We instructed an Architect to extend to our semi-detached property. Someone came around to measure the site and then the Architect presented us with plans of the extension which left a 1m gap at the side of our property to a fence boundary with the neighbours for garden access.
When the builders came to plot out the extension they noted something was wrong with the plans as the side access left was not 1m as per the plans but only 600cm. We have had to leave a 1m gap at the side of the boundary as this is what we had planning permission for, however this has now left us with a reduction of 400cm inside the property effecting several rooms up and down.
The foundations have now been cast 1m away from the boundary. The Architect has stated that they would only take measurements to the boundary if they were building tight to it, otherwise where they were leaving a 1m offset they would not be measured and they would use the boundary provided by the Ordinance Survey map which they have always found to be accurate, but it appears not in this case, and the fence boundary is in the original position and has not been moved.
Thoughts?
JLC-1
May 8, 18 2:35 pm
get "someone who came around to measure the site" to explain
Non Sequitur
May 8, 18 2:51 pm
Typically, it is the client or property owner's responsibility to provide land survey plans to the architect. You can't expect the architect to go digging around and locate the legal property lines.
Where is this and are you paying your architect to oversee construction?
randomised
May 8, 18 3:16 pm
First, get your own measurements straight, 600 cm is 6m ;)
Bluefusion
May 8, 18 3:54 pm
Sorry meant 600mm and 400mm
randomised
May 9, 18 2:34 am
I figured :)
shellarchitect
May 8, 18 4:00 pm
thoughts -
the architect screwed up, but there is nothing you can do about it at this point. Your building is what it is allowed to be. If the architect had insisted that you hire a surveyor, you would have known what you would know now earlier, but the end result is the same.
I would expect the architect to revise his plans as needed based on the existing condition
randomised
May 9, 18 2:39 am
Maybe the fence is not placed according to the official ordinance survey and your neighbours put the fence 400mm on your property.
JonathanLivingston
May 9, 18 3:49 pm
Yeah I would look into this. Fences also have a tendency to move slowly downhill over time.
justavisual
May 9, 18 4:28 am
get a surveyor to confirm the actual boundaries of your property - what randomised says might be true...if youre lucky
citizen
May 9, 18 8:23 pm
^^^ This! Hire a damned surveyor and quit guessing!
Bluefusion
May 9, 18 10:16 am
Thanks everyone for your thoughts,
We had a look at our neighbours planning permission st our local council, they had a rear extension in 1984 and a side extension in 1988 and on both the boundary fence are in slightly different positions, This was so long before we moved in and have lived here for 10-years now so assume there is nothing we can do as too much time has past.
We have spoken to our architect and with loosing 400mm inside the property he has agreed to help replan the rooms and update the plans.
So once again thanks for your help.
randomised
May 9, 18 11:20 am
So, they basically stole your land one extension at a time, you're too kind :)
justavisual
May 9, 18 10:35 am
It doesnt matter what the drawings say - your council should keep digital drawings of property lines, which can then be geolocated on site. This is the actual boundary of the property, if someone has moved the fence to your detriment and their gain it should be moved back!
We instructed an Architect to extend to our semi-detached property. Someone came around to measure the site and then the Architect presented us with plans of the extension which left a 1m gap at the side of our property to a fence boundary with the neighbours for garden access.
When the builders came to plot out the extension they noted something was wrong with the plans as the side access left was not 1m as per the plans but only 600cm. We have had to leave a 1m gap at the side of the boundary as this is what we had planning permission for, however this has now left us with a reduction of 400cm inside the property effecting several rooms up and down.
The foundations have now been cast 1m away from the boundary. The Architect has stated that they would only take measurements to the boundary if they were building tight to it, otherwise where they were leaving a 1m offset they would not be measured and they would use the boundary provided by the Ordinance Survey map which they have always found to be accurate, but it appears not in this case, and the fence boundary is in the original position and has not been moved.
Thoughts?
get "someone who came around to measure the site" to explain
Typically, it is the client or property owner's responsibility to provide land survey plans to the architect. You can't expect the architect to go digging around and locate the legal property lines.
Where is this and are you paying your architect to oversee construction?
First, get your own measurements straight, 600 cm is 6m ;)
Sorry meant 600mm and 400mm
I figured :)
thoughts -
the architect screwed up, but there is nothing you can do about it at this point. Your building is what it is allowed to be. If the architect had insisted that you hire a surveyor, you would have known what you would know now earlier, but the end result is the same.
I would expect the architect to revise his plans as needed based on the existing condition
Maybe the fence is not placed according to the official ordinance survey and your neighbours put the fence 400mm on your property.
Yeah I would look into this. Fences also have a tendency to move slowly downhill over time.
get a surveyor to confirm the actual boundaries of your property - what randomised says might be true...if youre lucky
^^^ This! Hire a damned surveyor and quit guessing!
Thanks everyone for your thoughts,
We had a look at our neighbours planning permission st our local council, they had a rear extension in 1984 and a side extension in 1988 and on both the boundary fence are in slightly different positions, This was so long before we moved in and have lived here for 10-years now so assume there is nothing we can do as too much time has past.
We have spoken to our architect and with loosing 400mm inside the property he has agreed to help replan the rooms and update the plans.
So once again thanks for your help.
So, they basically stole your land one extension at a time, you're too kind :)
It doesnt matter what the drawings say - your council should keep digital drawings of property lines, which can then be geolocated on site. This is the actual boundary of the property, if someone has moved the fence to your detriment and their gain it should be moved back!