Incompetent architect - what to do?

It's pretty similar to emer with us as well. Every contract for the individual trades is signed by us as the builders. The architect discusses every detail with us before the final decision is made by us.

I would change the architect. Get informed about which documents you are entitled to because you have already paid for them. Go to the architect with someone accompanying you and have them handed over. Since you are still at the shell construction stage, much can be understood just by looking, so take stock. The interior construction phase makes the construction site more complex in many ways, and a competent architect or site manager should be on board. It can only get better.

Have you given the architect any power of attorney? Under what contract basis is he working? Is he already commissioned for all construction phases?

Regards klblb

.... My wife, as a lawyer, is currently finding out how we can hold him liable. But apparently it's not that simple....

Sorry, but a bit late - isn't it?

....What do you advise me?...

If the child has already fallen into the well, it is usually very tedious and expensive!
=> Pull the ripcord!!! A settlement is sometimes better than nothing!

....I started the construction with plenty of time and financial reserves, but slowly both time and money are running out....

With what financial reserve? Open planning is not a fixed-price offer and is merely based on a cost estimate!!!!
Especially clearly in the installation area (heating, domestic hot water, controlled residential ventilation). Neither architects nor construction managers/general contractors are properly trained here.
It is always baffling to me why builders forgo independent, external construction supervision. It surely can’t be because of the few euros involved overall; otherwise, the financial planning would be a disaster.

Best regards

Hello construction expert, I already contacted the [Architektenkammer] yesterday - let's see when we get a response. Yes, we knew that an architect can also be a bit more expensive. He assured us a margin of 5%. Currently, we are at 15% and rising sharply. Regards Roger

Hello Euro, how, with the information regarding liability, is it a bit late? Do you always do that beforehand before problems arise?

What exactly does pulling the ripcord mean? And how do you proceed then? I can hardly stop construction now and sell / demolish to start anew. What speaks against continuing to build? The house doesn’t have to be bad, at least I haven’t noticed any serious technical defects — except that it doesn’t quite meet the requirements. But the damage from demolition would be comparatively greater, right? The statement seems too general without having considered both alternatives.

Furthermore, you write that you don’t know why builders do without construction supervision. How, do I now have to pay an expert to supervise my expert? I know that well enough from the IT sector and there was always a suboptimal outcome because the experts didn’t find a common denominator. But please, I’m happy to take advice — only unfortunately there is no such clarification on the internet. Maybe that’s a reason why nobody does it? Please explain to me the benefit of this construction supervision, the approximate costs, and how to find a suitable construction supervision. Especially a clear cost / benefit consideration could convince many people, but as I said, I can’t find this anywhere ...

Roger

There are two options for me:

1. Stop construction, demolish, sell, etc. This means massive stress, costs, I still don't have a new house afterwards, and therefore costs for the old house, etc.

2. Continue construction, which also means costs, but afterwards I have a house...

Both alternatives are financially unpredictable for me, and at least for point 1, the consequences are unforeseeable. I generally prefer option 2, but I would somehow like the assurance that the path does not lead completely into oblivion. Would a second architect give me this assurance? Another expert to take a look?

Is there a third alternative?

Best regards
Roger

Hello Roger,

even though I am not addressed, I would like to respond here.

What, I now have to pay an expert to supervise my expert?

Firstly, "experts" are only human, and secondly, there are just as many good ones as bad ones.

I know this from the IT sector well enough, and it always resulted in a suboptimal outcome because the experts couldn’t find a common denominator.

With all due respect, that is not comparable. The IT field is still relatively young and is full of more self-promoters than elsewhere. I think I can assess this very well through my job. When it comes to house building, things are a bit different, also because reliable comparisons are possible.

But please, I’m happy to take advice – only unfortunately, there is no such information available on the internet. Maybe that’s a reason why no one does it? Please explain to me the benefits of this construction supervision, the approximate costs, and how to find suitable construction supervision. A clear cost/benefit consideration could convince many people, but as I said, I can’t find one anywhere...

That is not true.

Look at the forums, look at magazines like Wiso, go to consumer centers or energy agencies, to the Association of Private Builders, or even ask the Construction Protection Association, which I often criticize – everywhere the recommendation is for external construction supervision. Nowadays, it is so loud that it is hard to overlook/read.

I assume your wife, as a lawyer, has clarified the contractual side before you entered into the connection with the architect. But is she also able to check the tender documents? Does she know the requirements of the current state of the art/energy saving regulations/renewable energy heat law, etc.? Or do you? I personally find external supervision indispensable when building a house with a general contractor/general planner, but it should certainly not be missing when the architect is solely responsible as master!

I have – more or less from the accompanying circumstances – had a second line of business for 4 years; this mainly deals with the evaluation of construction documents and preliminary supervision *before* a contract is signed. You would be surprised what hides behind some nice wording or not; the layman usually does not recognize it. I always recommend subsequently commissioning an external expert to supervise the construction process; usually 5 inspections are enough; and always when a work can no longer be corrected later.

Since the term expert is not protected in Germany – for example, I am also an expert because I have been practicing my job for 18 years – a search is recommended, for example through the Association of Independent Experts. There you will find regional experts with different backgrounds but predominantly verifiable training; nothing like just passing a 2-hour seminar at the IHK.

My experience: no reputable architect, general contractor/general planner, or developer has objections to external supervision. On the contrary – there are people involved in building a single-family house, so it is in the nature of things that they make mistakes. The four-eyes principle is therefore very welcome. Costs start, at TÜV, at around EUR 3,000 and for experts depending on training and scope of contract at about EUR 3,000-3,500 and upwards.

Rhenish greetings