ᐅ Long processing times at the design office – time to consider changing?
Created on: 22 Mar 2022 21:23
E
ed_2022
Hello everyone,
In October, following a recommendation, we approached an engineering firm. We received a reasonably good offer for the conceptual design phase and the subsequent service phases up to the detailed design.
After a thorough discussion with the structural engineer assigned to us, during which we also provided sketches of our ideas, we had to wait about two months for the first draft. This draft was only prepared after several follow-ups and was sent to us shortly before the end of the year. Unfortunately, the design did not meet many of the agreed requirements at all (the desired basement was completely missing, rooms were located in entirely different places than requested, and so on).
So far, we are on the fourth version of our conceptual design. Adjusting our requested changes always takes several weeks, and essential points from the discussed modifications are repeatedly missing. The drafts continue to arrive only after multiple phone calls.
We hope that the next draft will finally complete the conceptual design phase. Now we are wondering whether it still makes sense to continue working with this firm or if it would be better to change firms for the building permit/planning permission, detailed design, structural calculations, and related services.
Overall, this situation is very frustrating for us, as our construction start has already been postponed from May to September, and we are now considering delaying it to early 2023. Meanwhile, other issues are increasingly falling behind. For example, I would like to finalize the construction financing soon due to rising interest rates. However, the banks require detailed cost breakdowns by trade and project descriptions, for which we still depend on our engineering firm. Unfortunately, they are only sporadically reachable to discuss these matters. (My last email asking whether the cost breakdown could be prepared has gone unanswered for two weeks, and by phone I only reach colleagues who cannot assist me.)
Do you think it still makes sense to look for a different design firm for the remaining service phases, or would that likely push our construction start even further back?
In October, following a recommendation, we approached an engineering firm. We received a reasonably good offer for the conceptual design phase and the subsequent service phases up to the detailed design.
After a thorough discussion with the structural engineer assigned to us, during which we also provided sketches of our ideas, we had to wait about two months for the first draft. This draft was only prepared after several follow-ups and was sent to us shortly before the end of the year. Unfortunately, the design did not meet many of the agreed requirements at all (the desired basement was completely missing, rooms were located in entirely different places than requested, and so on).
So far, we are on the fourth version of our conceptual design. Adjusting our requested changes always takes several weeks, and essential points from the discussed modifications are repeatedly missing. The drafts continue to arrive only after multiple phone calls.
We hope that the next draft will finally complete the conceptual design phase. Now we are wondering whether it still makes sense to continue working with this firm or if it would be better to change firms for the building permit/planning permission, detailed design, structural calculations, and related services.
Overall, this situation is very frustrating for us, as our construction start has already been postponed from May to September, and we are now considering delaying it to early 2023. Meanwhile, other issues are increasingly falling behind. For example, I would like to finalize the construction financing soon due to rising interest rates. However, the banks require detailed cost breakdowns by trade and project descriptions, for which we still depend on our engineering firm. Unfortunately, they are only sporadically reachable to discuss these matters. (My last email asking whether the cost breakdown could be prepared has gone unanswered for two weeks, and by phone I only reach colleagues who cannot assist me.)
Do you think it still makes sense to look for a different design firm for the remaining service phases, or would that likely push our construction start even further back?
We lack sufficient details to properly assess this. If the design is defective, you should request correction of the defects with a deadline. Otherwise, I see little chance of terminating the contract. Termination is always possible, but it comes with the associated consequences.
H
HilfeHilfe24 Mar 2022 11:21How should things proceed once construction starts? They have probably taken on more than they can handle.