental income alone. Due to the inability to apply for a loan and rising interest costs, the total financial impact of the delay likely amounts to a six-figure sum for us.
Is there anything that can be done here? As mentioned, I cannot hire a new architect now, as that would mean starting the whole process over again. Unfortunately, I should have pulled the plug on this three months ago....
Thank you in advance for your responses.
Best regards,
nico333
I have a serious problem: I hired an architect for the renovation of a single-family house. The contract was to prepare the submission documents and handle the entire process with the authorities.
The contract date was, believe it or not, seven (7!!!!) months ago. During this time, I received two drafts that did not meet my requirements, and otherwise only empty promises. The originally agreed submission deadline was the end of May. If the now communicated submission around mid-October is met, that would mean a delay of four and a half months. Since we have already made a down payment and I don’t want to hire a new architect because of the entire process, I’m at a loss and am turning to you in the hope of getting some advice.
Throughout the project phase, no deadlines were met, let alone was I informed when deadlines could not be met. There were an incredible 21 missed or postponed appointments during this period. I was promised 3D plans of the exterior and interior at the beginning of September, even though the floor plan data was already finalized, but they still have not been delivered. Since I intend to rent out the property and expect rental income of 1500-2000€/m (around $1,600-$2,100 per month), I am now facing a loss of nearly €10,000 (around $11,000) from lost rental income alone. Due to the inability to apply for a loan and rising interest costs, the total financial impact of the delay likely amounts to a six-figure sum for us.
Is there anything that can be done here? As mentioned, I cannot hire a new architect now, as that would mean starting the whole process over again. Unfortunately, I should have pulled the plug on this three months ago....
Thank you in advance for your responses.
Best regards,
nico333
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xMisterDx27 Sep 2022 18:19nico333 schrieb:
Please avoid provocations or unnecessary replies and instead provide constructive input. I am already stressed enough. Thank you Find another architect—that’s the only constructive advice you can get.
If there ever was trust, it is now broken. And if the architect can’t even find the time to produce your plans, you can easily guess how little effort they will put into coordinating, supervising the construction, and chasing contractors who delay or fail to meet deadlines. Don’t throw good money after bad.
Basically, you will need a thick skin if you decide to build under the current conditions. Delays of several months up to a year are not uncommon. I have been waiting for 4 months for the installer to confirm that my heating system has arrived, and he already told me he can’t guarantee it will happen this year...
PS:
If you plan to sue to enforce contract services thinking it will save you money and time... good luck with that.
H
HilfeHilfe28 Sep 2022 07:03Hiring a different architect. Why are you building with an architect and not a reliable construction company?
If you were a savvy investor, you would already know what to do.
If you were a savvy investor, you would already know what to do.
nico333 schrieb:
I hired an architect for the renovation of a single-family house.
The task was to prepare the permit application and handle all dealings with the authorities. So what is it actually, is the architect supposed to be involved in the renovation, or just obtain the building permit / planning permission?
If the latter, who is managing the renovation after the permit is granted?
nico333 schrieb:
Is there anything that can be done here? Ah, now the question is: What exactly do you want?
You can:
- Push with deadlines (with or without a lawyer)
- Terminate immediately (with or without a lawyer)
- Search for a second architect in parallel and only terminate when the new one is reliable
- Claim compensation for damages
Don’t get too upset about the money, you are still at the beginning of the build. You have a lot ahead of you. Better to have a steep learning curve at the start than at the end 😉
DaGoodness schrieb:
The first question would be what was contractually agreed upon and what have you done so far to speed up the whole process? Are there any deadlines contractually agreed? Have you set any deadlines on your part? Or have you just accepted the appointment cancellations over the 7 months with frustration and not taken any further action? Otherwise, have a lawyer review it and advise you on your options to enforce the contract. As long as no one knows the exact wording of the contract, everything is just speculation.Unfortunately, no contractual agreements were made beforehand, and I only relied on a handshake. Thank you for the advice. This will be a lesson for me in future projects, and I appreciate the tip.MayrCh schrieb:
It seems to me that at some point between the 21 appointments, he simply ran out of working hours.
Seriously though: What is it about a building permit / planning permission that requires so many meetings? Especially since this is a renovation, not a new build. The existing structure already dictates a lot. There were only that many appointments because there were constant postponements. Overall, there were 3 meetings scheduled that resulted in 21 appointments.
xMisterDx schrieb:
Find another architect; that’s the only constructive advice you can be given.
The trust relationship, if it ever existed, is broken. And if the architect doesn’t even have time to prepare plans for you, then you can already guess how thoroughly they will coordinate the construction, supervise it, and chase after contractors who themselves delay and miss deadlines. You don’t throw good money after bad.
However, you will need a thick skin if you build under the current circumstances. Delays of several months up to a year are not uncommon. I have been waiting for 4 months for news from the installer that my heating system has arrived. And he says he can’t promise delivery this year anymore...
PS:
If you want to sue for contractual services and think that will save you money and time... good luck. Thank you for the advice. If I continue with further support, I will definitely set contractual frameworks. Are there ways to ensure an architect really takes care of a project? What steps can be taken to make sure of this?
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