Architect - taken 12 months to get extension agreed

lucylou32

Please read in email format. I.e from bottom to top

Hi Owen

Sorry to hear you haven't been well.

In regard to your comments below:

1. If we pay Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council £172 and wait 8-10 weeks and only after approval is received from them, go back to Southern Water for approval, if we are then rejected by Southern Water again, we will have wasted both £172 and 8-10wks of our time. We now realise this is the mistake that occurred last year and that logically Southern Water should have been approached for approval prior to requesting planning permission from the council. Unless of course there is a specific reason for your suggestion that you are aware of, that we are not? If not, please proceed as per my email dated 25th January and gain permission from Southern Water first.

2. In regard to your new drawing. I notice you've moved the WC/Ensuite to the front, in line with the new lounge. However, T&M have previously told us, they would not be prepared to allow that front wall to exceed 4500mm, do you believe they have now changed their mind and will allow it? Because obviously, without some kind of hope provided, it seems pointless to pay £172 and wait 8-10wks to be told, again, that we're not allowed a front wall exceeding the length of 4500mm

3. In your emailed dated 14th December, you state that we can commence with building the rear single story extension and the two story side extension (excluding the WC/Ensuite) however it now appears you may be mistaken, because you're suggestion you contact Southern Water now for build over permission (of the drain under the utility) and we assume, to move the drain under the kitchen door (which is shown outside of the building on your drawing). We will assume your original email encouraging us to proceed was misguided, unless you confirm otherwise.

4. During our last meeting (31st July) it was agreed we'd have a single window in the utility room, looking into the garden and 3 single windows in the kitchen (one either side on the window you've just put in place).

5. On your final can I please again request, all measurements are included. I'm currently looking at the large expanse of empty wall by the internal kitchen door and wondering if it's worth shortening it and creating more space the other side of the doorframe for kitchen units. But without measurements, it's hard to gauge.

Kind regards

Hi Lucy,

Apologies for the late response. I have off sick with tonsillitis for the past week.

Please find attached a copy of the planning application issued for the relocation of the small two storey extension.

I have attached a updated drawing showing the revised side small two storey extension, with an updated sewer and waste pipe distribution layout. I do not believe I received confirmation from Southern Water regarding the build over for the rear single storey extension. The main issue was the relocation of the main sewer/building within 500mm of sewer, which required a new application, which is adjacent to the small two storey extension. I will contact Southern Water and seek a build over approval for your project. The re-direction of the rear sewer into the main sewer will need to be formally discussed.

As per our instruction, I have submitted the planning application. The planning process will take 8-10 weeks, which is outside of my control. Should you require approval from Southern Water before seek planning consent, I can cancel the current planning application? If not, a cheque payment of £172.00is now due.

Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

N.B. I have added a window on single storey rear elevation, in front of the sink for your consideration.

Kind regards,


BSc Hon MCIOB RMaPS TechIOSH MIFireE ACIArb
Director


From: Lucy
Sent: 25 January 2016 16:44
To: Owen
Subject: Re: 17

Hi Owen

I hope everything's going well for you.

We had some good news this weekend. As you may recall, our builder last year only took on small projects in anticipation of starting ours and unfortunately took a house build for this year, thinking he'd have finished ours by now, so wouldn't be available again till 2017.

However, because of the 10k deposit we gave him for materials when we got planning permission last year (we naively assumed that we were able to go ahead at that point) he has kept in touch to see how we're doing.

We mentioned you had obtained permission from Southern Water for us to proceed with the rear extension and side extension with the exception of the W/C and he said he'd see what he could do about running our project alongside his house build. However, before he starts hiring additional workers, he'd like to see the letter from Southern Water granting us permission. I've just given Southern Water a call and they're denying any permission has been granted.

Chris Biggs (from SW) called me back himself, we discussed options and I suggested that we connect the waste pipe leading from the kitchen entrance to the waste pipe at the far edge of the property and he agreed, if you could show that in your design, it would solve our problem of the lounge. I also asked if we could send your revised design to him first (before asking for planning permission) to make sure Southern Water would approve first, since they don't charge anything for that service, whereas Planning charge each time. After all, we'd hate to pay Planning only for SW to reject it and have to start again.

