Hi. I am a remodeler, and here's my story.

Late last spring I chose a design/build firm based on reputation - they worked on dozens of houses in this neighborhood, and the neighbors love them. Since then we paid about 2k to work on plans for adding about 1000 sq feet to a 2000 sq ft home. The concept plans are settled overall, but the paperwork is riddled with issues.

Meanwhile, the architect is lousy. I planned the kitchen, and the over garage, and the back patio, and DH planned the master suite layout. We had to give her sketches. She built over a B vent, she forgot to put in the extra thickness for foundation walls, she refuses to believe that my garage window is 4 foot wide, not three foot. She did a spec sheet that is missing a window, it differs from the plan in whether we get new shingles on the front porch, etc etc. I asked the GC to replace the architect; no go.

And every time I point out a mistake, the price jumps $15k. I did sign an agreement not to shop these plans to other builders.

The first bank didn't seem to care, because it's all variable anyways. We are trying a second bank, and they say the next step is a contract with the builder, contingent on financing.

I'm thinking about getting my own architect to draw essentially the same plans, but with electrical and HVAC plans. I can take them back to the builder for bidding later, and if nothing else, maybe get a price break.

It would be a delay, and a cost, and maybe the first step to a breakup with the builder I like. I thought I liked. I wonder if I would be in trouble if the new plans look like the old plans, and then I shopped the new plans.

What would you do?