Ask the Architect

When you need to take charge

Posted

Q. We’re having problems with our contractor and architect. They don’t agree on things, and we feel like we’re stuck in between their disagreements over things like the size of our kitchen, the roof beams, etc. Other than getting rid of them, how can we make this work? We’re very far behind schedule, and the stress is just getting worse. Is there something we can do?

A. You need to recognize why this is happening and what each party’s responsibilities are. The first thing you should do is start with yourself. Analyze what you are contributing to the problem before trying to find the solution. So often I see where the owner makes assumptions that everyone knows just what to do and will just do it. If that were really the case, you could do what people did before there were licensed architects and engineers, building departments, building codes, or any laws to follow. You could make a sketch, talk to someone with tools and start to build.

Many of the greatest buildings constructed before the 1600s were built this way. But what people fail to realize is that those structures were built, then rebuilt, then altered again over several hundred years, by low-wage laborers who lived in mud huts. Many hundreds of people died when the great cathedrals of Europe had spontaneous roof collapses, which led to the reason for planning and engineering.

Not that your contractor isn’t a knowledgeable person, but consider that he isn’t held responsible by authorities if things go wrong — your architect or engineer is. So your contractor shouldn’t be dictating the structure, code compliance, space planning or physical building. If you enabled the contractor to take that control, then you allowed the problem to develop and you must stop it from continuing. If you failed to get the contractor and architect together and instead kept them apart, then you, again, enabled the wrong party, the contractor, to take authority that, by law, he doesn’t have. When communication breaks down or was never facilitated by you, the receiver of services, the consequences lead to what you described.

If you place more liability and responsibility on the architect or engineer by letting the contractor deviate from approved plans, codes or manufacturers’ product recommendations, you’re bound to see things fall apart. Building officials ask the architect or engineer to sign and seal letters of responsibility when they see problems, not the contractor, placing the burden of responsibility on the wrong person. Why would any professional want to write letters and take on the responsibility for someone else’s work? Would you?

What you have to do is take charge, whether you like it or not, to hear each one out and get them together. Discuss — specifically, not generally — your expectations and have each party acknowledge the other one’s role. This project is for you, not them. Use positive management to get everyone communicating as a team.

© 2017 Monte Leeper. Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.