ᐅ The architect has become emotional and does not want to continue. How should I proceed now?
Created on: 11 Mar 2026 17:41
O
Ohropax
Hello,
I hired an architect in the Stuttgart metropolitan area to design a single-family house and submit the building permit / planning permission application (service phases 1-4). The architect immediately received an advance payment of 15,000 euros without doing anything.
Service phases 1-2 were basically skipped; at least, I did not receive a project schedule, summaries, cost estimates, or a timetable. She basically spent all her time working only on the design.
The first design was unusable! Our budget is 750,000 euros, which was communicated both verbally and in writing. According to three construction companies, realizing the design would have required 1.25 million euros.
So a new design was created, but it contained so many practical mistakes (corridor too narrow, wardrobe not deep enough, kitchen wall too narrow for a sliding door, ceiling heights too low, bathrooms too small), and many more. An unbelievable number of errors, which you wouldn’t normally expect from an architect (at least I didn’t). The design is now in its 10th iteration because we repeatedly had to point out illogical corners, incorrectly placed windows, etc. Many of the changes were contributed by construction companies and included in the design because it was otherwise not suitable.
It was agreed with the architect that the remaining amount of about 15,000 euros would be paid before submitting the building permit / planning permission application. However, this is too risky for us because the architect’s work is very poor technically, and we fear the application will not be approved as is. The architect charged fee zone IV for a simple single-family house and noted this in the invoice. Is that correct?
Our proposal is to pay the 15,000 euros only after approval. The architect has now completely lost it, refuses to submit the application, and demands 12,000 euros for the design.
I actually did the design myself, and she just used the software. I was not advised. She simply implemented things without pointing out poor practicality. As a layperson, I am not familiar with this and expect advice; that is part of the architect’s job, isn’t it?
What should I do now? I am emotionally exhausted...
I hired an architect in the Stuttgart metropolitan area to design a single-family house and submit the building permit / planning permission application (service phases 1-4). The architect immediately received an advance payment of 15,000 euros without doing anything.
Service phases 1-2 were basically skipped; at least, I did not receive a project schedule, summaries, cost estimates, or a timetable. She basically spent all her time working only on the design.
The first design was unusable! Our budget is 750,000 euros, which was communicated both verbally and in writing. According to three construction companies, realizing the design would have required 1.25 million euros.
So a new design was created, but it contained so many practical mistakes (corridor too narrow, wardrobe not deep enough, kitchen wall too narrow for a sliding door, ceiling heights too low, bathrooms too small), and many more. An unbelievable number of errors, which you wouldn’t normally expect from an architect (at least I didn’t). The design is now in its 10th iteration because we repeatedly had to point out illogical corners, incorrectly placed windows, etc. Many of the changes were contributed by construction companies and included in the design because it was otherwise not suitable.
It was agreed with the architect that the remaining amount of about 15,000 euros would be paid before submitting the building permit / planning permission application. However, this is too risky for us because the architect’s work is very poor technically, and we fear the application will not be approved as is. The architect charged fee zone IV for a simple single-family house and noted this in the invoice. Is that correct?
Our proposal is to pay the 15,000 euros only after approval. The architect has now completely lost it, refuses to submit the application, and demands 12,000 euros for the design.
I actually did the design myself, and she just used the software. I was not advised. She simply implemented things without pointing out poor practicality. As a layperson, I am not familiar with this and expect advice; that is part of the architect’s job, isn’t it?
What should I do now? I am emotionally exhausted...
ypg schrieb:
You’ll have to Google that here. Or it might have been @R.Hotzenplotz I’ll gladly do that. Who was his general contractor?
But I don’t find ventilation systems and heat pumps very unusual...
ypg schrieb:
No, believe me. A serious problem is more than just one issue or a building permit/planning permission that wasn’t submitted. Okay, then it’s coercion.
ypg schrieb:
We weren’t present during the discussions. That’s a fair point.
Ohropax schrieb:
I don’t find that very special... but for example, flush-mounted terrace doors. There may well be a lot more in your case that you haven’t mentioned here. At least, that’s what I assume for now.
ypg schrieb:
Or was it @R.Hotzenplotz Is that a user here? Where can I find their posts?
M
MachsSelbst13 Mar 2026 13:13What is the goal? To submit the building permit / planning permission application? Keep in mind that you are losing actual money every month you delay this process, no matter the reasons. On one hand, there is (probably?) rent, money that could already be going toward loan repayment, and then, of course, inflation, which increases construction costs by 3, 4, 5% or more every year.
MachsSelbst schrieb:
Be aware that you are losing actual money every month you continue this drama for whatever reason. The contractor is required to provide services upfront. Nevertheless, I transferred 15,000 euros before the contractor/architect had even made a single drawing.
I do not want to transfer the entire remaining payment before I have even seen the building permit application. The application is NOT finished, and yet I am supposed to pay 100% of the fee! I want to secure myself by making partial payments.
Why you call this a drama remains your secret. The real drama is that the architect is now "offended" and refuses to submit or even prepare the building permit application, although this is contractually agreed. What is her problem? Naturally, this raises suspicion, doesn’t it?
M
MachsSelbst13 Mar 2026 14:10There won’t be a solution unless you kindly ask the architect, saying “please, please…” This might be the fastest way. Maybe everyone can come to an agreement if no one makes accusations. Possibly with a neutral mediator involved.
The second fastest solution is to have the building permit / planning permission application submitted by the contractor or to hire a new architect. This will cost money.
The third fastest option is to report the architect to the professional chamber and/or take legal action.
Don’t assume the chamber will fully believe you and immediately require the architect to hand over the documents and/or submit the building permit / planning permission application the next day. They will first hear her side of the story, review the contract, and so on.
In my opinion, it’s unlikely you will win. She can present many reasons why she cannot finish the application or shift the responsibility onto you.
On your current path, nothing will come of it. The architect holds the stronger position. She has already been paid; you want something from her, not the other way around. If no money or only a 20% deposit had been paid, the situation would be different. But that’s not the case.
The second fastest solution is to have the building permit / planning permission application submitted by the contractor or to hire a new architect. This will cost money.
The third fastest option is to report the architect to the professional chamber and/or take legal action.
Don’t assume the chamber will fully believe you and immediately require the architect to hand over the documents and/or submit the building permit / planning permission application the next day. They will first hear her side of the story, review the contract, and so on.
In my opinion, it’s unlikely you will win. She can present many reasons why she cannot finish the application or shift the responsibility onto you.
On your current path, nothing will come of it. The architect holds the stronger position. She has already been paid; you want something from her, not the other way around. If no money or only a 20% deposit had been paid, the situation would be different. But that’s not the case.
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