Architect

e-victims

I used an architect name Tony Walton in Ely Cambs to advise us on load bearing walls. First he sent the wrong measurements to the structural engineer so the RSJ was the wrong size which meant we had a narrower opening than planned. Secondly, he didn't consider how the chimney was supported so he missed that another wall was also load bearing. This is despite the fact that he over saw similar work next door. He blames the builder, the builder blames Tony Walton and then both blame us the client! I assume we can take him to small claims court for not fulfilling the contract or not delivering services to a reasonable standard?

Optimist

e-victims wrote: »

I used an architect name Tony Walton in Ely Cambs to advise us on load bearing walls. First he sent the wrong measurements to the structural engineer so the RSJ was the wrong size which meant we had a narrower opening than planned. Secondly, he didn't consider how the chimney was supported so he missed that another wall was also load bearing. This is despite the fact that he over saw similar work next door. He blames the builder, the builder blames Tony Walton and then both blame us the client! I assume we can take him to small claims court for not fulfilling the contract or not delivering services to a reasonable standard?

You would be doing so under the Supply of Goods and Services Act.

You will need to prove that the person you eventually do take to court did not use reasonable skill in carrying out the work.

You will also need to prove the nature and extent of any loss.

I would suggest you first identify the culprit unless you have the proof that the architect is the baddy...

DevCoder

Also be very careful about naming people on forums unless you are absolutely sure you have proof, liable and defamation of character are expensive suits.

pulliptears

Seems this guy is known for his interesting approach:

http://www.elystandard.co.uk/news/plans_for_new_council_offices_could_be_refused_1_875033

Residents also mocked the apparent botched planning application, by Tony Walton Design, which was reportedly littered with spelling mistakes, suggested the design team was based in Afghanistan and included no first floor plan.

Be interesting to know if he's a qualified architect or if he's an architectural technician. If he's a technician advertising as an architect rather than 'architectural services' then I suspect RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) would be interested as well as Trading Standards.

pka_2

Why would you employ and Architect to advise you on load bearing walls? - go direct to the Structural Engineer!

pulliptears

pka wrote: »

Why would you employ and Architect to advise you on load bearing walls? - go direct to the Structural Engineer!

If OP was having works done to which steel cals were only a part then it makes perfect sense that the Structural Engineer would be procured via the architect.

Its fairly normal when having plans drawn for the architect to employ the services of the engineer for beam calcs rather than the householder. You usually find the architect has a specific engineer he or she uses and trusts.

As for why not go directly to an engineer if they weren't having plans drawn, quite simply most people don't know that an architect couldn't do that. If you asked a householder who they would contact in regards to knocking out walls or chimneys I suspect the majority would say 'an architect'.

pka_2

Fair point, I didn't think of that; just assumed that because I knew all others would