Architect quit - now what?

I hired an architect based on a standard “percentage of construction” fee, for a kitchen and deck project, and gave them a “non-refundible deposit” and they proceeded to do drawings, none of which really quite worked. Close but not quite. Then we did a preliminary price estimate from a contractor they and I like and the price was a bit higher than I expected, and the process wasn’t going as I’d hoped and expected (I had a lot of questions and wasn’t feeling like I was getting answers etc). So I said I’d consider splitting the kitchen and deck into two projects and just doing the deck this go-round to save money for now (which could have cut their fee in half) and the architect resigned. I didn’t expect them to quit but since I wasn’t liking the process, fine.   So… Now what? Do they keep my deposit or return it, since they quit? I tried to convert them to a different fee arrangement so we could get to a place where I could take construction drawings, pay the architect and move on. The architect refused. Now the architect has my deposit and I have pdf drawings but no survey or CAD files. They are willing to return half my deposit and not turn over the survey or files, OR to keep the whole deposit and give me the files. I haven’t found a replacement architect yet. Potential replacements have told me the survey and CAD files would be worthwhile so I’m tempted to just leave the full deposit and procure the files, but I figure it may depend on which architect I hire. The one who quit says that their time was about equal to the full deposit but they would take a 50 percent loss as a courtesy to move on. I figure this isn’t quite win-win no matter what but am wondering what would be typical and fair here. I’ve now learned for my project, percentage of construction is not an option and I’d only do fixed-price or hourly (perhaps with a cap) but I’d love more feedback

jeanmarine2

in Architecture 12 years and 9 months ago

2

Please log in, in order to post replies!

2 replies

Newest Oldest

rfarch | 12 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4867 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4890 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "10037"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "rfarch"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "rfarch"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "rfarrell@mindspring.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(59) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/rfarchbrownstoner/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:14:45"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "rfarch"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(10037)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

You have not indicated wether you payed the architect for his time and services outside of the deposit you gave them. It sounds like they spent a lot of time on your project then you pulled the rug out. I don’t blame them for leaving the project since it seemd you had them creat a scheme (design and Drawings) for a kitchen and a deck. Percentage based on a deck would never cover the effort they already put in not to mention effort to complete it. It sounds like you were not realistic or properly prepared from the begining. I think their response to you was generous. A small job like yours should have been paid on an hourly bases rather than percentage or it would never cover the effort of the professionals engaged.

jockdeboeraia | 12 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4868 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4869 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "40876"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "jockdeboeraia"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BTfkV3DGGseot8oNyuG6kVhsNhUD2n1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "jockdeboeraia"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(22) "jdeboer@jockdeboer.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(31) "/forums/users/deboerarchitects/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:15:51"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "VK4zWrfWbTPHLfSSlGZI"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "jockdeboeraia"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(40876)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

It sounds like you should forget about his drawings.  Just start over, take 1/2 back and move on.   You paid for the survey so it is yours.  Call the survey company as it would be or should be in your name.  If yoiu want a normal person, give me a call. Good luck.