Super slow architect

[tiredmum156]

I'm having a really small extension done. First met the architect in May to start plans, made it clear the time constraint we were under to get the job done (was pregnant at the time, miscarried). But I've always made it clear we need these done asap and they never objected to this.

Paid them in full 10 weeks ago (3.5k!!!). Got on their case 4 weeks ago to see how things were going, they hadn't started. I said my builder is ready to start first week of September. They said we will try to get the plans done last week of august, but that they had a huge workload on.

Now the last week of august, and haven't heard anything.

How long do people normally wait for plans for a really simple job? I'm just mainly annoyed at the terrible communication, they should have told me the timeline to expect etc. If I had never got on their case I feel it wouldn't get drawn up until next year!

Also wanted to add it's not even a planning permission job, just permitted development.

That's terrible. I'd ask for my money back, formally by a signed for letter sent to their address.

Are you sure they are still in business? Maybe it's a scam business?

I'd get a friend to call and ask how long it would take to get plans drawn up.

Then put this in the letter possibly get it sent to them via a lawyer?

They shouldn't have taken on your work.

@Mosaic123 they definitely are still in business. That's a good idea I'll get a friend to call. It's causing me so much stress as the builder is ready to start and if I don't make the slot with him it won't be until next year :( which I've told them! They had such good reviews.

I feel your pain, we had a similar nightmare with our architect (although we didn’t engage the builder till we had our building warrant) and our job is smaller than yours. We engaged our architect this time last year and our job finally starts next month

When I chased them up four weeks ago, the responses I got were 'hopefully it will be done the end of august, it's only a small project so we can squeeze it in' 'we will try to get it done' that's just not good enough, they don't seem to be able to manage their work effectively! Yes it is only small so you should have factored it in before I chased up 😡

I’d be asking for full commitment to have it by the 31st or a full refund.

I didn’t pay mine till I had the drawings

I wouldn't be using an architect for that type of job, an architectural technologist would likely be cheaper.

I would also be asking for my money back, the trust is gone IMHO.