Architect mistakes

[Loucas]

Hi guys,

Im hoping someone here can help. I am in the middle of a building project converting my current house into flats. I've employed an architect to do the complete design of the flats. However, his measurements have consistently been incorrect, which in turn has led to the structural engineers calculations and design for the steel beams being incorrect.

I am now facing an additional cost of having the beams sizes and layout re designed by the architect, but I don't feel this cost should be down to me considering that the measurements were wrong in the first place and I've already paid a structural engineer a large sum to do the wrong work due the the architects measurements. This has already cost me more than it should have as the first set of beams were too big and had to be cut.

Does anyone have any similar experiences with this and who should be responsible for the additional cost.

Thanks

 

[KenGMac]

Loucas, Hi.

Softly, Softly??

One of your problems may be that the so called Professionals gang up and close up shop against you??

What I would suggest is that you absolutely and meticulously fully document this apparent catalog of what are best regarded as Professional [shall we call them] errors?

I was told by a good Professional Architect that is the case of a [buildings] Claim situation all the claiment requires is three things, proof, proof, proof, simple?

You need to get information from the builder, not some woolly words but, a clear statement that the builder had to alter and adapt the steel work to fit also a statement from the Structural Engineer that he was obliged to adapt his designs because of the dimensional errors found on site.

However there is a proviso, isn't there always? how big were the dimensional deficiencies? if the discrepancies were really small then your Architect has some shall we call it Wriggle room, but if the numerous dimms discrepancies are large, then something is far astray?

As an aside??? does your Home insurance Policy have cover for legal assistance?? if so then you may??? stress the word may??? provide cover for any on-going future litigation, just a thought?? BUT! do not be surprised if your Insurer declines the first attempted Insurance claim [the third party insurer, that covers legal cover, does this a s a matter of course] If you do have legal cover and it is declined by ths insurers third party cover, make a COMPLAINT!!! to the Insurers Chief Operating Officer, do NOT follow the complaints path advised by the Insurer, go direct to the Top!!!

Lets see what the board thinks?

Ken.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

How inaccurate were the drawings, what were the existing drawings based on, a survey? Carried out by the architect with a Disto or a surveyor, who employed the surveyor? Questions questions ....

Can't comment until the relevant history is made available.

 

[^woody^]

Is he a proper ARB or RIBA Architect with terms of engagement?

 

[noseall]

Surely, if your builder can use a scale rule then he must be familiar with how a tape measure works?

 

[^woody^]

"All dimensions to be checked on site before work commences, and any discrepancies to be notified to the Architect before commencing work or ordering materials."

 

[Loucas]

Hi all
Thanks for the replies

The main issue is that the architects drawings didn't take into account the 2 chimney breasts joining to become one on the top floor, meaning the engineers design for the beams has the beams sitting on the breast, which building control won't allow. The engineer is going to have to redesign, hopefully not to my expense....But the builders already have the beams on site. Why? As Woody said above - "All dimensions to be checked on site before work commences, and any discrepancies to be notified to the Architect before commencing work or ordering materials." Now I have the possibility of having to pay for redesign, along with changing/adding extra beams.

So the architect has made a mistake with the drawings of the chimney (including length of beams - 15% over)
The builder made a mistake ordering the beams before raising the issue...
Did the engineer make a mistake when trusting the architects drawings and not doing a site visit himself?

He is a RIBA Architect and he also recommended the structural engineer. I do have legal cover but that's the last option. Hopefully everyone can admit their mistakes. Lets see........

 

[Nakajo]

Any way you slice this, the builder is at fault. A professional cannot rectify an error of which they're unaware.

 

[^woody^]

If the issue is about using the chimney to support a beam, then that is potentially negligent design - if the chimney was to remain in use.

That's an error on either the Architects part of he originally specified the beam to sit there, or on the engineers part if he designed the beam to sit there from scratch.

RIBA have specific guidelines to follow - the plan of work. Check conformity to that in terms of design information and liaison with others.

 

[^woody^]

Any way you slice this, the builder is at fault. A professional cannot rectify an error of which they're unaware.

The professional is negligent if they should have been aware.

 

[noseall]

The builder made a mistake ordering the beams before raising the issue...
....

Here lies your problem.

Your builder must be a brainless f**kwit, to blindly follow a drawing and not check the actual building. The drawing should be considered a guide and experienced builders know this. I take little notice of the drawing in terms of measuring for important things like steels, rather I measure and re-measure the masonry several times over before placing an order until I'm familiar with every brick, block and mortar joint.

If he has actually seen the discrepancy and still proceeded to order the steels, without notifying either the SE or the architect, then I'd sack him because he's thick.

 

[londoner1]

My builder looked at my loft drawings and did not stick to beam size or location of them, took measurements, ordered them and put them in, BCO came out looked and said nothing, onto next stage after that. In fact my drawings have been compromised a lot.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Any way you slice this, the builder is at fault. A professional cannot rectify an error of which they're unaware.