Paying fees in advance?

Beenie

We have engaged an architect to draw plans. He hasn't started any work yet, only been to the house to discuss the work.

He has sent us an invoice this morning, in anticipation of the work he will do with the Building Regs inspector, and for his time in doing the CAD drawings.

This seems odd to us. Most people send a bill after the work has been done. What should we do?

tacpot12

Send him an email saying thanks for the invoice, we will pay half when the plans are approved by the planning dept. and half when building control sign off the building work. This may be what he is expecting, but if not, it should trigger a phone call from him to discuss his payment terms, which you really should have discussed on his first visit. I wouldn't pay anything upfront.

Beenie

We have paid him because, when we looked back at his original fees info, there was mention of paying in advance.

We hadn't noticed that, but feel we have to honour it now....and just hope that he doesn't go out of business as a one-man-band.