Architect issues

[trevorbayliss]

I am doing a rear extension of my house and the architect submitted plans under the neighbour consult plan.

Turns out the extension does need planning permission because i am coming out to the side (equal to the back wall of house so not coming forwards, but still out to the side), plus the extension is over 6m (7.5m) from the back wall of the house. The current lean-to extension does not count as part of the house because i am taking it down and going to the back wall.

Plus the extension = 70% of the footprint of the origional house. House is 61sqm, lean-to ex is 12.25 sqm. If you include my garage which is going to be knocked down and replaced with a new garage on the side the total sq. = 100 and my extension is 70sqm.

I have no issue with having to go to planning, but i do have an issue with why the architect thought this could be done under a neighbour consultation.

Is he just trying to lead me down a path of endless design changes and fee payments for planning changes etc ?

His building knowledge is terrible as well and he has no idea on issues such as insulation levels in walls, roof etc, or issues relating to warm roofs. I am pretty clued up so have been doing lots of research and i am working out stuff myself, but even so i was hoping to get some help with this project. Have i expected too much from an architect ?

 

[KenGMac]

trevorbayliss, good evening.

I am not filled with confidence at all?

Have you undertaken any so called background checks? Google is a good place to start, then LinkedIn, also have a look on the RIBA web site to see this guy is indeed registered?

Try his web site and see what it says, and are there any recommendations?

Finally have an off the record word with Planning to see if this guy has , shall I call it "Previous"?

Ken.

 

[trevorbayliss]

I certainly will be speaking to the planning woman when she comes out next week. I also intend on taking control and doing all stuff myself. The bigger issue is that i know the architect on a personal level. Not close, but we speak every so often and this is why i asked him to do the plans. Feel totally let down, but i don't think he is a con man.

I have checked the RIBA site and there is no mention of him in our city. He works from home, so doesn't have an office. Would he be on the RIBA list if he is a small one man band ?

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

He sounds like many architects who know little about how buildings go together and less about PD, when you say architect is he a proper (ie ARB registered) architect or a designer or a technician or what? Thats a proper rooky error, I'd sack him and ask for a refund for any unnecessary work he's done and but how medieval on his ass do you want to get? Seeing as he's an acquaintance an all? The planner won't give a toss. Why should they?

 

[trevorbayliss]

I have checked online now and he is on the architects register.

Don't know if he is ARB registered.

Don't really want to get annoyed with him though as still going to see him. I have refused to pay for the extra work associated with submitting a planning application. I have also said i will be the one doing all the liaising with planning and not him. He knows i am doing this extension mostly by myself and so doing the planning as well is an ok step now i have made it. I really have learnt a lot in the last 3 months planning etc.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

As mentioned how far do you want to go? Has he done this through his or a firm of architects or as a 'private job' in his own time?

 

[trevorbayliss]

No he is an independent guy working from home. He is not part of a practise. I will just see if i can manage with the planners myself. Next week will reveal all. I think they have an issue with the size of the extension, but we do have a big garden and a garage and conservatory and lean-to are all coming down to make room for the new bit.

 

[^woody^]

That's the thing with Architects, unfortunately.

People think that Architect automatically means some highly skilled, highly knowledgeable person who knows everything about buildings and construction and will produce a top notch design, great plans and no problems with the building, with planning or with building regulations. They think they are paying for a premium design service.

In fact, all they get is a few trees and some shading drawn on the plans.

In reality, Architects know little about construction, know little about the building process, know little about associated regulations and requirements. In the larger practices the Architect does little of the technical design but passes all that to a technician to sort out. They are in this little aloof world of their own, and no-one else is allowed in.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

In reality, Architects know little about construction, know little about the building process, know little about associated regulations and requirements. In the larger practices the Architect does little of the technical design but passes all that to a technician to sort out. They are in this little aloof world of their own, and no-one else is allowed in.

Some woody not all, I am not defending myself (I'm awesome as you're well aware) but I work for a medium sized practice and we have a variety of architects, some rubbish some great and with an equal variation in technical know-how.

 

[^woody^]

Agreed, I'm generalising.

But I feel that there is a common perception regarding what an Architect should be, should know and should be capable of. And time and time again they just don't live up to it.

People such as the OP buy into this, and it ends in tears. Its very frustrating, as it puts the industry into such a negative light when those who are supposedly right at the top of the tree fail to do what is expected of them, or just can't do their job.

 

[cjard]

Getting to a more pertinent issue, you should consider posting your plans/sketches up here for comment on their viability with regards to PD.. planning departments often incorrectly advise that permission is required. Your original post contains a couple of statements that leads me to believe you might be incorrect on some details too, so thrashing them out with consensus from a few perspectives may be more helpful than getting sidetracked with some unhelpful "professional service" issues

 

[motorbiking]

I think architectural services can vary hugely. The architect who did my extension (or rather the chimps with crayons that he actually got to do the work) made lots of mistakes which resulted in me having to reapply for planning at the end of the job. Not helped by a neighbour who misunderstood their right to consultation as a right of veto. However, to be fair they didn't charge me for the design mods and the planners didn't charge me for the resubmission.

My point however, is that you can get an architect to turn your well thought out plan it to acceptable drawings for planning and building control at a low cost or you can get one who will deliver real design innovation and possible even solve building services and structural challenges. It all depends on how much you want to spend. The going rate seems to be 5-10% of the total cost.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

My point however, is that you can get an architect to turn your well thought out plan it to acceptable drawings for planning and building control at a low cost or you can get one who will deliver real design innovation and possible even solve building services and structural challenges. It all depends on how much you want to spend. The going rate seems to be 5-10% of the total cost.

I'd say cost is almost irrelevant, you can pay little and get a great job or you can pay 20% of the build cost and they can be rubbish. It just depends who you employ.

 

[wessex101]

It sounds to me like the "architect" is not familiar with small residential extension projects. It could be he specialises in a different sector, maybe larger commercial work where you do not need to understand the minute details of householder planning applications and traditional domestic construction techniques. I often wonder why "proper architects" bother with small residential extension work, the scope for real design input is usually rather limited and the fees are generally quite modest.

Or maybe he is just a wally.

Either way it is a poor show.

 

[trevorbayliss]

No he does small residential stuff. I think it is his bread and butter.

Cjard, could you elaborate on on areas i may be incorrect. Haven't got time to load plans as just in from work, but might do it tomorrow night. Not online in the day tomorrow. Any help is a bonus in terms of the planning game. I am a bit worried my extension is going to be too big and get refused. Flat roof starting at 3.45m and dropping to 3m (could go lower say to 2.6m finish height).