Hi all,
Has anyone asked their architect for the CAD drawings?
We're going down the modular route so we need the CAD drawings for the modular building company to adapt for the building regs. The modular building firm have their own architect who can draw up everything from scratch but said if we whizz them the CAD drawings already done they'll work off those to save money (approx ÂŁ2k saving).
We actually used an architectural technician (thought he was an actual architect but that's a whole other story.......).
I emailed him and asked for the CAD drawings and he's refused point blank.
Anyone know if this is reasonable or not? He's been an absolute bell end from start to finish so I have no clue if it's reasonable to ask him to share the CAD drawings or not?
Also as an aside, I don't think there's anyone I can complain to about an architectural technician, is there? As in a regulatory body etc. The Architects Registration Board only cover actual architects, and not people who insinuate they are one....... (can you tell I am thoroughly pissed off?!!)
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CAD drawings from architect - HELP!
SpidersAreShitheads · 22/09/2022 08:36
Kowloondairy · 23/09/2022 10:27
To be honest I can’t understand why the modular company would need the cad plans at all as the construction methods and therefore the building regs are completely different, things such as insulation etc may well need different specifications. When building regs do the inspection they will focus on what’s been submitted to them, so if the build is different they may automatically reject as it is not built according to their plans. If I were in your position I would let the modular company redo all the plans and resubmit these to the council and then you know that there will be no question about them being signed off, as the job will have been done as per approved plans.
Daftasabroom · 23/09/2022 09:28
Did you sign a contract with him?
MariaDingbat · 23/09/2022 08:43
I would say that if he presented himself as an architect (specifically used the word architect in his advertising or in correspondence with you) but is a technician then you can refer him to ARB for misuse of title.
Regarding the plans, there should be no reason why he can't send the CAD drawings to other members of the design team to work from. That would be common practice. However, if you're changing the contract and removing him from future work or replacing him then it won't be that simple as he would no longer be part of the design team. In that instance, the modular company should be able to scan his drawings and use them as a template easily enough. Make sure he supplies you with a minimum 1:50 plan with clear dimensions marked on them, that will make it easier for the modular company to work from the drawings.
And regarding the planning query, that's an absolute lie. Planning have strict data management and they can't just bump you to the bottom of the pile for asking for an update if your contact them directly. Lots of people deal directly with planning rather than going through an agent. A usual turnaround for a basic query is 3 months, but longer if there are additional consultees to get responses from, like roads or water, that can add months. Call them up with your planning reference and say you're just wondering what their anticipated response date is and if there are any issues popping up.
SeaToSki · 22/09/2022 22:51
Did he know you were going to use a modular company for building when you started the work with him? Not that it should matter
It is absolutely reasonable for him to have to supply CAD drawings to any other professional involved in the project be it a builder, interior designer, structural engineer and a modular manufacturer. We have done several builds and never had a problem with this sort of thing, it really reduces the chances of errors happening further on down the line from someone mis reading a plan or typing in something wrong.
You contracted him to draw stuff for you, not create his own personal creative design that then he would sell to you and in this day and age, the CAD is the drawings, not the print out. His name stays on the plans as the originating designer and then anyone else who adds or changes them adds their work in a separate iteration and the originals are kept to refer back to
BudgetBlast · 22/09/2022 22:04
You have the facts he won’t give you the CAD drawings you are only getting hard copies. No opinions on here are going to change that. What did you agree with him? Unless he is in breech of contract then there is nothing more to say. Get the modular company to dictate drawings.
Luckydog7 · 22/09/2022 21:59
It is possible that the architect's professional indemnity will be void if he gives the designs in a format that can be edited.
Can the modular company not edit the raster drawing (photo editing essentially) they have or use them as a reference?
BudgetBlast · 22/09/2022 22:12
As an aside though I don’t think it is going to get you anywhere CIAT and RIBA both act as registering bodies for Arch Tech but it isn’t clear that you would have anything to complain about.
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