We are meeting with one this coming Friday and they did mention that a topological map would be good to have and we may have to have a survey to get that. We didn't do a separate survey when buying the lot from the full survey that was done. We didn't think a topological one existed, but just got one in the mail this week. Very timely as we can take that with us too.

I always provide the architect/designer with topographical survey. Since the architect says he went by the site, you would think he would have noticed the steep slopes. But since you say the results wouldn't have changed, you're not really out anything.

Thank you Lyfia. So, now that you have assisted with the terminology, I should rephrase my question to ask if it is standard operating procedure for an architect to request a topological map? And, if so, how critical is it to the final plans?

Teresa

An owner is normally responsible for providing a site plan with grade contours prepared by a surveyor. An architect shouldn't have to guess about grade changes.

If a site is unusually steep the architect should have told you he/she needed that information after visiting the site. Without it I don't know how the architect could have shown final grades on the plans, elevations, and sections. It's kind of hard to omit a level change that would require a $30,000 retaining wall.

At this point in a discussion about an architect, it usually occurs to me to ask if the so called "architect" was actually registered to practice architecture in your state? Was he/she asked to provide full services? Was site design by others? Was a structural engineer involved?

Our city won't issue a building permit without a topographical map of the property that extends a bit over onto adjacent properties.

Thank you everyone, and I was hoping Mightyanvil would also reply. Yes, the architect is a fully licensed architect, and was asked to provide full services. No site design was done until the County said to stop because of the grade. This happened on Day 1 of excavation. We attempted to work with the architect for about a week and then threw in the towel and hired a structural engineering firm with whom we could work directly. After the wall was built, fully approved and inspected by the engineering firm, we started on the house (again) four weeks after the original Day 1.

We have moved past it and our ICF walls are now finished and filled with concrete. Things should move quickly now. This input is helpful as I feel that we probably could not have known what was required. And, if this post helps others, with or without an architect, than that is a good thing.

Teresa