At what point do you call it quits with your architect?

We closed on our house two months ago, should have started construction already, and we still don’t have permits because we still don’t have a plan we can all agree upon.  My spouse and I have been very clear from the start about what we want to achieve, and we keep getting plans that reflect what the architect thinks would be better.  So we sit down, have a meeting, he agrees that he sees our point, we think we’re all clear, and then we get a new set of rough plans that bear no resemblance to what we want. Oh…and the architcect is a friend of a friend. AWKWARD.  We have the budget to execute the plan we have in mind, but he seems to want to spend our budget elsewhere. I’m frustrated and I’m being intentionally vague although I don’t think he reads Brownstoner.  Any suggestions on how to say “this isn’t working”? The thing is, he’s known for the kind of work we had in mind, which is why we wanted to work with him, but he has a different vision for our house and it just isn’t working. We don’t have the luxury of spending endless months in a pissing match over where the kitchen should go. We’ve done gut renovations before, but never with an architect. This was supposed to make the process easier and instead it’s keeping me up at night.  Do we even need an architect? If we don’t use an architect, who files the plans for us?  I would love to hear from those of you on both sides of the fence.

brownstonebiff

in Brownstoner Renovation 13 years and 3 months ago

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architect66 | 13 years and 3 months ago

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Sorry to hear about your situation. It sounds like the sort of behavior that gives architects a bad name. Doing a design for a friend’s home is not the place where architects should dig in their heels over aesthetics.  The best residential architects I know work to support their clients through the project and make it easier for them.  Even experienced renovators only take on a home renovation a handful of times in their lives.  If your architect isn’t trying to make it easy for you, it’s probably time to move on.

jigman | 13 years and 3 months ago

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Unless you’ve given your architect complete artistic license, they SHOULD be taking all of your wishes and instructions as seriously as they can and implement them into a design with which you are both pleased.  They are here to provide a service to you, and that should be there #1 goal. That said, switching architects now will most likely cost you a good deal of additional time and money.  You can pay your architect for the work they’ve done to date, but it doesn’t mean that they will release their plans to a new architect.  They could claim creative license on the work if there is not an amicable split.  The new architect would most likely want to re-survey your house and start from scratch with you.

joules | 13 years and 3 months ago

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Have you considered that perhaps the fact that this Architect is a friend of the friend has made you a bit more reserved in your criticism in the past?  I think you should have a very upfront and honest talk where you explicitly express how strongly you feel, and that you feel like your request isn’t heard.  Perhaps come right out and *ask* if he will ever be willing to draw it up the way you envision.  It’s hard to know what he’s thinking, but it’s possible that he doesn’t realize how strongly you feel about the direction of the house.  A good designer should be able to find a good comprimise- a design that will satisfy the needs of the clients, but also stay true to what that designer feels is right.  After that conversation, the Architect may walk away himself!   You’ve already gone through a certain amount of work with this Architect- it’s probably going to cost you more money to change Architects than to make it work with this guy.  That’s why I say give him one more shot before you part ways.

Putnamdenizen | 13 years and 3 months ago

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The contract I am signing with an architect makes it clear what the fees are for every step of the process.  Pay that fee, and move on to a new architect.  Sounds like s/he doesn’t want to do your project.

skarns | 13 years and 3 months ago

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It is important to listen to your architect as they are the practiced expert in the process and are ultimately liable for their work, but they should always exhibit a professionalism that allows for compromise.  In the end, the goal is the design and construction of a home for YOU.

mike-the-expeditor | 13 years and 3 months ago

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I think you’re right — if the next set of plans aren’t to your satisfaction then you may need to move on.  Pay the gentleman  for his time and work and find someone else.  In addition to the architects that post here, I’ve worked with a few architects that I could refer to you decide to “be friends”.

mike-the-expeditor | 13 years and 3 months ago

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“Maintaining historic integrity”?  Is this house on a landmarks block?  If it isn’t then he isn’t listening — it may be time to give him the “it’s our way or we’re going with someone else” -chat.

deano | 13 years and 3 months ago

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my understanding is that you do need an architect to draw up, stamp and get approved the filing plans for your work.  sounds like a sucky time.  i have just gone through that phase of a similar project but with an architect who listens and lets me plan my own house.  when we disagree, she cautions me & explains how she believes i’m making a wrong choice…   but i still get to make that choice.  i couldnt be happier with the professionalism.  they’re at www.bparc.com

mike-the-expeditor | 13 years and 3 months ago

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You will need an architect or professional engineer to sign off on the drawings and then they can be submitted to the DOB.  Assuming you have all the other paperwork in order (Asbestos forms, etc.) you can file them yourself (be prepared to spend a lot of time at the DOB) or you can hire an expeditor to navigate that maze for you. What’s the disconnect between your ideas and his plans?  If your dreams aren’t permissible under NYC buiiding codes then he or she needs to make that clear.  Otherwise you may be better off going to another architect.

brownstonebiff | 13 years and 3 months ago

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I can’t edit my post so I’ll add here….other than for electrical work, we, ah, didn’t file for our other projects. This time around we decided not to mess around and try to fly under the DOB radar, which is why we don’t have experience with filing plans.