Has My Architect Ripped Us Off?

rosamundie

Last year I completed a very big building job on my house, which took years of planning and a year of building.

Before I started the work I sat down with my chosen architect and he spent a considerable time going through all the builders’ estimates to get the best value quote – he also advised me to employ a quantity surveyor to pin down the costs of the chosen builder, which I duly did (good idea). Part of his `spec' was to advise me on the full cost of the works as I made clear that did want to add value, or at least not lose money once the work was done if I decided to sell up in the future. I had 3 options and he insisted that the option that involved the most work (for him!) would be the one which would most likely result in profit - but now the job is over, this is patently not the case.

But I am embarrassed to admit that I was spectacularly naieve and didn’t factor in the architect’s fees to the full cost of the project. We worked on a per hour basis as I didn’t think to pin him down to a flat fee for the job (I didn’t even think this was possible until the job was nearly over).

I completely trusted him so it came as a shock to realise he was charging me for work which I hadn’t asked for – for example, arranging to meet my builders on site to answer very minor queries (without telling me) which I could have easily answered myself. (I’m not completely clueless – I’ve done plenty of refurbs but nothing on this scale). I only found out about these unnecessary site meetings when the builder told me about them. Once I became suspicious I realised that his time-sheets were massively over-estimating the time spent but by then it was too late.

Another example was that he spent hours planning furniture placement in my house – when I found out I told him to stop this as I was perfectly capable of deciding where to put furniture. He recommended a number of service companies during the job to me which I used but I now suspect he was getting kickbacks from them. But buy the end of the job I was getting wise to it and when he said he would order me a £700 dishwasher I told him I could get one myself for a third of the price. He also organised a gardening company to give a quote for a small piece of trellis that was going to cost 1.5k. Obviously I said no.

He also advised a neighbour on a planning application, insisting she would make untold riches by knocking down her large house and getting permission for 3 smaller ones on the plot. The neighbour went ahead, paid him a fortune to obtain planning but once it was obtained, the plot wasn’t any more valuable as no developer was interested due to restrictions of access etc. Surely the job of an architect is to give his client unbiased advice? I now realise that his modus vivendi is to enrich himself by recommending unnecessary work at the expense of his clients.

Architects must adhere to a professional code of ethics that all professionals must adhere to. For example, if a 20 year old woman goes to see a plastic surgeon requesting a facelift a reputable doctor will tell her to go away. Similarly, I once consulted a solicitor and he advised me not to bother pursuing a case as although I was in the right, it wouldn’t be worth my while to pursue things.

I have now spent far more renovating this property than I will ever get back and predictably have gone over budget. I don’t blame the architect for this as this is partly due to the poor housing market. However, I would never have embarked on such an ambitious scheme if he had factored in his costs at the start as well as all the other costs that you incur in this sort of project (surveyors, party wall compensations, structural engineers, paying off neighbours etc etc), which he never mentioned. Looking back, I was ridiculously trusting, but you expect a professional to be upfront and for a long time I really trusted him.

While I am not expecting any financial recompense, I think the least I can do is make him aware that this behaviour is unethical and write a review to warn off other prospective clients.
Has anyone had a similar experience?

System

is the architect registered with the ARB?
What does the appointment document say and what services did you sign up for?
It sounds like you have already disputed the amount of time spent if you have copies of timesheets, remember that professionals don't just spend the time of a phone call dealing with queries and questions.
There should be clear terms of engagement, if you signed up for a full service at an hourly rate it seems absolutely bizarre to not allow for any professional fee, presumably their service proposal didn't say their time was free

tacpot12

If your architect is a member of a professional body, do consider using their mediation service to resolve your dispute. They will know whether your architect has abused his position.

rosamundie

Replying to the_r_sole
As I stated in my OP, I confess to being naïve. However, the duty of someone signed up to a chartered profession is surely to work on behalf of the client. I’ve consulted doctors, dentists and solicitors who, at different times, advised me it was not necessary to pursue various courses of action – even though this meant less money for them. We pay these experts for their expertise and honest opinion and it is assumed they will advise us accordingly.

Some years ago I employed an architect to work on a charitable project close to both our hearts. To my surprise and delight, his bill was incredibly reasonable. I later asked if he would quote for a loft conversion I was doing and he said that an architect was not necessary for this project as the builder was more than capable of working to some existing drawings – this proved to be the case and his honesty saved me thousands of pounds.

My feeling is that the architect I refer to in my OP has not behaved ethically in the spirit of his profession. The ACA (The Association of Consultant Architects) appears to agree; it states:
`In all projects an architect should be expected to set out his or her fee on the basis of work stages. Work stages are based on clearly identifiable “deliverables” such as a preliminary design, a town planning application, a full scheme design, a set of working drawings for construction etc. Recommended stages are set out formally in what is called the architect’s Plan of Work and there is a generally recognised apportionment of the full percentage fee to each of these work stages.
The acknowledgement of the passing and signing off of these work stages allows both client and architect to gauge progress of the project. On large projects it is a good idea to gauge how much of a given work stage has been completed at any given time as well and this may be estimated and reported at regular intervals to gauge progress.

Architects work with clients to clarify their ambitions in the form of a brief, develop a programme of requirements, explore the opportunities and constraints offered by one or more sites of an existing building and draw up plans for the necessary building work. They will also secure necessary consents and prepare information for the costing, procurement and construction of a new building or adaptation of an existing property`.

I had the misfortune to employ an individual who chucked a few pages of his profession’s code of conduct in the bin. Silly old me.

I am sorry you consider my concerns `bizarre’ but I suppose this is just evidence of the dishonourable and dog-eat-dog world we live in.

System

Are they a registered architect with the ARB? They are the only body to which one can register to use the protected title of architect.
If so there are certain demands placed on them as professionals, however you still haven't answered so we are no further on with establishing how best to proceed

rosamundie

Yes, he is definitely registered. Really, the horse has bolted for me on this but I would hate others to make my mistake.

System

Have you gone to the ARB website and checked his details and registration?

rosamundie

Yes, just searched for him and he is definitely bona fide.

System

rosamundie wrote: »

Yes, just searched for him and he is definitely bona fide.

Ok, well he should have given you a full written agreement specifying the service he was going to provide and how you would pay for it, he should also have a dispute resolution proposition in there too - did you get a formal architects appointment document (there are standard forms which some use) as it's an easy way to comply with the code of conduct.
There are other aspects where you might question his professionalism, you should write to him in the first instance and see how he reacts, the next stage after that is raising a complaint with the ARB who have the power to fine/reprimand him. (It's very common to see architects reprimanded for not having clear appointment) this is standard 4 of the code of conduct.
http://www.arb.org.uk/architect-information/architects-code-standards-of-conduct-and-practice/

rosamundie

I do remember signing an agreement when I first employed him. I scanned it and remember thinking it was all straightforward - however, I wasn't en garde and assumed the best as I've always had good experiences dealing with professionals and even builders! I do remember he didn't give me a copy of the agreement. It was 5 years ago since I signed it so it's quite hazy.

DavidJonas

Out of interest, what made you choose him? Was he recommended?