Architect won’t supply plans with dimensions Information, help and advice on many architecture, self build and design problems and issues

[Crsm]

We had an architect for an extension and loft conversion. He produced plans and went through the planning application etc. The builders he wanted to use were too expensive and he wouldn’t work with one that we found so we terminated our association. We have the plans but he refuses to provide ones with measurements. Is he within his rights to withhold them, especially as we paid a lot of money?

[stoneyboy]

Hi crsm
Presumably you are referring to planning application plans, as opposed to building regulations plans. If this is the case there should be a scale on the drawings which will allow to to determine dimensions. There is no requirement to dimension PA plans.
Regards S

[Crsm]

Thanks for the reply.
Yes there is a scale on the plans (though on at least one there is an error) but it would have been much easier for my builder if the measurements were included. Having paid the architect the best part of 5k his attitude is very disappointing.

[julie1964]

Hello,

Just a quick one, have you got building regulation approval yet? Most extensions require Building Regulation drawings and will need submitting to Building Control for approval, then you need to arrange site inspections with the Building Control officer once work starts on site. The building regulation drawings are the drawings the builder works from which have all the detail and clear measurements on. If you don't have these type of drawings I suggest getting some pretty quickly if your engaging with builders.
Don't use an architect though, they are so pricy, an architectural designer or technologist can produce Building Regulation drawings at a fraction of the cost and should be able to work from the Planning drawings.

[Crsm]

I think our builder created the building regs drawings. He had t manually take measurements from the architects drawings.

[coldaquila]

We hired an architect 4 months ago who put together plans for our remodel of our 1930s Craftsman. Unfortunately, he miscalculated our city's setback restrictions (by over a foot and a half). When the plans were submitted, they were denied by the city based on the wrong setbacks. So we had to re-draw and re-configure everything and move the spaces around. He also failed to advise us about a zoning ordinance in our area, which is going to cost us about 15K extra. Had we known about this ordinance, we wouldn't have added the extra sq footage.