architect project managing extension

[ebaynovice]

We organised an architect to draw up plans for a two storey extension. We've also paid him for project managing the build.

It's costing us about £5,500 (6% of £90K build). What should we expect for that? He comes round a bit, and talks to the builder, and I think they speak by phone, but I'm at home and he never speaks to me. they seem to change things between themselves. Am I expecting a bit much to be more involved, or is that his job, to take all the queries off me?
thanks for any advice or experience you have

ask him, that is alot of cash. presumably he is handling talking to planners etc.

I would have though that they should run changes by you - even seemingly small ones will have a cumulative effect on the appearance or the quality of the build. I'd say something along the lines of: "I'm a bit worried that xxx has changed from the original plans and I wasn't consulted." If he tries to blind you with technical jargon just ask for him to explain it in layman's terms and repeat that you wish to be consulted.