Pro Arkitects Reviews 7

Reply from Pro Arkitects

Sep 18, 2023

Dear Mr Steeles.
Thank you for taking the time to review us, and we are obviously disappointed that you have left us a 1-star review.

As you have alluded to, you have submitted a complaint which is ongoing, and therefore it would be unprofessional of us to comment in detail here. However for transparency for future clients, we will provide a brief response.

As you have stated, you had a consultation with one of our consultants, and they didn’t comment on budget or guarantee your project could be done within your budget. The consultant outlined our services and answered your questions. Following this, you appointed us to produce architectural drawings and seek planning permission. You were charged 40% of your claimed amount, and we proceeded to produce drawings to your satisfaction, and successfully gained planning permission for you. Our architectural technologist liaised with you throughout these stages.

After planning consent was granted, you were consulted regarding structural engineering, and quantity surveying & tendering. You wished to proceed with these additional services, and you were invoiced accordingly. Structural engineer’s design and calculation were sought and provided to you. These are required by Building Control, and will be needed regardless of who constructs the loft conversion.

Your project was quantity surveyed, and you had a meeting with our project manager to refine your requirements and finishing. During this meeting, you asked us to tender your project to contractors on our nationwide panel. This was done successfully, with two quotes being received during the tender period. We acknowledged that the quotes provided by contractors were above your budget, and have advised you accordingly on how to proceed.

We are disappointed to read your review, and are dealing with your complaint. Until your complaint is resolved, we feel it would inappropriate to comment further at this time. We note your observation of other disgruntled reviews, and we reassure all parties reading this that all negative reviews or comments have been investigated and any complaints resolved or settled. Following resolution, clients have been requested to update their reviews, however we acknowledge that some remain not updated.

Kind Regards,
Pro Arkitects - Design & Build Experts

Reply from Pro Arkitects

Jul 20, 2023

Dear Mr Bartley,

Thank you for your review and feedback. As you will be aware, this matter has been discussed at length following your planning application, and we are therefore disappointed that you have left a one star review. We are also disappointed that this review has been published 5 months after this matter was resolved.

Firstly, We would like to correct your false statement of paying £3500 for the architectural drawings. As you will be aware, you were invoiced £1474 (+VAT) for a 3D scan survey and production of architectural drawings for your project. You are aware that we have no control over planning fees and external suppliers. Accordingly, you were invoiced for the submission and handling of the planning application. Due to your site location, a nutrient neutrality assessment from a third party specialist was required by the council, and you were invoiced accordingly.

We dispute you accusation that our internal notes were lost. All notes taken during the initial consultation, and taken by the technician during the 3d scanning survey, are stored electronically, and your drawings were produced in accordance with these collected notes.
Following production of the initial set of drawings, your architectural designer sought further clarifications to refine your desired internal layout, ensuring you were 100% satisfied. After requesting several amendments, you confirmed your approval of the drawings. You were advised that following approval of the drawings, any further amendments or changes may be subject to fees.

During submission of your planning application, a technical error occurred with our system and the planning portal, resulting in the penultimate set of drawings were incorrectly uploaded and submitted with the planning application. This was immediately rectified by our team, with the correct final drawings being uploaded, and sent to the council and planning officer directly. Unfortunately, the council didn’t update their public planning portal, however you were advised of the glitch and that this had been rectified.

The planning officer contacted us to discuss your project and highlighted concerns, and this was relayed to yourself. The planning officer confirmed that both sets of drawings had been reviewed by herself, and that both the penultimate and final proposals would not receive officer support due to the extent of the proposed works, and the resulting impact on the host dwelling. We were therefore advised that the application subsequently would be recommended for refusal.
However, the planning officer provided the option of proceeding to receive a refusal decision, or withdrawing the application and revising the design/proposal. At your request, the application was withdrawn and you provided ideas and thoughts for an altered design. Your proposed ideas for a redesign were considered a change in the scope of works, and therefore you were accordingly provided with a quotation for proceeding.

As the application withdrawal was actioned upon your request, and the application had been validated by the council planning department, you were informed that no refunds can be sought from the council for the planning fees, and therefore you would be charged for a new planning application if proceeding to a resubmission.

Regardless of our discussions, advice and guidance of how to overcome the council’s views, you refused to proceed to take this on board and informed us that you no longer wished to work with us. You demanded a refund for our architectural services, and we informed you that a refund would not be possible in accordance with our T&Cs.

We are sorry to have received your review and feedback, especially given our previous communications to resolve this issue. We hope that this clarifies everything, however if you still have questions, then please contact us directly.

We look forward to being able to assist you with any future projects.
 
Kind Regards,
Pro Arkitects - Design & Build Experts