What would you do in this situation, I will be as brief as possible.
I was diagnosed with MS in 2023, and it was obviously very upsetting and a difficult time. I was admitted to hospital for a week and then stayed with my mum because I was too tired to get up the stairs etc. and her house was more suitable.
DH and I had discussed getting a small extension before this started. In my absence DH discussed with an architect who was recommended to him and went ahead with drawing plans and submitting to planning. With hindsight this was a scam, and DH was naive in trusting him. I was very unwell and unable to fully understand what was going on.
The plan was rejected by planning, changed slightly and rejected again.
I then made a recovery and stabilised. I contacted a local architect I know who spent a lot of time studying the local plan and history of our house. He spoke to the planning dept and tweaked the plans. They passed, we have the permission and are starting the work next week.
I can see very clearly that the 1st architect was either very bad at his job or a scammer. The work proposed had no fit with the local plan and was far too big. The revised plan was no better.
The new architect has also shown us that the drawings the original architect did are incorrect by up to 10cm in places.
I have written to him and been fobbed off. The original architect's work cost £4000. I am considering taking him to small claims court and wanted advice on whether there was any value in doing this? I feel very upset we were ripped off at such a vulnerable time and do not want him to carry on doing this to other people.
Thanks for any advice you can give.