Advise needed re unprofessional Architect

crazy600

We engaged the service of an Architect Jan '07, from a recomendation, we were almost completely demolishing a 2 story semi and replacing with a 2.5 story of 3200sq ft high spec house, Arch fees were 10% of building cost (substancial amount), he engaged Engineers 4% of build.
Build estimates where crazy money, so we decided to do a self, build and engaged a project manager, proceeded with demolation, laying of founds and first rows of block work. - Then project manager left job (drink prob), and we were left high and dry!
Architect was doing big extension on his house and recomended the guy he was using, (I know, BIG Mistake).
This guy was given the quotation pack, made several visits to site, before he would comit to a price, then in Jan '08 he took over as contractor on the job.
Long story short, when rear roof was completed our eaves over hung the neighbours property, this was on the plans, but it was something I never noticed, and was never pointed out to me. - Subsequent legal battle with neighbours, who wanted us to cease work on the build straight away and would not allow us access on there property to remove the over hang and build a parapet wall.
The builder made this alteration from our property and charged us through the nose as he knew we had no alternative.
This should I suppose have been some indication of problems to come, but we pressed on, may little issues arose were the Arch, did seem to favour the builder in negoations, however the final straw was when the builder painted the exterior of the house with interior paint, and as I had told the builder the brand and colour of the paint the Architect said the builder could not be held responsible, and that it was MY MISTAKE!
At this point the build was almost finished and the Architect instructed us to pay balance of money due less 1/2 the retention, we decided at this point to try and deal directly with the builder as the Architect was not looking after our interests.
The Architect was payed in full in Nov'08 at which time he said he would issue his certificates when he had received all secondary certs, he then in April sent us a further bill for €1200 for signing 6 certs for stage payemnts during the build from our bank.
He is refusing to issue his certification until he recieves this, since then we have had some major plumbing problems, a 4" sewer pipe left with now cover and just tiled over in the downstairs wc, sewer pipe blocked because of cement and came up under the marble floor, (a smell that was there since Nov'08)
This guy is not a member of the RIAI so dont know what to do, we have had an Engineer out to snag the build and there was over eight pages of snags, the builder send a solicitors letter looking for payment, wouldnt accept our snag list, his solicitor apointed an Engineer who's snag list produced more snags than ours did!
Help, any advise you can give would be great

Builderfromhell

That's one hell of a horror story.
I can appreciate you posting here for informal advice and I'm sure writing it all down has helped you get some clarity in your mind.

It's obvious to me, and I'm sure the moderators will point this out, that you need legal advice. I don't mean legal advice from Boards.ie but from a solicitor who has some experience in this field.

There are a lot of crooked even downright evil people out there and to get justice will not be an easy path. Hopefully you will have the strenght to persevere.

muffler

As stated your only option is legal advice and we dont do that here.

Im sorry but the forum charter does not allow any form of legal discussion so I have to close this thread.