Planning & Construction drawings

Duke77

Hello
I recently prepared a set of planning drawings for a friend, for a small 20m2 extension. They recieved planning permission and have commenced working on the project.

The problem I have is, the planning drawings have just the basic specification. The builder has started working using these drawings, and I am concerned, as just out of curiosity I called round the other day, and noticed a few errors in his work. I was told by both thee client and builder that they would be ok, after i suggested preparing working drawings.

As i say i am concerned at where i stand, if something major goes wrong? Any advice?

con1982

Were you employed to prepare planning drawings only or did you sign up to provide a full construction design package?

If it's the first one, you need to write to the client and advise them to hire a professional to compete the design.

If you have signed up for the whole package, you need to tell the client that planning drawings are not for construction and you will issue a full construction set asap. You should do this in writing and advise them to cease on site works until the design package is issued.

If you do nothing and you know what is happening on site, you are open to litigation.

con1982

I understand the client is your friend and it complicates the matter. Never work for friends or family. It's not worth the hassle.

Duke77

Thanks very much for your reply. Yes I agree totally, never do work for friend, as it will bring nothing but grief. Will inform him immediately about the errors I found. I also went through this last week with the builder and handed him a quick sketch there and then, he still paid no heed, has bulled on with the work.

Gumbo

Report to Building Control?

BryanF

Duke77 wrote: »

Thanks very much for your reply. Yes I agree totally, never do work for friend, as it will bring nothing but grief. Will inform him immediately about the errors I found. I also went through this last week with the builder and handed him a quick sketch there and then, he still paid no heed, has bulled on with the work.

I've had this situation more than once.if you do planning drawings for friends. Do nothing more. advise him that he needs independent advice. because you don't have PI insurance.

BryanF

con1982 wrote: »

I understand the client is your friend and it complicates the matter. Never work for friends or family. It's not worth the hassle.

Amen

witzky

Hi OP，you should always have a disclaimer on your planning drawings- these drawings are for planning permission only，these drawings are not issued for construction. Something along those lines.

I've completed many planning permissions a number of years back，builders would frequently call me with minor issues，id just refer them to the note.

Duke77

Drawings are stamped with "planning issue only" The builder just hasn't got a clue to be honest. The usual aul crap too from them, that he knows better etc, that he has been on more sites than me...blah blah..

sydthebeat

Duke77 wrote: »

Drawings are stamped with "planning issue only" The builder just hasn't got a clue to be honest. The usual aul crap too from them, that he knows better etc, that he has been on more sites than me...blah blah..

Let him sink in his own hubris then. Just make it 100% clear to the client that the drawings were never produced for tender or constitution.

Metric Tensor

sydthebeat wrote: »

Just make it 100% clear to the client that the drawings were never produced for tender or constitution.

In writing!

And by registered post if you can.

bemak

BryanF wrote:

I've had this situation more than once.if you do planning drawings for friends. Do nothing more. advise him that he needs independent advice. because you don't have PI insurance.

I do work for friends but only up to planning. I'm very careful to state on the drawings that they're are only for the purpose of planning and not construction drawings. I think once you state this early on and have a record of it you can't do much more, particularly if you agreed that this was the agreed scope. If they decide to plough on and construct it from the planning drawings that's their risk, don't get involved. As soon as you start to, you make yourself liable.

Duke77

Thanks for the replies.

Builder never bothered to put mesh in foundations

sydthebeat

Duke77 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies.

Builder never bothered to put mesh in foundations

Get him off the site straight away

bemak

sydthebeat wrote:

Get him off the site straight away

Don't get involved!!

Duke77

Yes, not getting involved. I mentioned to friend about considering employing a new builder. I'm not a structural engineer, with no mesh in footings, realistically could foundations fail? They are to correct size, il give him that!