We have had our loft converted which doesn't meet building regs...?

Question

We have had our loft converted into a bedroom, however the buliding inspector from our local authority has been to inspect (and to pass) the work. Annoyingly, he has not passed it because of fire regulations. There should have been a further wall on the ground floor to ensure a clear fire exit route. The plans our architect provided (the ones we and the builder have worked from) are incorrect in relations to the building regs. The local authority have a different set of plans (supplied by our architect) which DO meet the regulations, however we have never seen the correct plans - meaning our building work does not meet regulations.

Is the architect at fault, and if so, is he liable for any additional costs incurred due to the additional work (about £1000).

Thanks guys

Richard

Answer 1

who is responsible for you working from a different set of plans ?

it sounds like you and your builder should have worked from the plans that were cleared by the local authority,  not some other version that had incorrect spec. regarding the fire regs.

the architect is a bit of a muppet for supplying you with an incorrect set of drawings and not updating you with the latest approved drawings, but i don't think that it's his fault it's you and your builders fault for not adhereing to the approved drawings.

Answer 2

If it's the Architects fault that he/she did not supply you with up-to-date plans which you can prove, then you would have a claim against them. They should have public liability in place for such problems. They should count themselves lucky it's only a grand.

Answer 3

the builder should have known the regs and the architect should have given you the correct plans,let them sort it out between them and dont give them any more money

Answer 4

it is not clear exactly how the builder came to have the wrong plans so cannot be confident in answering your question.. it would seem that both you & your architect are partially to blame for the predicament you are in.

If you or the architect gave the 'wrong' drawings or instructed the builder to work from different plans from those that were passed by LA planning dept (and you did not know any different) then it is down to your architect.

if you allowed the builder to go ahead using these drawings, knowing they were not correct as to planning consent then you were at fault.

luckily it is only 1k you are talking about & not 10k

Answer 5

too right he's at fault make him fix it.

Answer 6

It depends if the architect gave the builder the unworkable plans or did the builder re-work it to benefit his budget, but yes both or one of them are at fault. My first approach would be to sit them down together and determine who is at fault and who is going to foot the bill to correct the problem. Maybe they can share the cost togather, see who budge if not get an Atty. to send a letter of intent to help with that budge.

Answer 7

A decision was made to use a different set of plans-the owner needs to ok any changes in using different plans.