Roof renovation with an architect - how do I get my renovated roof

Hello,

we are planning a roof renovation and recently had an on-site meeting at the end of May with an architect and the executing carpenter. Prior to that, the architect had created an offer for the planning services, which we accepted at the beginning of the year. In the meeting, two options for renovating the roof were discussed. One of them leads to no external changes to the house, the other does (but this one would probably be the better option). To estimate how much the exterior appearance changes, it was agreed that the architect would create a drawing showing the changes. He estimated a timeframe of 2 weeks for the creation. After 4 weeks, we followed up for the first time. After many calls, some of which ended with the secretary, written inquiries, and finally many calls to get him on the line personally, we have now received a drawing. However, this only shows the option that does not affect the exterior appearance. So unfortunately, I cannot do anything with this. How would you proceed now? We have arranged a personal meeting at his office for next week.

Some background info: The renovation is very complex, we have already asked 2 other architects, none of whom were really interested. The renovation was originally supposed to take place this fall but now should be at the latest in spring.

As an alternative, I can now imagine asking him again what the issue is. And above all, this time we must agree on firm deadlines. I do not want us to wait another 4-5 months and then miss the start again (the renovation can only be done in spring or fall since the roof will be open for a long time). Or we part ways immediately, because obviously, he is not really interested. But then the question arises again where I can find someone who can help me, since he would also have to supervise the renovation on-site and therefore come from the region. And how I can even terminate the contract or how much money he wants for his unusable drawing.

or how much money he wants for his useless drawing.

Your post is unfortunately not much better either: we have to guess what it might be about. Roof renovation and architect do not really belong together at first. The assumption (but you haven't really made us aware of it yet) is obvious, 1. that it probably concerns a flat roof and 2. that it should (version appearance almost unchanged) only be renovated and (version appearance significantly changed) converted into a pitched roof (and possibly even used, and get additions). Maybe you could also illustrate the post with pictures of the current state and what exactly the triggering damage is.

Your post unfortunately isn't much better either: we have to guess what it might be about. Roof renovation and architect don't really belong together at first. The assumption (but you haven't really made us aware of it so far) is close to 1. that it is probably about a flat roof and 2. that it should (version with almost unchanged appearance) only be renovated and (version with significantly changed appearance) converted into a pitched roof (and possibly even used and given structures). Maybe you could illustrate the post with pictures of the current state and what exactly the triggering damage is.

Hi, why is it even relevant what exactly is supposed to be done? I have a serious defect and it should be eliminated. One way is by covering the current materials, improving the connections, and correcting the wrongly used materials, and option 2 is a "second" roof frame where the height would then change somewhat. I didn't want to go into more detail on this among other things because, as I said, the topic is complicated and I could probably write pages here explaining why it is like this.

Option 2 was suggested by the architect himself with the note that then we could be completely sure to solve problems like soundproofing, etc. However, as I said, the height of the house would then change, which I wanted visualized. I don’t want the renovation to be immediately visible from the outside, because there would also be the possibility to take measures from the inside and at the same time from the outside. It is a roof frame with external roof insulation.

So I can gladly go into more detail, but honestly, I thought it was more about: contract awarded, work done off assignment (topic missed), and how to proceed now.

The fact is, without an architect it won't work, it's too complicated for the craftsman to just do it like that.

Our appointment that we were supposed to have today was changed by the secretary from an in-person meeting today to a phone call tomorrow. So I’m already dreading the whole thing again. Everything we have had to go through at the construction site, by now I just want a new roof and peace. I can’t understand how I can accept an order if I have no desire or time for it. Someone have an idea how I can get out of accepting the offer for the planning service now and how we can then agree on a payment? Can he then charge for hours since he did make a drawing? We can then also argue again about how much that was.

Just one comment: Changes to the building volume always require a building permit application, which I would take into account in the scheduling.

With the sparse information you otherwise provide (unclear where exactly the problem lies, etc.), it is otherwise difficult to give advice.

Just a comment: Changes to the building volume always require a building permit, so I would take that into account in the scheduling.

With the sparse information you provide otherwise (unclear exactly where the problem lies, etc.) it is otherwise difficult to give advice.

What exactly do you need from me?

I have commissioned a planning service and unfortunately I am currently not receiving it.

The architect wrote the following offer, which I accepted:

"Based on the inspection, the cause of the damage will be presented and the description/presentation of the renovation proposal.
20 engineer hours and 10 draftsman/technician hours."

The offer is dated 10.3.23, the inspection was at the end of May and so far I have only received a drawing that essentially sketches the current structure of the roof and next to it says: Replace Perlite and re-brick so that vapor barrier can be connected, connection not compliant with regulations.

As described above, however, we agreed during the inspection that he would show us what option 2 (second roof frame above the existing roof frame) would look like and send us the drawing within 2 weeks.

My problem is therefore that the agreed drawing has not yet been received, or was probably not created at all. So I cannot make my decision whether to implement option 1 or option 2.

The building volume does not change due to a new roof.

The architect’s secretary had promised us to set up a web appointment for tomorrow instead of today’s personal appointment. So far we have received nothing.
I feel like I’m being made a fool of.

How can I cleanly withdraw from accepting this offer now? Or do I have to wait forever plus three days until he finally carries out the order? Is it enough to set a deadline and, if it expires, to "withdraw" the acceptance?