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Architect made a mistake.

15 replies

DrMaryMalone · 16/03/2021 21:20

We are building a small rear extension and have used an architect reccomended by a friend. He came round before Christmas to discuss the build and take measurements. After back and forward with a few small tweaks to internal doors we then got building warrant drawings from the structural engineer used by the architect. It all went to LA planning and was approved with no issues.

Our builder came by yesterday to mark out the foundations in the back garden with a view to starting soon and discovered that the plans only left a 40cm gap down the side of the extension to access the back garden. It turns out that instead of going by his visit measurements anx observations he has used the buildings registry map of our plot boundaries to calculate the distance from our boundary with our neighbours to the new extension wall, but 50cm of that space is actually a very thick block retaining wall which stops our garden which is higher from collapsing into the neighbours garden which is about 4 foot lower down. We can't remove it or put a pathway over the top of it. The best solution is to move the extension over slightly so it now sits right against the boundary with the other neighbour which leaves a bigger gap for garden access.

We contacted him with the problem and he has straight away amended the plans but wants £150 + Vat. If the building warrant structural drawings also need amended we are looking at another £600. Am I being unreasonable in expecting he should be rectifying the mistake at no cost to us? Surely that is something he should have picked up on?

OP posts:
ManxRhyme · 16/03/2021 21:22

His mistake as he came to do a site survey so he really should rectify for free!

Yazzyup · 16/03/2021 21:24

Yes his mistake and he picks up the tab -going forward -his error.

PinkPlantCase · 16/03/2021 21:29

He’s being cheeky, though now when you look back in the drawings is it clear that there’s a pinch point there? Did the architect only produce drawings for planning? Rather than construction drawings?

A lot of planning drawings will have a very clear ‘do now build from this drawing’ and generally don’t have dimensions on.

Did the builder measure off the plans using a ruler? Or were dimensions marked on?

glassbrightly · 16/03/2021 21:31

Is your planning permission valid? Many won't let you build to the boundary, without express permission to do so

DrMaryMalone · 16/03/2021 21:43

The architect only produced the drawings for planning and the structural engineer has done the construction ones. It wasn't obvious that it would be tight on the plans as we had a chat with the neighbour who has lived here longer than us and she believed that the wall was in her property, so we thought the boundary marked on the drawings was excluding the wall but now realise it actually includes it as its on our side as confirmed by the land registry map the architect has used. But he never explained that, we thought he would be using the measurement he took during the visit which was from our side of the retaining wall, not from her side.

All measurement are given on the plans so the builder was using those.

As the amendment will now go up to the boundary wall we Will need to reapply for planning. Or reduce the size if that is more likely to be granted.

OP posts:
PinkPlantCase · 16/03/2021 21:51

So were the dimensions off the structural engineers drawings?

If they dimensions were on the architects drawings then they 100% made the mistake and should be grateful it was spotted before the project was built.

Don’t worry too much about the planning. It will just be an amendment to the existing approval which should go through quite easily.

sweetnessnfight · 16/03/2021 21:54

He should amend the mistake at no cost to you, 100%. I would be writing some bad reviews too if he refused.

sweetnessnfight · 16/03/2021 21:56

You should be able to get one free amendment to your planning, ask the architect.

DrMaryMalone · 17/03/2021 07:26

Yes the structural drawings were created from the planning drawings so they are wrong too!

OP posts:
Daftasabroom · 17/03/2021 11:35

It's very unlikely the structural drawings are incorrect. Talk to your builder and building inspector.

CeibaTree · 17/03/2021 20:18

Your architect sounds incompetent - I'd tell him you were going to report him to his professional body unless he rectifies this (for free). If you have to go back to planning I guess that will mean you will lose your slot with your builder?

GreyhoundG1rl · 17/03/2021 20:24

Don't pay another penny. His mistake to rectify.

SundayBreakfast · 17/03/2021 20:59

Planning drawings aren’t usually used for building from so it’s not entirely his mistake.

Loofah01 · 18/03/2021 09:38

The measuring survey wasn't done correctly so completely the architects fault (assuming he did it) and he's a cheeky bastard to ask for more money!

theonlywayisup33 · 18/03/2021 12:21

Tell him you will complain to RIBA if he doesn't rectify his mistake

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