Permits and our Architect

[Olivia Parker]

Architect charged us to expedite permits, soon after we found out that we were going to need to ask for variances on the project, despite him assuring us before purchase that we would be able to change from a single family to a duplex "by right". So we had to wait for a hearing on the variances, making the expediting mute.

He finally is resubmitting the plans to the city, following approval from the zoning comittee and he 's currently trying to convince us to change the application number to a net new project, rather than resubmitting under the original application we paid him to expedite. He indicated that the permits that were previously submitted were not self-certified- despite me producing proof of agreement and payment- and for this reason he recommends submitting plans under new application and the new application would be expedited. The contact in deptartment of buildings indicates that it is not possible to self-cert on this kind of project, period, at all.

My inital thought is it would be fastest to to just resubmit against the original plans as most of the rewiew has been approved, but it was a red flag to me and when directly asked whether the application was expedited he refused to answer and insists that new application will have the self-cert, but the building person to say its not even possible.

- shouldn't he know all of this?

- what would the motive be behind the recommendation to change?

He then offered a refund in full on the project when I continued to press the question. But at this point we are 10 months into what should have been a two month process and restarting, while tempting, feels impractical. Thoughts? Has anyone had a similar issue with a architect, especially in Chicago area.