If you have a contract, does it have a termination clause? How is the compensation clause written? Does it include construction phase services?

The drawings technically belong to the architect unless the contract says otherwise but in the case of a renovation where they are unlikely to have value to anyone other than you, he might settle for being paid for his work so far.

You might talk to another architect but you shouldn't hire him before settling with your current architect. Finding another architect might be difficult if there is little work left to do so don't burn your bridges yet.

I can't say more without more information regarding your contract.

First, are you sure that you are working with an architect? Not s drafter?

Second, what is the program? What is the oveeriding goal? To stay within budget? Or to get all of your wants? We’re do needs rank? Have you separated wants and needs? Are your needs, wants, and budget actually realistic?

JDS: The termination is pretty simple. "This agreement can be terminated at any time with the amount due being the fee accrued to date." He has essentially completed 2 phases agreed upon, ...design and construction documents. And may be partly why communication has dwindled. Basically we have to pay him either way. There is no clause on ownership of the documents anywhere in the contract.

Sophie: He is an architect. I would like someone who can help us get through this project with the most complete details and as close as possible to what we want (of course within budget - which we have some flexibility on if we know how changes may affect it). I don't feel that has been well-executed thus far and I'm to a point where I am over it. Like many homeowners, this is our first time taking on a project like this and we don't want just "good enough" if there is a better way to approach it. Needs and wants have been discussed. I think the main issues arise when things that were not initially considered are radically changed or omitted to accommodate a request, but not brought to our attention. For example losing significant storage space, or losing or adding a window, which lead to significant changes in the elevation. He is the expert, not us. And he has to communicate those same issues to us, just like we communicated the needs and wants to him. So I am a bit frustrated.

If you are willing to pay him for the work done so far, the only issue is use and ownership of the drawings.

Copyright law give an architect a copyright for anything he draws unless he is an employee which is not the case. What you own is essentially a license to use the drawings for one project and to copy then as needed for that purpose. What is unclear is whether or not someone else can modify them and put their name on them.

I would suggest discussing the possibility with him but that might be a good idea if communication is poor. But if he has lost interest in the project and doesn't mind forgoing construction phase services (is it included in the contract?) he might transfer ownership of the drawings to you.

How much would the final settlement be? If its a large amount, you would have more leverage.

I'm an architect, not a lawyer, but I did this recently and was happy to get free of the project and get paid. If you want more information you could send me a message.

Very good point but I think the OP is planning to hire another architect. What might become the biggest problem is the time it takes to make the transition and give the contractor the final design.

I can't comment on that because I know nothing about the project and its current status.

JDS, you are correct! I’m advising her to toughen up and be direct. It may have been her comment of asking her busy-at-work husband to deal with him. As the person who probably cares the most about the outcome of this project, she needs to be willing to assert herself. I hope that makes sense.

I agree and I would not give up on this architect unless it becomes impossible to get the project designed right.

I think my expectations were definitely higher than they probably should have been for this business, but I guess that is the way I approach any service when I hire a professional. While I don't need hand holding, I just need to effective and timely back and forth communication so that I know what I need to do to move the project along. It's not so much the design as this it's about the disconnect and lack of trust that I feel with the individual. We have had many in person meetings as well. This is my home. I want to love it. I am taking all of this into account with the contractor selection process. Which makes me even more nervous than the architect situation when you hear all the horror stories out there.

In what part of the world is the project located?

Have you ever posted the drawings to get help on this forum?

Your points are well taken. I will consider your suggestions about being more assertive with him. Thank you!

Marcy,
On the plans you’ve posted on previous threads, is your master bedroom toward the back or front of the house?

I'm in

I'm in NJ. I have posted drawings before on the site. My master is toward the front of the house.

Please provide a link to your earlier posts.

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5215575/laundry-master-bath-and-master-closet-renovation-input-requested

Here is the link to one of the posts with floor plans.

So, a 300K+ budget is what you are actually expecting to spend? Because otherwise, there’s more than a disconnect with an architect here over this project.

I don't mean to be critical or disrespectful but, to an architect, juggling closets and bathrooms in a rectangular box can be more challenging than designing a whole house. I've been an architect for 50 years and I couldn't get through all of the options because it seemed like each one had a slightly different program which creates too many variables. And I couldn't think of any architectural ideas that might help organize such a variety of elements. I would not be surprised if the architect has just lost interest.

I would not approach this design in this way. I would diagram the spaces and find where they would be best located, then fill in the details. It would involve a hierarchy of design steps that would lead to one solution instead of five.

I understand that this design is important to you but it seems more appropriate for an interior designer. You could hire one without terminating the architect. I suspect the architect might be grateful.

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5215458/kitchen-layout-please-help

Here are the proposed first floor changes.

JDS: I respect and understand your point. However, as I mentioned this is not all about the design at this point. It's also about progressing to getting this project completed. We have been waiting a couple months now for the basement plan as one other example. I have been more than reasonable about his time and skill and have not asked for any frivolous changes. For example, from my previous post, I was pondering these designs myself and never discussed these with him. A decision I made because I was not happy with the alternatives I came up with. And no disrespect to the architect profession, but in my profession, when my patients aren't easy or indecisive or whatever may be deemed undesireable, I don't just lose interest in them and stop responding (even when I want to). So whatever the reason I think it is unacceptable and up to the professional to communicate what he/she can and cannot do for the client.

Oh, and I have an interior designer, brought on later on, maybe mid project. Trust me their ideas would definitely be more work for the architect. And the architect has made it clear that he is not excited about working with them.

Marcy,
I am not a pro, but I did build a home a few years ago. A home we once purchased had a very similar layout as yours; it’s called a salt box in our area. With the central stairway, it really does limit your options. Only you can determine what’s right for you, depending on your reasons for renovating, area housing prices, and renovation budget.
Now, here comes my opinion, if I did a renovation, I would probably opt to keep it in one area of the rectangle, like the proposed “A” version. Or consider incorporating/losing the dining room to reconfigure the entire kitchen, eating area, mud room, and powder room. In my area, any of these changes would not be financially wise, it would be wiser to sell and move, or redecorate to better enjoy your home.
I don’t feel anyone intends to be hurtful in any way, and understand your wish for great customer service. I think you’ve arrived with a very limiting wish list and constrained floor plan, and may have been better served to ask, “What would you suggest to improve my home’s function?” You kinda seem to want a different house and are frustrated with the limitations.

Curlycook: I think you are right about a lot of points. I am beyond frustrated. I may need to explore other simpler options.

I really appreciate this discussion and everyone's input, by the way. You have definitely given me some things to think about moving forward. It's difficult trying to complete a project like this when you feel like you are own your own. I will definitely reach out today to the architect to discuss the communication issue for starters.

JDS, I actually like how you said you would approach the design process...perhaps that is part of the problem from the design standpoint.

Hi, Marcy,

I'm sorry for your experience. You should never feel like you're going it alone when you hire a design professional. If your architect hasn't proven to be a good communicator during design, I suggest it's not going to get better during construction when even more folks are involved.