Architect keeps giving us the run around what to due?

[Lucero Sanchez]

We are ready to start on making our goal of 12 years ago come true, to build our custom home mortgage free. We are just 1 tiny step away! But we have came across our first road block.

This is what is happening 12/3/15 we hired an architect that was referred to us by a real estate agent (which we do not know or have ever done business with, we got his number from a sign realtors put up on properties he sells acre lots and offers to design your custom home as well, his sign was up in the community where we bought our acre) so we called him and he told us of the architect he works with and who has done the design for the majority of the homes there, well they are beautiful homes so we called him up and met with him on 12/3/15 at his home office. Well long story short he asked for $1000 deposit leaving a balance of $2200 we gave him a check for the deposit, I asked him for an invoice and he hand wrote " $3000 plans $200 site $1000 deposit" on a plain white paper, I wrote in the check number with date. That's all he gave us and told us the set of blue prints would be done in 5 weeks.

01/5/16 I called him to check up on prints and he says " I haven't even touched them, I will have them ready for you next week". I said ok thinking you know the holiday and such.

1/15/16 I text him hows it going whats the status, he responds "love this floor plan will have it ready next week" I called him no answer and he did not return my call.

1/22/16 I text him what time can we pick up floor plans today, he text "I'll have them ready next week" I immediately text him "oh I thought you where going to have them done last week per your text, is there something wrong?" he did not text back or call me.

This guy has a professional website and has made floor plans for a few home owners in the community, whats going on?? I don't understand why he is doing this to us, We don't know what to do does anyone have some advise? 

[Caroline Hedin]

That's a steal of a deal for house plans!  Sounds like you won't really get any say in layout and finishes unless you make changes with the contractor you choose?  Are these permit ready drawings or just a design?  No contract?

I'm not a lawyer so take all this as just my own personal opinion - I'd head to his office.  If he's an architect, he's held to laws by the state licensing agency which you can also file a complaint with.  If he's not licensed (thereby NOT an architect), I'm not sure what your recourse may be.  If he has "AIA" or "Assoc. AIA" or really anything with "...AIA..." as a title, you can contact the local chapter of the AIA and ask them to speak with him.  As a professional organization, if he's a member, they can help hold him accountable by putting peer pressure on him.

Don't stop pushing and make sure you keep everything in writing.  I'd also ask for a contract.  If you want one that protects your interests, call your local AIA chapter and they'll help you determine which one you might use.