Also, a quick side note: for the builder, could you please show all measurements on your design, I.e how far the kitchen wall should be in from the fence etc as he says he's not willing to guess and risk getting it wrong for the building inspector, he also pointed out the missing windows in the kitchen and utility room from the original design, that need to be shown.

I look forward to seeing the final design.

Kind regards
Lucy


From: Lucy
Sent: 11 January 2016 12:53
To: Owen



Hi Owen

Thank you for this, please proceed.

Lucy


On 11 Jan 2016, at 09:02, Owen Davis <odavis@davisconsultingltd.co.uk> wrote:

Hi Lucy,



Happy New Year. I hope your trip to Somerset was enjoyable.



Option 2 would be considered an easier route. Southern Water do not like relocating large sewers, unless it’s necessary and obviously at the right price.

The side small two storey extension will need to be formally submitted under another ‘Householder planning application’. I have explored whether a ‘non material amendment’ would be applicable, but there is no statutory definition of a non-material amendment, however the change maybe be non-material in one case and material in another.

On this basis below I have prepared a fee proposal (please find attached) for the following service:



· Amend current elevation and floor plans;

· Prepare planning application;

· Manage planning application;

· Re-submit Southern Water drawings



I can provide the above service for £600.00 + VAT (Incs printing and disbursements) (excludes statutory fee of £172.00 inc VAT)



The next stages will consist of:



Task

Programme

Amending the existing drawings and submit planning application;

1 week

New planning application period;

Approx. 8-10 weeks

Submitting revised drawings to Southern Water to seek a build over approval;

1 week

Southern Water review period

Approx. 4 weeks, if not before.



The Local Authority and Southern Water are out of the control of DCL Limited. I have provided suggested timeframes for each stage of the task. My role will be to apply pressure on the Statutory Authorities, to ensure the necessary approvals are obtained and provide you with an update during the course of the commission.

I will need to a swift instruction to ensure I can fulfil the above timeframe. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards,


Owen BSc Hon MCIOB RMaPS TechIOSH MIFireE ACIArb

Director

From: Lucy
Sent: 27 December 2015 17:47
To: Owen


Hi Owen.

In regard to the email below, we're inclined to go with your suggestion of option 2. Could you please provide a complete cost estimate for both the options that you are suggesting are available. Also, how much of what you have already done is usable in a new design.

Since our builder is starting a new project for another customer in the new year, we'll need to find someone else to carry out the work (we anticipate this being difficult considering our small budget). Can I please ask you to be brutally honest in your opinion, as to how long each of your suggestions would take to completion.



Thank you

Lucy

lucylou32

For anyone following:
Copy of the email I've sent today.

Hi Owen

I have an update for you.

I have spoken to Vicki at T&M this morning. She has advised us of the following:

1. The larger home application doesn't require a fee. Within the application you submitted for the 6 meter single story rear extension, section 5 asks for contact details of all neighbours with adjoining land (not just the attached house). The application you submitted was missing those details (as well as missing the plans) as you're now aware. Once they have these details they can then move onto the next stage.

2. Although you submitted a new application for the two story side extension in January, according to T&M no plans accompanied it. T&M say they wrote to you twice requesting plans (once in January and again at the beginning of February) but no response was received from you until 4th April. The 8-10wk assessment will therefore start from 4th April, not January as you previously advised us.

3. T&M say a 3rd application has been received for a 'roof extension'. Again, no plans accompanied the application, so they don't know what it's for. However, a roof extension application generates a fee of £86, which I paid on 17th March under your instruction. Can you please tell me what this application relates to?

With this new information in hand, I also contacted Southern Water for an update. They have advised they are still waiting on revised drawings, which they have been waiting for since January. Southern water advised they simply need the drain under the living room to be marked as 'to be replaced with a piece of vitrified clay pipe' and the drain at the kitchen entrance to show as more than 500mm away from the new walls. You have confirmed you're aware of this request. Is there a reason for the 3mth delay in sending the amendments over?

With the above information made available to us, we can see that your service of 'managing the applications' has failed. You have previously confirmed you would keep on top of these applications which clearly hasn't happened. We would like your reassurance that you will treat our project with proactive attention going forward.

I look forward to your response and confirmation that all these issues will be dealt with and settled by the end of this week.

