CAD file

Catbells

I hired a small building design company to draw plans for some internal building refurbishment.  I don't want to continue with this company and have found another -(recommended this time) - architect to do the work.  This new architect said he will need to do another survey unless I can obtain the CAD file from the first company in which case he will use the existing plans and reduce his cost of this phase of the pre-building work.   I paid £1200 to the first designer and am now faced with a similar amount from the the second one.   He will then steer it through local authority building department and manage the building works when they start.  I have asked  the first company if I can have the CAD file  (before I realised they own it),  and they have asked me to sign a  authorisation mandate for use of material and I don't understand the legal jargon.   However I don't fully trust them following some incidents and would like to check where I stand on this problem.    Any help appreciated.  Thank you.

lemondrops69

If I could afford it I would start afresh with the new architect. I wouldnt want to risk any issues then the second architect  blaming the CAD work of first architect if things went wrong

GDB2222

You'll need to post a copy of the mandate if you want any comments on it.

Catbells

I think I will cut my losses and learn from this.  I don't want further involvement with the first company.  Thanks.