Been asked to pay a 50% Deposit for garage conversion drawings

werdas

Hello
Im considering having internal garage conversion done, and as I need full planning permision (checked with LA) I need drawings with it, found one www.rehalplanning.co.uk, been told that they want 50% deposit upon site visit and 50% on submission to the council.
the price is £200 cheaper then the next cheapest, sound good but ....
that Deposit worries, me, if I pay and never see them/him/her again...

is there a safe way to do it?

many thanks

fezster

Pay using a credit card, if that's an option. Then you will be protected if they do not deliver.

Otherwise, do the usual due diligence. Check how long they have been in business, speak to previous customers, etc.

werdas

Thanks, I have found only 1 review on them/......

MisterBaxter

If you really have to go with them then as suggested pay by credit card for the S75 protection.

I would be a little dubious about any company wanting that sort of money up front for drawings. Usually they simply wouldn't release production drawings until you pay which gives them some protection against non-payment although they've done the work.

Are they going to pay planning/building reg fees on your behalf or are you being asked to pay these yourself as that would be another reason for wanting some money up front.

If they are managing the works then they may want stage payments but the 100% payment would come at the end if the job.

It goes without saying that you need to check their credentials and get some testimonials in person (not from their website).

System

they have been established for 18 years but only have 4 projects on their website?

Not sure why they need half the money at site visit?! what if they decide the project is a non-starter with the planners, do you still have to pay them?
It's not that usual for architects to ask for money up front, before any work has been done - what other terms and conditions do they have? if they have given you a quote and not seen the property can they vary their quote too?
Do they carry any pi insurance?
Have you met them and happy with the person?

£200 might not be any saving at all depending on the quality of information they provide

a lot of the testimonials mention "Architects" but the company themselves don't, if you are expecting a registered professional architect here you need to ask them to confirm

teneighty

Looking at the website the grammar and English is rather poor, the drawings are very amateurish. I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole.

Doozergirl

The guy is a former planning officer, definitely not an architect. It didn't say he's been running this business for 18 years, hence a smaller portfolio, I imagine.

Edit: The Linked In profile suggests someone with 10(ish) years experience and doesn't stay anywhere all that long.

The pricing on the website is misleading as they "ONLY" give scenarios that require either planning or building regs, not both.

Looks like he'll subcontract most of what is listed as he won't be qualified.