building certificate

malone123

Hi, I'm hoping someone can offer some advice. I'm buliding an extension at the moment and a friend drew up the plans and submitted and we got the permission so we ploughed ahead with the self build. We got loan approval for the top up mortgage and are just about to draw down the first installment. The bank sent me out the building certificate to get signed by an Architect/Engineer/Building surveyor but since no one was there at the pooring of the concrete i'm finding it difficult to get someone to complete this form. We never knew we needed someone to supervise this as we were building direct labour. Does anyone know if a project can be taken on mid build?

Thanks

sinnerboy

Possibly yes . But you may have to uncover works for inspection .

RKQ

Common problem. Best to get the loan before work starts, then you know whats required. I'd agree with Sinnerboy but it will be a very difficult task.

Did you take any photos of foundation tranches, conc pour, floor construction?

The Architect / Engineer / Technician etc will have increased liability as they will be certifying works unseen - not very professional and rarely worth considering. Prepare to have parts of the construction drilled, uncovered, or dug up etc

fadman

Hi,
I built and completed my house in 2002 and am now selling it. The architect was fully paid up at the time but never issued the completion certificate. He now wants E600 to issue the completion certificate. Am I missing something here. His original price included site visits,certificate of compliance, stage payments etc.
Thanks

RITwing

As you tell it you are hard done by here.

fadman

Any idea what the cost should be. I thought it would just be a nominal fee if any.

RITwing

Not nominal if he has to retreive files from archive and now make a site visit 12 years after the fact. In which case €600 is about right.

However if he was paid in full as you say and there are no other complicating factors then he should bear some of the cost.
Say 50% discount.
I think in fairness you share some responibility for not chasing this down at the time.

fadman

Thanks,
Went through some old paperwork and found a letter from my solicitor requesting completion cert in 2002, which he never sent on. I am aware I bear some responsibility for letting it go so long, but if it was requested by solicitor in 2002 and he never sent it on surely its now his responsibility.

BryanF

fadman wrote: »

Thanks,
Went through some old paperwork and found a letter from my solicitor requesting completion cert in 2002, which he never sent on. I am aware I bear some responsibility for letting it go so long, but if it was requested by solicitor in 2002 and he never sent it on surely its now his responsibility.

Have you spoken to him? What was the response?

RITwing

fadman wrote: »

Thanks,
Went through some old paperwork and found a letter from my solicitor requesting completion cert in 2002, which he never sent on. I am aware I bear some responsibility for letting it go so long, but if it was requested by solicitor in 2002 and he never sent it on surely its now his responsibility.

I do sympathise. 600 euros is a lot of money to pay because someone else was not diligent. But it is not a lot of money to make a sensible legal case imo. Your best bet may yet be pay him and damn him

No6

Are you sure you actually payed your Architect, I had several people over the years who on the advice of their solicitor didn't fully draw down the mortgage, therefore not triggering the bank to look for completion certs and avoiding an invoice from me!! However following the crash the law society audits and the banks forced solicitors to settle these accounts and my paperwork didn't go out until i got paid.