I think my architect has cocked up

[Howdidthathappen1]

Hi - I'll try and keep this consise but would really appreciate any advice

Had architect draw up plans for amongst other things a large dormer on the side of our existing loft conversion to our bungalow. On the CAD he's put a disclaimer saying something about not able to measure so has made assumptions.
Turns out his measurements are so far out I'm losing a third of proposed useable space upstairs and feel massively cheated. It's because of the slope angle of the roof - in my head there shouldn't be an excuse to estimate that as it's easily seen.
The work is well underway - the new structure built so the size that the existing roof allows.
I've got an emergency visit from him tomorrow and not sure how to tackle it. From what my builder has explained and I've seen it just can't be rejigged within planning control.

Do I have any come back? I'm spending nearly 100k to gain literally a cupboard and still have a cramped bathroom with what we're left with.

@Howdidthathappen1 So this dormer and all the work is permitted development? Or would you need to amend planning permission?

I am not qualified to say, but how can anyone draw up working plans without measuring? That’s ludicrous. Is he a Chartered Architect? Clearly he could have measured up the roof structure and should have understood limitations on the design. Did you get no plans to scale? Or do you just have a sketch drawing? What did you pay for? Obviously the plans should have been accurately scaled or how did the builder know how to price? Or indeed you know what you are getting?

If you are spending £100k, I’d be inclined to get a structural engineer to visit and get them to advise on how the roof can be altered to ensure you get the dormer you want. Yes it will cost more but you will possibly get what you want. However the roof must be safe.

I’m the meantime it seems your architect has issued a disclaimer for lazy work. I would complain to RIBA as measuring is basic info which informs design. Having said that, DH is a structural engineer and in his career has seen many “cartoons” from architects! So check if he’s Chartered, check that you paid for detailed working drawings, and contact RIBA if this is a major failure. The big question for the architect, assuming you have detailed working drawings, is why were they not accurate? Why were possible issues not flagged up earlier as a result of an initial survey and why wasn’t a structural engineer brought in to advise if it’s a tricky dormer addition? I’d try and get the architect to pay for the structural engineer at the very least.

We had to get planning permission as we're in conservation area - council refused hip to gable but agreed this dormer.
The structural engineer has been really helpful with suggestions of how to amend things internally to at least fit a shower in the bathroom. He worked off the CAD drawings the architect did and didn't actually visit.
I've no idea if this architect is chartered - will check this -afraid I'm a novice and blatantly have messed up hiring and trusting that it was ok. Thankfully my builder is great and trying to help

If the architect is not chartered they are not an architect at all! So no one has actually measured accurately? I would ask why the building drawings were not accurate. Planning permission drawings are not what a builder will need. So did you pay for working detailed drawings for the builder? Did anyone explain how the roof would limit your dormer window?

Have a look at the Architects’ Registration Board website - there’s a lot of detail on there and you will be able to see if you have grounds for a complaint.

Did you use an actual Architect or an architectural designer? An Architect has to follow the ARB's Code of Conduct and professional standards. Part of this is that a registered architect must carry PI, so you will have a route to compensation

There is a formal complaint process to follow.

So there's no architect with his name on the register.
Whilst measurements in terms of length and heights are detailed the reason they don't work is the angle of the slope of the roof resulting in the width available for the dormer being half what is on the drawings. We obviously can't change the angle of the roof so just won't get the space we thought.
I recognise this cock up does come down to my naivety (re stupidity) - I picked this 'architect' as he is local and seemed to be the most on board. There's been little niggles and plans needed minor changes because he hadn't listened to what I wanted - then charged 65ph to make the changes. But of all the issues I expected it wasn't this!

Weirdly enough we've had three architects out this week about getting a dormer... They've all given us quite different ideas, but they've been quite hot on saying that the roof angle can't change and that we won't get masses of space.

The last one yesterday advised us not to bother with a dormer at all, as in his view, it wouldn't be worth it given how much space we'd gain. These are all free visits, before we contract someone... I'm stunned you've paid someone and they've not taken the roof into account 😮

If the architect is not on the register on thr ARB website, they aren’t an architect. You don’t need to be registered with RIBA to be an architect. It’s a criminal offence to claim to be an architect if you’re not an architect.

Hope you get it sorted, OP.

