Or if I’m contracting you to do something, you should read my emails?

[WhoAreYah]

We are getting an extension done and I have spent time with a builder, drawn up to-scale plans and submitted them to the architect we have been recommended by the builder.

He hasn’t read any of my email, didn’t look at my drawings. I chased him after a week of not even getting an acknowledgement and he came to visit to talk through my plans where it was clear he hadn’t looked at what I’d sent.

Gave him the benefit of the doubt (our last architect mucked up spectacularly and he was the 4th I’d found and highly recommended!) and he came back to do the survey.

First thing he says? ‘Remind me what we are doing?’

I mean seriously. Surely you have notes?

How hard is it to find someone who pays attention when you do a lot of the work for them? This job couldn’t be easier!

I would guess they don't want the job. There's lots of work at the moment, you need to make your project attractive. IE expensive and worth their while.

But architects have standard fees so not really sure how that would work?!

Talk to the builder and let them know you want an architect who can pay enough attention. If the builder wants any more work from you.

Supply v demand is an issue I am sure, same as finding good tradespeople in general, given that there are still large scale commercial and construction projects going on.

You’re not wrong about tradespeople. I don’t know how half of them are employed, given the regular ignorance of requests for them to come and do some work.

I feel your pain. We have loads of work that needs doing around the house and we have the money to do it, but we cannot get decent tradespeople for love or money.
I’m seriously considering selling house as somewhere to ‘do up’ and buy a new build where hopefully nothing will need doing for a few years.

Trades round us are rammed currently. I have had numerous not respond to emails, or respond in such a rubbish way over quoting, not listening to what we have asked. Sadly they can pick and choose over work.

We have just been told to fit a desk we are looking at end of April beginning of May - started the process mid feb!