When you contract with architect firms, you hope the process will be trouble-free and productive. Sometimes, however, things go wrong. Like any other industry professionals, architects come with various degrees of skill. You need to protect yourself in case of poor work on the part of your home architect.

Discussing disputes with your home architect should be your first course of action. The problem may be simple misunderstanding, and after discussing, the architect’s willing to remedy the situation. If so, you may not need to take extra steps. If talking fails to produce the desired result, you may have to protect yourself in other ways.

Architectural Services Agreement

The best way to protect yourself from architect problems is to have a well-worded and comprehensive architectural services agreement. Your contract with architect companies should provide as much information on your project as possible, including a detailed explanation of the home architect’s duties and responsibilities. The architecture services agreement should also document steps that architect and client should take in the event of a dispute.

Should a dispute over architect obligations make it to the legal system, the wording of the architectural services agreement will be very important. You may wish to have a lawyer review your contract with architect services to better protect yourself.

Protect Yourself: Choose a Licensed Home Architect

You chances of resolving home architect disputes are higher if you’ve chosen a state-licensed architect. Your state’s Office of Consumer Affairs may be willing to mediate your dispute. Licensed architects often belong to professional associations who may also offer mediation services.

Bear in mind that when both client and home architect agree to mediation, the results of mediation are binding. You may forfeit your right to take disputes to court if you enter into mediation with your home architect.

If mediation doesn’t resolve any problems with your contract with architect companies, you may have to bring legal charges against the home architect. Legal action should ideally be your last resort when dealing with home architect problems. A court case is both costly and time consuming, and you may find the court rules against you depending on the nature of the dispute and the wording of your architectural services agreement.

Protect yourself by taking precautions before disputes occur. Choose your home architect with care, check all credentials and references, and insist on a carefully worded architectural services agreement. A little caution at the beginning of your architectural project can save you frustration and money in the future.