Architect - does this sound right?

[littlebearsmummy]

We had an architect draw up plans in the autumn for an extension, build over a flat roof garage and some internal changes. Plans are with the council and we expect a decision in the next 2 weeks. Hopefully (fingers x!) we aren't expecting any problems as we are repeating what other properties on the street have done, though of tourer you never know.

The concern is our architect won't provide plans with any measurements, and has in fact pretty much gone AWOL on us. He says builders should not need plans with any measurements on, when we try to get quotes. So we have plans (without any scale or measurements) to try and get quotes from. We now can't get hold of him which is driving me mad.

Does this sound correct? We had asked for these drawings before we hired him, but have nothing in writing. It seems he thinks he's provided everything he means to and we are a little confused!

Thanks

Ours have measurements on, I just checked. I thought the structural engineers needed measurements to calculate the steels.

Our plans are always to scale and include measurements. Was it an outline planning application rather than a full planning application? In that case then it wouldn't necessarily need measurements.

Builders will need measurements to quote.

You can contact the Architects Registration Board if you have concerns.

BUilders will definitely need measurements. Our architect was utterly shit and told us lots of lies, so don't just trust them because they are under RIBA.

Had to ask to get them put on ours, but they did it with no questions. Word of caution, if your building ontop of a existing structure is worth early days once you have planning to check the existing foundations and get building control to have a look to make sure they are happy, you may need to underpin which can cost a bit

My DP is an architect.... He says:

Do you know if he is a qualified Architect and registered with the ARB (Architects Registration Board) you can check on their website if you aren't sure.
When you appointed the architect did he provide you with a letter of appointment which set out the services that he would provide, methods of payment and methods of resolution in the event of issues? This is something that he should have provided.
If he is an Architect then the ARB can assist you if you explain the issues. If he isn't and he is calling himself an architect that is illegal and the ARB would want to know that as well.

A builder would need to know dimensions or at least have a scaled drawing to provide accurate costs and carry out the work professionally!!

Sorry to jump on this with a question for Daisy's DH if that's ok.

We are using what I thought was an architect but he doesn't seem to be arb registered. To be fair he doesn't actually say he is an architect either on his website, uses the phrase planning services.

Is this worrying? Can completely legitimate person be doing designs for extensions (loft conversion in our case) without being an architect?

You can be an architect technician.

You don't have to be a qualified architect to design buildings, lots of loft extensions are just done by builders now. But you definitely shouldn't be misleading people and calling yourself an architect if you're not.

Our builder was surprised to see a building control officer doing the plans for my next door neighbour's proposed extension. Seems he had a sideline as an "architectural consultant". He designed a very ugly box which our builder said he wouldn't build. Thankfully our NDN saw the light and used our architect and our builder is starting next month.

Don't forget that you get what you pay for (to some extent anyway). Anyone can call themselves an architectural consultant...

Thank you for the advice!

The difference between an architect and anyone else offering architectural services is that the former must legally be ARB registered.
This means they have a minimum of 7years training usually in the form of 3 degrees, they are insured appropriately and they are supposed to uphold certain professional ethics.
If they do something awful you can complain to the ARB as their registration body. Another layer of regulation is if they are also A chartered architect which means they also belong to the RIBA.
With the latter anybody can do it so its pot luck and there is little comeback when things go wrong.
This doesn't mean there aren't bad architects out there, like all professions some people are better than others but it does mean they have more experience and training than one day picking up a pen and deciding 'I can do that' which is what some architectural consultants do.
Whoever you use you should check references and ask to see previous work.
If a drawing is not to scale and doesn't have measurements then planning will reject it as it is meaningless.

So sorry for not replying Haahooo!

Basically others have said it all- architects will have completed 3 degrees, be registered with the ARB (so you can make a complaint against them), and usually with the RIBA.

You don't need to be an architect to design buildings- a lot of DP's friends are Architectural Technicians. We have a friend who has a (hugely successful) design business, and he is a Technician, not an architect. Not being an architect does not mean that they aren't good designers, or qualified to design you something safe. Please check that they are insured though, and ask to see examples of previous work, speak to previous clients, etc. Hope this helps :-)

Definitely get measurements. Our builder attempted to scale off some poxy a4 drswings with no measurements so got his calculations and therefore quote wrong by 50% by which time work had already started...

Not sure why architects are so reluctant to provide measurements - we also found this but once we got planning we managed to get this off them as someone different did the buildings regs. All so complicated - never doing an extension again!

Not that there would be any neec to, and it will of course be brill when completed in anout 100 years' time...

Ah thanks Daisy - really helpful. I checked his email signature and it does say architectural technician.

The main thing I worry about is making sure it's all safe, but my understanding from the above and reading elsewhere is that the planning process provides some assurance in that respect. Thanks again!