Hi, wonder if you can help...? this is a legal question, but someone who has worked with architects might now the answer.
I've been working on a big renovation (9 month build) on my house for 18 months with an architect. we've had phase one (planning) and we're coming to the end of phase two (tender). the architect and I have both understood from the start they will be taking on phase three (contract administration). in June the junior architect on my job left the firm - I asked for a more experienced replacement and was told this was possible if I delayed a start by three months (a September start with building in October). I accepted this delay as I wanted the good architect.
nine days before the work on the project was due to restart (finalise phase two and move on to phase three with the new architect) the chief architect has told me his firm is no longer in a position to take on the contract administration.
This has put me in a difficult position. I don't want to manage the job myself and will have to pay for a project manager and someone else to contract manage instead. this could well cost more than employing the architect, which will affect my overall budget. the architect is also offering to give me design advice on an hourly basis which will also rachet up the cost. this additional cost means I will probably have to cut back on the design of the house. I'll also have to look for new builders as the builders I've had in the tender have bene chosen because the architect felt he could work with them - he had actually advised me not to work with them without him as they are not particularly good at following plans! It's also had a knock on effect on my temporary house move which I'd planned for October (so the house would be vacant during the works).
Can the architect break our agreement? Or does our verbal agreement constitute a breach of contract. (the contract being the firms commitment to take on phase three).