Hi all
Looking for some advice.
In November 2013 we instructed an architect to complete drawings for a loft conversion. This cost £3000.00. He came around, did measurements, and produced the drawings (He didn't actually go up in the loft). It took many months for us to receive these drawings. Contact the council and instruct Building Control.
The next door neighbours are Housing Association and they instructed a Surveyor to look over the plans. He was instructed in January 2013 and inspected the next doors house. (We've also paid for their surveyor - as I understand we're the ones undertaking the work - so that's normal procedure.)
Their Surveyor noticed that our party wall from the ground to half way up has two rows of bricks (side by side) , but then it slims down to 1 row up to the top floor ceiling. He basically stated that the Architects drawings would not work, that the slim wall would not hold the weight of the beams and he needed to revise the drawings. This was in February 2013.
It took my Architect 5 months to get the revised drawing back to us (despite numerous calls/emails). He said that our case was very unusual and he had never seen a wall like that. He said his Engineer was trying to find a solution to this. He re-sent the drawings - a design from an Engineer with a metal plate going down the length of the wall. The next door Surveyor asked for structural calculations and a list of lots of other things. He received bits and pieces from our Architect - but no structural calculations.
The Housing Assoc Surveyor finally agreed to the Party Wall Agreement - on condition that he receives a letter of comfort from the Engineer. The Engineer has refused as he states it's not for him to approve his own design.
The Architect has sent the drawings to Building Control - who I have spoken to today. They have stated that there needs to be more detail in the Engineers drawing and that they can not give a letter of comfort until they receive this.
I've been ringing the Architect today and he's not returning my calls. I am extremely frustrated! Want to complain - he is RBS registered - but I don't know if this timescale is normal. November coming will be a year! And we haven't even begun. What can I do?
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Looking for some advice.
In November 2013 we instructed an architect to complete drawings for a loft conversion. This cost £3000.00. He came around, did measurements, and produced the drawings (He didn't actually go up in the loft). It took many months for us to receive these drawings. Contact the council and instruct Building Control.
The next door neighbours are Housing Association and they instructed a Surveyor to look over the plans. He was instructed in January 2013 and inspected the next doors house. (We've also paid for their surveyor - as I understand we're the ones undertaking the work - so that's normal procedure.)
Their Surveyor noticed that our party wall from the ground to half way up has two rows of bricks (side by side) , but then it slims down to 1 row up to the top floor ceiling. He basically stated that the Architects drawings would not work, that the slim wall would not hold the weight of the beams and he needed to revise the drawings. This was in February 2013.
It took my Architect 5 months to get the revised drawing back to us (despite numerous calls/emails). He said that our case was very unusual and he had never seen a wall like that. He said his Engineer was trying to find a solution to this. He re-sent the drawings - a design from an Engineer with a metal plate going down the length of the wall. The next door Surveyor asked for structural calculations and a list of lots of other things. He received bits and pieces from our Architect - but no structural calculations.
The Housing Assoc Surveyor finally agreed to the Party Wall Agreement - on condition that he receives a letter of comfort from the Engineer. The Engineer has refused as he states it's not for him to approve his own design.
The Architect has sent the drawings to Building Control - who I have spoken to today. They have stated that there needs to be more detail in the Engineers drawing and that they can not give a letter of comfort until they receive this.
I've been ringing the Architect today and he's not returning my calls. I am extremely frustrated! Want to complain - he is RBS registered - but I don't know if this timescale is normal. November coming will be a year! And we haven't even begun. What can I do?
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