Hello everyone,
We had our house designed by an architect.
The price included the structural engineering, which is also listed in the cost breakdown.
Unfortunately, working with our architect was a complete disaster (I don’t want to go into details),
which is why we have not yet paid the final installment.
Now we have received an invoice from the structural engineer.
Until now, we had no contact with this person and didn’t even know who was responsible for the structural engineering.
My question is:
Is it normal for the structural engineer’s invoice to be sent directly to us?
We never spoke with this person before, nor did we give them any assignment.
As I understand it, the structural engineer should request payment from the architect, or am I mistaken?
Thank you in advance for your help!
We had our house designed by an architect.
The price included the structural engineering, which is also listed in the cost breakdown.
Unfortunately, working with our architect was a complete disaster (I don’t want to go into details),
which is why we have not yet paid the final installment.
Now we have received an invoice from the structural engineer.
Until now, we had no contact with this person and didn’t even know who was responsible for the structural engineering.
My question is:
Is it normal for the structural engineer’s invoice to be sent directly to us?
We never spoke with this person before, nor did we give them any assignment.
As I understand it, the structural engineer should request payment from the architect, or am I mistaken?
Thank you in advance for your help!
H
HilfeHilfe16 Sep 2019 12:44If it was agreed in the contract (or agreement) that the architect is responsible for this, then the architect must pay the structural engineer.
Were any authorizations given to the architect to issue orders on your behalf?
Were any authorizations given to the architect to issue orders on your behalf?
Unfortunately, there is no contract as such, only the cost breakdown.
HilfeHilfe schrieb:No, he has not received any power of attorney.
Was any power of attorney given to the architect to place orders on your behalf?
Have you spoken with the structural engineer and asked what the architect agreed with him? I mean, if you don’t make payments, he can’t pay him either. Why should the architect stick to your agreement if you don’t? You might not be satisfied, but if he has delivered everything he owes you, then it is also his right to put pressure on you. Equal rights for both parties.
H
hampshire17 Sep 2019 00:32Take a look at the cost breakdown. Are there any other costs excluded from the architectural fees, such as soil reports, surveying, or official charges?
When assigning the project to the architect in the form of planning phases, it is clear that the associated costs will be incurred, and the architect will coordinate and take the lead in commissioning them. This naturally includes the structural engineer. The invoice is sent to you, as these costs are not part of the architect’s fees—unless explicitly agreed otherwise (which is uncommon). You wouldn’t withhold building permit / planning permission fees from the building authority and hold the architect responsible for them.
When assigning the project to the architect in the form of planning phases, it is clear that the associated costs will be incurred, and the architect will coordinate and take the lead in commissioning them. This naturally includes the structural engineer. The invoice is sent to you, as these costs are not part of the architect’s fees—unless explicitly agreed otherwise (which is uncommon). You wouldn’t withhold building permit / planning permission fees from the building authority and hold the architect responsible for them.
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