Architect fees - this seems excessive

pcheaven

hi,

I am trying to get planning to build a small terrace of 4 houses.
I have paid nearly £1000 for 5 drawings, and had a pre app meeting with the council.

Now the architect wants a further £4800 + Vat to provide further drawings necessary to submit the planning application
£1200+vat for a Top Survey to allow cross sections
and a as yet unspecified fees for his planning specialist to submit the plans


this all seems very excessive, considering I already have the below drawings from him

Block plan 1:250
Location plan 1:1250
site plan : 1:100
Floor Plan 1:100 (ground and 1st floor)
Floor Plan 1:100
Front Elevation 1:100

thoughts pls

Thrugelmir

Ask for a breakdown of the costs. I'm sure they'll oblige.

theGrinch

on the fac eof it it seems very unreasonable

ACG

Did you not ask/agree prices or estimates upfront?

G_M

What does your contract with the architect say?

Did the fees you agreed wth him include or exclude obtaining planning permmission, and/or drawing up plans with which you can apply yoursel?

pcheaven

I have no contract so can walk away any time,
I was expecting to pay a further £1000 is in fees, might be time to look elsewhere

G_M

pcheaven wrote: »

I have no contract so can walk away any time,
I was expecting to pay a further £1000 is in fees, might be time to look elsewhere

Of course you have a contract, though it may be verbal, and may be somewhat unclear (as seems to be the case here!).

The architect has done work for you. You are paying him. Therefore a contract exists.

If you were foolhardy enough to leave the contract vague (ie not defining the exact extent of the work) then you should not be surprised if a misunderstanding later occurs (eg he asks for an additional fee for some additional work which for some reason you thought was, or should be, included).

But as you say, provided you pay the fees for the work he has already done, you can choose to walk away with a clean slate.