We decided to to use a architect to design an extension on our home which included large open plan living and a second story extension.
On our first meeting we made it clear that his design has to fall within our budget.
He verbally told us he will design something within our budget.
Throughout the plans there were five stages from sketch design to contract documentation.
At the first stage of the plans (sketch design) we requested the architect to run the plans by a builder who he had highly recommended to do our job. They knew each other well and have worked on many projects together in the past.
The architect called us back after looking at the plans with the builder and told us this will fall within our budget.
We decided then to go ahead with the completion of the drawings.
Once the drawings were complete we were very keen to start with the renovations/extension. We paid the architect in full which was over $30,000 not including engineering costs which were a further $6,000.
We then got the architect to get back to the original builder and give us a set price. To our supprise the price went up by $300,000. Throughout the process we did not alter the plans at all.
We then decided to tender the job and all the quotes were approx $400,000 more than our budget.
The way I feel is that the architect has not done what we have paid for. We paid him to design something in our budget and he told us he would.
We have these great plans that we can not use. Yes we can make some changes to shave the price a little but not $300,000.
On our first meeting we made it clear that his design has to fall within our budget.
He verbally told us he will design something within our budget.
Throughout the plans there were five stages from sketch design to contract documentation.
At the first stage of the plans (sketch design) we requested the architect to run the plans by a builder who he had highly recommended to do our job. They knew each other well and have worked on many projects together in the past.
The architect called us back after looking at the plans with the builder and told us this will fall within our budget.
We decided then to go ahead with the completion of the drawings.
Once the drawings were complete we were very keen to start with the renovations/extension. We paid the architect in full which was over $30,000 not including engineering costs which were a further $6,000.
We then got the architect to get back to the original builder and give us a set price. To our supprise the price went up by $300,000. Throughout the process we did not alter the plans at all.
We then decided to tender the job and all the quotes were approx $400,000 more than our budget.
The way I feel is that the architect has not done what we have paid for. We paid him to design something in our budget and he told us he would.
We have these great plans that we can not use. Yes we can make some changes to shave the price a little but not $300,000.