Architects plans wrong who pays extra cost the builder who did not double check size or architect who did plan?

Question

Our builder built our roof to the architects drawings and then when put in place discovered they were not correct. It has cost us £1,500 to order and fit another roof which we have paid our builder. Teh architect says it's builder responsibility to check plans as does the building inspector. Builder says it's architects fault. Who is too blame plus advise as £1,500 is a lot of money. thanks

Answer 1

I'm afraid it's not a straightforward answer to this one, without all the facts.



There is clear separation between what the architect has provided, and what the builder

was asked to do.



Put like this:



Architect provides drawings for construction:

- These are incorrect, proven to be wrong, and the Architect is negligent. fact



Builder asked to price JUST the drawings:

- He has done all that is asked, the architects drawings are wrong, the additional costs incurred

by you would be your claim against the architect.



Builder asked to price the job BASED on the architects drawings:

- An experienced builder would be expected to price the work, based on the drawings and the

current site conditions. The architect is still at fault, and so is the builder.



I work for a large building contractor, had the architects plans been incorrect, and i was asked

to price the work as per the plans, i would be claiming for additional costs to put it right from the

client.



The client, in turn, would then claim against the architect.



All too easily the architects get away with it. I would write them a letter, citing the fact their drawings

were incorrect, stating the additional costs you have incurred, and await their response.



If the response is unsatisfactory, write again, and copy in the RIBA. They should be members

of RIBA. They will take a dim view on architects drawings being incorrect. Ensure you request

that the Architects put their 'P.I. insurance on risk'.



http://www.architecture.com/ (RIBA)



They often state that all dimensions to be checked on site, by the contractor, however, £1500.00

on a domestic roof is an unreasonable error!



However, as mentioned above, check EXACTLY what you have asked each party to do; Any party

can only do what has been asked, and can only get it wrong when they deviate from this.



Often, the architect sources builders, and 'project manages' these domestic jobs. If this is the case

then you only have one place to go, and that's the architect, and how he has procured the work.



If you want any assistance, let me know....

Answer 2

Well first and foremost, you need to establish if the Architect really is an Architect. That is a Chartered Architect in the UK (RIBA) and a member of the AIA in the USA.

For a project costing £1,500 seems a paltry sum to engage an Architect. Their fees would only be £150 approx. and that does barely buys a couple of HP printing ink packs.

You need to find out if a proper survey was made and if so, who was responsible, etc.

My advice is to try and get the job completed as best you can as to pursue this legally would cost too much time and emotional stress as you would need to verify the Specification and Drawings and whatever else the builder based his price on and the work carried out according to that information.

Did you have a contract, if not, then that is your mistake. However, your architect should have advised you on that.

If in doubt about whether the person designing your project was an Architect, go to the RIBA and check-out to see if they are registered. If they are not registered and carried out the design work on the pretext of being an Architect, then you have an altogether different claim to make.

My advice - forget it unless you wish to establish some form of legal precedent. However, I would send your grievances to the RIBA. All architects have to be insured by law and it is more than possible that you could sue the architect. However, before doing this, send them the bill for reparation. Their reply will have to be based on legal fact, then pursue your claim through the normal channels if they ‘pass the buck’. I would venture that your claim is a simple County Court Claim for ‘works not done properly’ where you reclaim the costs for reparation works. Forget all the legal toing and froing about who was responsible for what. Place the responsibility for reparation action back into the hands of the protagonists. Otherwise you will not get anywhere resolving the matter and drive you crazy.

I hope this helps you resolve your problem.

Answer 3

Such a classic when it comes to building. The engineer blames the architect, architect blames the builder, builder blames the architect & engineer and around and around we go. Truth is, as a builder my job is to verify all the Architect's dimensions and make sure the roof doesn't end half way across the house. But if the roof fits, and it's more the style, shape, details, or finish materials used that are wrong...it's the architect that is to blame. Builders can not read minds, and they are not designers (although some are). If what is called out on the plans can be built per code, then that's what will be built.



Architects are notorious for having "a bust in dimensions". Which just means when you add all their numbers up they don't equal what they are supposed to. My job as a builder is to make sure they do, if not...go back to the architect and have him correct.



Did anyone think something was wrong as the roof went up?

Answer 4

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Answer 5

Not sure how it works across the pond, but in the US, it's common for architects to put a note on their plans "builder to verify all dimensions". That is their way of washing their hands of this problem. It obviously the architects fault, but the builder has some culpability as well as a professional. I would try to get both parties to absorb the cost 50-50, unless the architect did note to verify dimensions. It certainly isn't your fault. If you have the ability to, contact whatever governing body is where you live, that handles the plan review process. Ask them what they think is your best plan of attract for resolving the issue. Hope this helps some. Cheers mate

Answer 6

I can't say what is common in the UK but in the US, the designer is responsible for the correctness of drawings. I agree a good builder should have checked the design but it is still the architect's responsibility.



I don't know what the cost of a legal action would be but I bet if each of you paid a third it would be cheaper than going to court.

Answer 7

please explain, where the plans right in the first place?

if is a case that the dimension on site differed from architects survey, the plan usually states that the builder has the responsibility to check all dimensions on site.



1500 isnt cheap for the remedial work if its not a massive extension. sounds like the builder may have made the mistake and then used if as an opportunity to get you to pay extra money for him to do it right.

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Answer 10

tell us exactly what was wrong ...its allways the responsibility of the builder to check dimensions ..and as i am a builder i would know if something was wrong long before the £1500 was up ...only if you tell us what was wrong can we advise you..was it a truss roof ?..if so the builder will be responsible if dimensions are wrong...add..it is normal to see on an architects drawing the words ....builders should check and verify all dimensions before commencement of works

Answer 11

I don't believe you need to have a architect check your plans, not here in AU anyway. Just submit them and if there's something wrong with your drawings you'll know soon enough.

Answer 12

Best advise, go see someone at a Citizens Advice Bureau, from what you've described, I would say it's the architect's fault, but he'll most likely say it's the builder's fault, someone at CAB would know how to best pursue this. :)

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