problem with architect / building regs

mumto2loves

hi

we are in the paper work stage of getting an extention built over our garage. (i don't really know what i'm talking about so if i make any mistakes i appologies in advance)

my cousin is a builder and recommended his architect (he's used him many times) The architect was speedy and great got the planning permission plans drawn and submitted all ok. Then they sent us a copy of the building regs plans, i gave them to my cousin (who had a panic attack:p and dashed round to have another look at our garage)
the architect had drawn that we had a single wall garage, and on the plans had shown underpinning, steel rsjs (? my word maybe wrong) and brick pillars. but our garage is a double skimmed wall with breeze blocks inside and has foundations for a 2 storey building. (we'd realised we'd probably have to dig a trench to prove it before we start) they had also charged an extra £200 on top of the original estimate for steel engineers report.

my cousin phoned and told them they'd made a mistake, they said they'd re submit another set of plans. we've been phoning them every week or so and they keep saying they are just waiting.
so i phoned my local building regs office yesterday. they say original plans were submitted 4th may, pack was sent out 16th may. the 'changes' were submitted on 23rd june! so all the time they've been waiting they hadn't even re submitted them.

can i / should i complain? is there any point or should i just keep quiet and put it down to one of those things? what about the £200 steel engineers fee? we didn't need it so i 'feel' that they should refund it, is that reasonable?
hopefully our building regs 'pack' should be with us any day now.:j

iamcornholio

Ordinarily, I'd say that it did not matter that the designer had drawn the plans wrong, as the plans could be passed and then this sorted out on-site between the builder and council inspector - its very common.

However, in this case the designer's mistake has cost you engineers fees unnecessarily. You should expect the designer to have properly checked the existing building and used what was there already to save you money.

You should ask for the engineers fees to be refunded, and it should be refunded with no argument

111KAB

From the sound of things YOU did not appoint the Structural Engineer your 'Architect' did therefore if the SE cannot point to a letter of appointment from you then you have no contract with them therefore they cannot pursue you for their fees however if your letter or verbal appointment of the 'Architect' gave them the authority then you could possibly be in breach if you do not pay. If the SE's drawings/design were not required then merely point this out to the 'Architect' and it is up to him to resolve and either advise you not to pay or discount from his fee.
Are you sure that an Architect (RIBA etc) was employed or to use iamcornholio's description was he a 'designer'? I would clarify this aspect as it will have a bearing upon where you pursue the matter.
With regard to the time delay this has not cost you anything and I would just put it down to experience.

System

even if the drawings of the existing condition were correct if you are making structural changes you'd have probably had to get an engineer to sign off the structural alterations anyway, and £200 is really cheap for an engineer, can you send me his details?!