Kind regards
Lucy

teneighty

Why are you still employing this cretin?

Owen BSc Hon MCIOB RMaPS TechIOSH MIFireE ACIArb...this alone was enough to tell me he is an idiot. No professional would bother with all those mickey mouse pseudo qualifications. member of the Association of Project Safety; Institution of Occupational Safety and Health; Institution of Fire Engineers. Jeez!

He forgot his cycling proficiency badge and 25 metre front crawl certificate.

System

teneighty wrote: »

Why are you still employing this cretin?

Owen BSc Hon MCIOB RMaPS TechIOSH MIFireE ACIArb...this alone was enough to tell me he is an idiot. No professional would bother with all those mickey mouse pseudo qualifications. member of the Association of Project Safety; Institution of Occupational Safety and Health; Institution of Fire Engineers. Jeez!

He forgot his cycling proficiency badge and 25 metre front crawl certificate.

And if that wasn't enough, he has stock photos of skyscrapers on his website with no actual examples of his work!! :rotfl::rotfl:

Doozergirl

teneighty wrote: »

Why are you still employing this cretin?

Owen BSc Hon MCIOB RMaPS TechIOSH MIFireE ACIArb...this alone was enough to tell me he is an idiot. No professional would bother with all those mickey mouse pseudo qualifications. member of the Association of Project Safety; Institution of Occupational Safety and Health; Institution of Fire Engineers. Jeez!

He forgot his cycling proficiency badge and 25 metre front crawl certificate.

Urgh. Moron.

Worse than people who work from home and call themselves "CEO" of a company.

I have a 3rd place certificate for the egg and spoon race from Brownie Revels Day in 1985. I'm determined to put it up in my forever house downstairs loo.

Doozergirl

the_r_sole wrote: »

And if that wasn't enough, he has stock photos of skyscrapers on his website with no actual examples of his work!! :rotfl::rotfl:

I strongly suspect none of them have ever been built!

lucylou32

teneighty wrote: »

Why are you still employing this cretin?

Owen BSc Hon MCIOB RMaPS TechIOSH MIFireE ACIArb...this alone was enough to tell me he is an idiot. No professional would bother with all those mickey mouse pseudo qualifications. member of the Association of Project Safety; Institution of Occupational Safety and Health; Institution of Fire Engineers. Jeez!

He forgot his cycling proficiency badge and 25 metre front crawl certificate.

Ok, I get it, I'm an idiot I interviewed him, he had the gift of the gab, we hired him.. Each time we ask him what's going on, he has excuses ready made.. I did speak to 3 other architects in January, 2 said they didn't want to take on another persons project, the 3rd said he'd consider it, but couldn't start till April and would have to charge us to do the job in its entirety, considering how much money we've already paid Owen, that made us hesitate. Hindsight is a wonderful thing...

But what do we do now? After suffering stress which resulted in high blood pressure which resulted in 2 hospital admissions during my pregnancy, then early labour at a time the build should have been complete, and then with no extra space in our minuet bedroom (which was going to be the nursery once the master bedroom is build) my husband is having to sleep on the sofa, I feel he's pretty much ruined our lives.. I want to go knock on his door and call him all sorts of names, including a shishter, he's simply lied about having a single clue about what to do, on the other hand, I want to take him to court and put a dampener on his life, as he's done to me... But what can I honestly do, other than keep contacting him weekly, asking for updates

lucylou32

Doozergirl wrote: »

Urgh. Moron.

Worse than people who work from home and call themselves "CEO" of a company.

I have a 3rd place certificate for the egg and spoon race from Brownie Revels Day in 1985. I'm determined to put it up in my forever house downstairs loo.

I now know that he does work from home and his wife is his secretary !! So when he goes on holiday with his family (as he does every single school holiday) there is zero contact.

Doozergirl

Sue him. Take him to small claims for the simple fact that he is incompetant and unable to do anything in a sensible time frame.

Send him a letter telling him he has 14 days within which to do x, y and z or you will be proceeding with a small claims case to retrieve your money.

The guy needs at least a rocket up his backside. Stop being so nice!

You're not the idiot. He is.

ManofLeisure_2

lucylou32, do you mind me asking 'how much' you have actually paid this chap?