Architect does not keep the schedule - what to do?

Hello people,

I have a serious problem: I hired an architect for the renovation of a single-family house. The task was to create a submission plan and to handle the entire authority process.

The contract date was a staggering seven (7!!!!) months ago. During this period, I received 2 drafts that did not meet my wishes, otherwise only empty promises. Initially agreed submission date was the end of May. If it will be submitted by mid-October as now communicated, that would be a delay of 4 1/2 months. Since we have already made a down payment and I don’t want to hire a new architect because of the whole procedure, I don’t know what to do anymore and turn to you with the hope of getting some advice here.

During the project phase, not a single deadline was met, let alone was I informed that deadlines could not be met. There have been an incredible 21 missed deadlines or postponements in this period. 3D plans of the exterior and interior, which I was promised at the beginning of September after the floor plan data was already fixed, are still not available. Since I want to rent out the property and expect rental income in the amount of €1500-2000/m, I now have to reckon with a loss of nearly €10k solely due to lost rental income. Due to the impossible credit application and increased interest costs, it probably involves a six-figure amount that the delay will cost us.

Is there anything that can be done here? As mentioned, I cannot take on a new architect now, as everything would start over again. Unfortunately, I should have pulled the plug three months ago....

Thanks in advance for your responses. Best regards, Nico

You want to claim lost rental income even though the plans aren't even finished yet? Honestly, that sounds like nonsense. Delays in construction are normal and the only one to blame for that is, in my opinion, you.

Dear Katja,

please explain to me how I am to blame for this. I did not write that I want to claim lost rental income, but merely pointed it out to indicate the precarious situation.

According to surveys of other architects, a submission planning takes between 2 and 4 months.

Please no provocations or unnecessary answers but a constructive contribution. I am already stressed enough. Thank you

The question would first be what was contractually agreed upon and what have you done so far to speed up the whole process? Have deadlines been contractually agreed upon? Have deadlines been set by you? Or have you just annoyedly accepted the appointment cancellations over the 7 months and taken no further action? Otherwise, have a lawyer review it once and get advice on what leverage you have for enforcing the contract. As long as no one knows the exact wording of the contract here, everything is just speculation.

please explain to me how I am to blame for this.

You already did that yourself:

Unfortunately, I should have pulled the plug already 3 months ago....

But you still haven't managed to draw a line under this guy. :rolleyes:

It seems to me that at some point between the 21 appointments He ran out of working time. Seriously: What is so extensive about an approval planning that so many appointments are scheduled for it? Especially since it concerns a renovation, not a new build? The existing structure already sets many parameters.