Hi,
9 months ago I replied to a small ad in the local paper for someone advertising 'loft plans' and assumed the person behind it would be an 'architect', I went to visit him and look at some drawings he had previously done, he had many to show and I naturally assumed he had the requisite experience.
I instructed him to design plans for a hip to gable loft conversion. Several months later a certificate of lawfulness had been issued and 'conditional passing of plans notice' by Building Control.
Before instructing him I had read a book on loft conversions aimed at builders and architects, so knew pretty much what to expect, and spent several years practicing and learning what would be required of me.
This was to be a self build job, yes a big task, but one I felt confident to take on. I told my 'architect' that I would be consulting with him through out the build as obviously I would need advise as it went along. He felt it would be a fool hardy practice, but he knew that is what I would be doing.
I decided to use him at that point.
I had calculated there would be enough cu mt capacity available (50cu under permitted development on a semi) to build the gable wall up - flush with the flank wall, and use the available height to build up to the ridge, giving a reasonable ceiling height.
I also assumed I could have a hall window (obviously with obscured glass) and one or two velux windows on the front highway facing pitched slope roof.
It was like pulling teeth, what ever I tried to suggest he would convince me I didn't know what I was talking about, and advise me planning wouldn't allow what I was suggesting (ie flush gable wall, hall window, velux's) - so as a layman I followed his advise, after all he was the professional.
Plans arrived and I was surprised to see a much reduced dormer with stepped in roof line, the dormer size reduced both in height (200mm unused) and width (500mm). I questioned him, but he said thats how it calculated (48.28 cu mt).
The structural calcs showing the Purlin wall had also moved into the loft space 500mm or so to a centre point under the sloping roof rafters.
9 months on and I'm gearing up to get cracking, upon checking I find his volume calculations to be out by 9 cu mts. Another thread here proves he is wrong:
//www.diynot.com/forums/floors-stairs-lofts/discrepencies-in-volume-calcs.326602/
To crown it, a few doors up the road, a loft conversion on an identical property to mine has gone up - with all the elements I had read about and assumed would be allowed.
I am running over his plans again tonight, and see the plans do not include the height of the extra 115mm of insulation on the warm roof
I have checked on the ARB website, and cant find him, so must assume he is not what I would consider an arcitect, I dont know what he is if cant even calculate volumes correctly.
My last conversation with him several months ago was very strained, and he shouted at me telling me I'm out of my depth - and the conversation ended.
My borough council and his local borough council - whom I have spoken to about him report him to be an abrupt and rude man - in fact his local council have terminated their relationship with him on this basis.
I have spoken to trading standards - and say he has a case to answer, but obviously that was not a professional opinion.
Should I expect him to put this right, make the changes I originally requested, and ask him to pay for plans to be resubmitted to planning and Building Control, at his expense.
I just know he will be as difficult as he can, I'm not out to prove him wrong, I just want plans done properly.
I now wish I had gone to a recognised architect.
Thanks
9 months ago I replied to a small ad in the local paper for someone advertising 'loft plans' and assumed the person behind it would be an 'architect', I went to visit him and look at some drawings he had previously done, he had many to show and I naturally assumed he had the requisite experience.
I instructed him to design plans for a hip to gable loft conversion. Several months later a certificate of lawfulness had been issued and 'conditional passing of plans notice' by Building Control.
Before instructing him I had read a book on loft conversions aimed at builders and architects, so knew pretty much what to expect, and spent several years practicing and learning what would be required of me.
This was to be a self build job, yes a big task, but one I felt confident to take on. I told my 'architect' that I would be consulting with him through out the build as obviously I would need advise as it went along. He felt it would be a fool hardy practice, but he knew that is what I would be doing.
I decided to use him at that point.
I had calculated there would be enough cu mt capacity available (50cu under permitted development on a semi) to build the gable wall up - flush with the flank wall, and use the available height to build up to the ridge, giving a reasonable ceiling height.
I also assumed I could have a hall window (obviously with obscured glass) and one or two velux windows on the front highway facing pitched slope roof.
It was like pulling teeth, what ever I tried to suggest he would convince me I didn't know what I was talking about, and advise me planning wouldn't allow what I was suggesting (ie flush gable wall, hall window, velux's) - so as a layman I followed his advise, after all he was the professional.
Plans arrived and I was surprised to see a much reduced dormer with stepped in roof line, the dormer size reduced both in height (200mm unused) and width (500mm). I questioned him, but he said thats how it calculated (48.28 cu mt).
The structural calcs showing the Purlin wall had also moved into the loft space 500mm or so to a centre point under the sloping roof rafters.
9 months on and I'm gearing up to get cracking, upon checking I find his volume calculations to be out by 9 cu mts. Another thread here proves he is wrong:
//www.diynot.com/forums/floors-stairs-lofts/discrepencies-in-volume-calcs.326602/
To crown it, a few doors up the road, a loft conversion on an identical property to mine has gone up - with all the elements I had read about and assumed would be allowed.
I am running over his plans again tonight, and see the plans do not include the height of the extra 115mm of insulation on the warm roof
I have checked on the ARB website, and cant find him, so must assume he is not what I would consider an arcitect, I dont know what he is if cant even calculate volumes correctly.
My last conversation with him several months ago was very strained, and he shouted at me telling me I'm out of my depth - and the conversation ended.
My borough council and his local borough council - whom I have spoken to about him report him to be an abrupt and rude man - in fact his local council have terminated their relationship with him on this basis.
I have spoken to trading standards - and say he has a case to answer, but obviously that was not a professional opinion.
Should I expect him to put this right, make the changes I originally requested, and ask him to pay for plans to be resubmitted to planning and Building Control, at his expense.
I just know he will be as difficult as he can, I'm not out to prove him wrong, I just want plans done properly.
I now wish I had gone to a recognised architect.
Thanks