He might be in BIG trouble, see below, might be time to get a solicitor:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architects_Act_1997

https://arb.org.uk/public-information/before-hiring-an-architect/regulate-use-title-architect/case-studies-misuse-of-architect/whats-in-a-name/

From the ARB article:

Architects RegisterUnder the Architects Act 1997 only those who meet the required standards are eligible to join the Architects Register, which enables them to use the title architect. When someone uses the title ‘architect’, anyone can check the Register to make sure they are dealing with a genuine professional. If someone is not on the Register, they are not an architect – it’s as simple as that.
The Act gives us, the Architects Registration Board (ARB), the power to prosecute those who use the title when they have no right in order to protect the public from dishonest individuals who deliberately mislead people by calling themselves something they’re not.

Criminal conviction and fines
The recent prosecution of an individual and their design practice is one such example. The court hearing resulted in fines totaling tens of thousands of pounds for both the business and its owner. The magistrates imposed the maximum fine for each charge as well as further costs and surcharges. Giving the reasoning behind imposing the maximum fines available, the magistrate noted that “the offence has included identity theft and also poses safety concerns to the public”. They also noted the defendant’s reluctance to engage with ARB and their absence from court.
We received a complaint about the company in 2018, following an email campaign it sent out to generate new business. The complainant questioned whether the company employed any registered architects and therefore had the right to use the ARB logo as they had done in their communication. We investigated and both the company website and an individual’s LinkedIn page were found to be in breach of the law.

The ARB take this sort of thing very seriously.

Thanks all. It'll be interesting to see what he has to say when he visits tomorrow.
We're committed to the build now as we literally have no roof and all contingency has been used to rectify the carnage that was found under the tiles.
#sigh

So there's no architect with his name on the register.

Is he calling himself an architect? (Rather than, say, an architectural technician, or something like that?). If so, that’s a big deal (as a pp said, a criminal offence) and definitely something to report to the ARB….

I'd be really interested in what he's calling himself too.

We've had architects, architecture consultants, building consultants and architectural technicians so far.

I don't even know - that's how much I've messed up!! His company offer architectural services and drawings.
I never asked.

I hope this thread helps someone else to be aware to check before starting a job!!

Does he work by himself or is he part of a company? If part of a company it’s not unusual architectural assistants/designers do the work and then it’s checked by an architect. There should be insurance on their side to cover this sort of thing

I felt sick to my stomach reading this. I am so sorry OP.

I have no experience of anything like this, but what I absolutely would do given the vast amount of money involved is cancel him for tomorrow, call off sick, migraine, ill child, whatever. Then, first thing on Monday morning talk to the the relevant governing body and/or a lawyer.

Only after taking their advice would I let him back into my house once wiser with what he HAS to do as opposed to what he thinks he can get away with doing - probably in the cheapest way possible.

He works by himself - but trades under a ltd company name.
I'm currently digging through paperwork to find a letter head to see if it says he's an architect

But don't the floor plans show a dotted line with limited headroom despite the floor space?
Our loft in "plan" form is enormous because the eaves go right back ...the wall is only about 700 cm high in some parts, you can't put a bed against wall or stand up, but it is still bookcase high, "space"...makes room feel bigger.

You're not in south wales are you OP?

Does he have a website?

Has he filed accounts with Companies House?

Both of these might give clues as to his qualifications.

@Gazelda The “company” might not be a company. We live in a country which uses words like architect and engineer without understanding that they should have the word “chartered” in front of them to mean they are qualified at the highest level. There are other levels of qualification but even they would know if a dormer window could be built satisfactorily or not.

I just finished a very stressful refurbishment -- My advice : Listen to your gut & take bold decision! If you feel the architect is not right for your project - take bold decision and fire!
Look for another better !
yes its not easy to find someone good in short time but believe me -its better than working with someone who is producing substandard work!

All the best for your project!

I still don't understand how height (elevation) and length width of existing floor space (plan view) wouldn't have been measured approx, giving the "necessary" angle?. If the existing measurements are approx right ones, the angle surely can't change so radically? It makes no sense.

Tbh I'm not massively sure I understand either but essentially the dormer was supposed to be 4m wide with walls going up 1.6m before then coming in with eaves to a flat roof at the top. Because of the pitch of the existing roof the walls can only be 1.2m high before sloping in.
Whilst this doesn't sound a lot it means that the 2.4m we had at the top has turned to 1.2m and as the new room was going to extend both the bedroom and bathroom actually all it does is create a cupboard.

The structural engineer has come up with ideas to move a wall so we can actually get a shower in the bathroom (weren't going to have a bath so this is vital!) but for what we're spending it's devastating.

That's probably a really confusing explanation

The plans were drawn up and paid for over a year ago! We've been waiting this long for the builder we wanted.
So there's no sacking him - he's already paid!!