Hello everyone,
My girlfriend and I are currently at the stage of looking for a builder or architect to work with us on our project. We have already had meetings with some architects, and we were told that everything would be free of charge at first. However, one architect has already spent time drawing up designs—can they charge us for these despite the verbal agreement?
Another question: If we decide to go with a different architect, are we allowed to use ideas from the designs of the other architect, or would that be considered idea theft? We are not talking about taking the exact designs but more general aspects, like the layout of the facade or the roof, which you could theoretically come up with on your own...
Thanks for your help...
My girlfriend and I are currently at the stage of looking for a builder or architect to work with us on our project. We have already had meetings with some architects, and we were told that everything would be free of charge at first. However, one architect has already spent time drawing up designs—can they charge us for these despite the verbal agreement?
Another question: If we decide to go with a different architect, are we allowed to use ideas from the designs of the other architect, or would that be considered idea theft? We are not talking about taking the exact designs but more general aspects, like the layout of the facade or the roof, which you could theoretically come up with on your own...
Thanks for your help...
They wanted to know how we wanted the house to look. Based on that, a design was created. Costs were never mentioned, so I assume they cannot charge anything. We never intended to take advantage of anyone, and I never said that I didn’t want to pay—only that nothing was ever requested!!! I don’t understand where you get the right to accuse me of trying to obtain services dishonestly. The plan was not made to our satisfaction, even after reworking it three times! Although we eventually received the plans, we couldn’t use them because they didn’t match what we wanted. With the well-known architect we then approached, there was a plan that fit immediately.
I have not personally attacked anyone, and I am sometimes really surprised by what some people allow themselves and the tone in which comments are made.
I have not personally attacked anyone, and I am sometimes really surprised by what some people allow themselves and the tone in which comments are made.
B
Bauexperte25 Feb 2013 14:26Hello,
"...We took the plans with us but they could not charge us anything because nothing was agreed upon in writing."
This implies to every reader here that you are not willing to pay for the work if you receive an invoice, since you assume no contract was formed. Because E.Curb is a practicing architect in real life, he naturally takes such statements personally. I assume he is not having this discussion for the first time.
"If he says it was agreed upon and you say no, what can he do??? Statement versus statement and so on. As far as we know, if you didn’t sign anything, he can’t demand money from you. Unless he recorded it and has it explicitly on tape."
Probably because of your previous statement; I could also call it experience. You might be surprised at how easy it can be to prove a copyright infringement against you in the worst case!
Almost all user questions are answered here professionally and objectively, whether from architects, energy consultants, craftsmen, salespeople, or often experienced builders. It’s of no help if these “helpers” sugarcoat things for you; that only solidifies your layman’s understanding without moving you forward.
So if you post supposed “truths,” you have to be prepared to face professional feedback 😉
Best regards
Schdin schrieb:Actually, he can! The moment you ask him to create drafts for you—and he does not state that these will be free of charge—you have entered into an oral contract. There are many court rulings online related to this.
They wanted to know from us how the house should look. Then a draft was created. There was never any mention of costs, so I assume he cannot charge anything.
Schdin schrieb:But in your response from 02/19/13, you wrote:
We never intended to take anything unfairly, and I have not said anywhere that I do not want to pay.
"...We took the plans with us but they could not charge us anything because nothing was agreed upon in writing."
This implies to every reader here that you are not willing to pay for the work if you receive an invoice, since you assume no contract was formed. Because E.Curb is a practicing architect in real life, he naturally takes such statements personally. I assume he is not having this discussion for the first time.
Schdin schrieb:From the same date:
— only that it was never requested!!! I don’t know where you get the right to portray me here as if I were trying to obtain services unfairly.
"If he says it was agreed upon and you say no, what can he do??? Statement versus statement and so on. As far as we know, if you didn’t sign anything, he can’t demand money from you. Unless he recorded it and has it explicitly on tape."
Probably because of your previous statement; I could also call it experience. You might be surprised at how easy it can be to prove a copyright infringement against you in the worst case!
Schdin schrieb:First of all, this is neither a social club nor a wish-fulfillment forum. E.Curb definitely did not cross any lines in tone or personally attack you, but responded from his—understandable to me—perspective of your arguments.
I haven’t attacked anyone personally and am sometimes really surprised at what some people here say and the tone of some comments.
Almost all user questions are answered here professionally and objectively, whether from architects, energy consultants, craftsmen, salespeople, or often experienced builders. It’s of no help if these “helpers” sugarcoat things for you; that only solidifies your layman’s understanding without moving you forward.
So if you post supposed “truths,” you have to be prepared to face professional feedback 😉
Best regards