Building inspection with architect - is it advisable to consult an expert?

So he probably never saw the corresponding trade or only right at the very beginning.

Exciting topic.

It would now be interesting to know how the courts actually rule in practice: can the architect regularly demonstrate that he planned and supervised perfectly and that a defect is solely attributable to the contractor? A completely different matter, but in a car accident you also quickly have shared fault. As I said, according to my source, the architect must even be liable in the event of the contractor's insolvency if (and this is the point and you are of course absolutely right, nordanney) he also bears partial fault.

Is the architect really completely off the hook after acceptance of his work? Then it would definitely make sense to get professional support during this acceptance.

And what about the architect’s warranty on his work? If the basement floods due to a planning error because the architect never dealt with flood levels, are you left with the damage (within the warranty period, of course)? If damage appears at an interface between trades within the architect’s warranty period: do I then as the client have to argue with the craftsmen about who is to blame?

You often hear that it is legitimate for the fee to increase with chargeable costs, since the architect also bears corresponding liability and must insure himself. It would diminish the value of the architectural service if the architect could relatively easily avoid liability and warranty. Then the liability situation would be better with the general contractor, where you have to deal with fewer parties in particular.

And what about the architect's warranty on his work? If the basement floods due to a planning error because the architect never dealt with flood level data, do you end up bearing the damage (within the warranty period, of course)?

No, the architect is liable and insured for that.

If damage appears at an interface between trades within the architect's warranty period: do I, as the client, then have to argue with the craftsmen about who is to blame?

Of course. Because initially, no one will admit guilt and will blame the other. But that has nothing to do with the liability of the architect or craftsman. It happens so often that the painter blames the plasterer or the floor layer blames the screed layer, and he blames the heating engineer for his "incorrectly" installed underfloor heating. Only with the general contractor (GU) do you have one who is always to blame: the GU.