Architect Sign Off

pickle pants

Hi guys,

I'm just wondering if there is a legal requirement now to have an engineer and architect sign off on work. My architect is quoting roughly 3k to manage and sign off on the build but tbh I would rather manage it myself and save the money, as he has been a bit difficult to get in contact with at times during the planning process. I know that the engineer needs to sign off on the work and that's fine, just wondering if the architect needs to too?

Calahonda52

Pls explain the roles both have been engaged for by you.

pickle pants

Calahonda52 wrote: »

Pls explain the roles both have been engaged for by you.

The architect did the plans and applied for planning permission. I have also paid him to carry out PSDP so I'm not sure if this means I'd be better off just paying him to manage the build. The engineer is doing structural drawings, site visits and a sign off. Thanks.

Gumbo

pickle pants wrote: »

The architect did the plans and applied for planning permission. I have also paid him to carry out PSDP so I'm not sure if this means I'd be better off just paying him to manage the build. The engineer is doing structural drawings, site visits and a sign off. Thanks.

What are you building?
It appears you have no trust in your Architect based on your previous threads so why continue with them?
You should at the very least have a relationship with the person to have some form of trust.

Metric Tensor

Unless you know the building regulations yourself then you will need someone to check that the building complies with them.

This is usually the person that "signs off" on the build but the type of "sign off" required depends on if you are borrowing money to build it, who you are borrowing from, what type of building you are building and what type of commencement notice has been lodged for the build.

You haven't given enough information above for anyone to answer.

1. What are you building?
2. Has a commencement notice been lodged?
3. Are you borrowing money to build the building?

pickle pants

Gumbo wrote: »

What are you building?
It appears you have no trust in your Architect based on your previous threads so why continue with them?
You should at the very least have a relationship with the person to have some form of trust.

The thing I'm worried about is if I tell him I'm going to manage the build myself, he might not give me the PSDP work he has done already.

pickle pants

Metric Tensor wrote: »

Unless you know the building regulations yourself then you will need someone to check that the building complies with them.

This is usually the person that "signs off" on the build but the type of "sign off" required depends on if you are borrowing money to build it, who you are borrowing from, what type of building you are building and what type of commencement notice has been lodged for the build.

You haven't given enough information above for anyone to answer.

1. What are you building?
2. Has a commencement notice been lodged?
3. Are you borrowing money to build the building?

I assumed the sign off was mandatory regardless? The architect told me that PDSP was a necessity.

1. Extension and Renovation
2. I haven't decided on a builder yet.
3. No.

Bass Reeves

pickle pants wrote: »

The architect did the plans and applied for planning permission. I have also paid him to carry out PSDP so I'm not sure if this means I'd be better off just paying him to manage the build. The engineer is doing structural drawings, site visits and a sign off. Thanks.

If you have him paid to provide the PDDP,
Then he must provide it. I can see no reason the engineer cannot sign off as long as he understands he is signing off on everything from the start. He can then decide at what stages he needs to do site visits

pickle pants

Bass Reeves wrote: »

If you have him paid to provide the PDDP,
Then he must provide it. I can see no reason the engineer cannot sign off as long as he understands he is signing off on everything from the start. He can then decide at what stages he needs to do site visits

Thank you. From my understanding I needed both an architect and engineer to sign off but I assume the architect has been advising me poorly from the start, in order to charge me as much as possible.

Metric Tensor

PSDP is related Health and Safety legislation and is definitely mandatory. You'd be amazed at how many people don't realise this.

However, PSDP has nothing to do with "signing off" on a building for compliance with either planning or building regulations although both services are often provided as the one package by Architects, Engineers or other professionals.

Now to answer your question about "Sign off" - for some types of commencement notice it is not mandatory to obtain one at the end. For others it is mandatory. Most house extension projects chose a type of commencement notice that does not officially require a "sign off" at the end. You still have to comply with all the building and planning regulations of course.

Most banks look for a "sign off" when they provide funding for a project.

And most importantly for you - if you go to sell the house the purchaser will look for evidence that the work you completed was in accordance with the relevant legislation. This will be much harder to get in 10 years time than now!

Ask the engineer if he/she would be willing to provide certificates of compliance at the end and if so how much they would charge for this.

If the architect is paid to act as PSDP then let him stay in that role. It doesn't stop someone else from inspecting the project for compliance with the building and planning regulations.

Calahonda52

pickle pants wrote: »

Thank you. From my understanding I needed both an architect and engineer to sign off but I assume the architect has been advising me poorly from the start, in order to charge me as much as possible.

Where is the basis for this mind set?