Not normal. Well sorry could be normal not acceptable. At the start of our relationship with our designer we had some timing and communication issues. We actually asked for a meeting to make sure we were all on the same page. So we sat down and talked about replying to emails and what would be reasonable on all sides, how long it would take for changes to plans to come back etc. And then we held them to it. That all said, if I had to go back again, I would likely have walked away and chosen someone different. Communication is so important in a good relationship. But it is also important to make sure your expectations aren't too much. I would call for a meeting ASAP.

I am checking my current projects to see if any of my clients have the first name "Nicki".

Haha Mark! You’re safe! So what’s your advice, as an architect?

Thank you AS. This sounds reasonable to me and something we haven’t done. I like setting some perimeters for both of our sakes. So how did you “hold them to it?” I get that things are crazy right now so we’ve tried to be understanding but I think we are now being taken advantage of. This project has been going on for some time now and its starting to feel like it’s never going to happen. Not to mention the price of lumber.... But once we get these drawings we can at least start getting permits and quotes.

We actually agreed together on what the maximum time between designs would be an how long we could each have to respond to emails. We said that if during the process either side didn't hold up their end as agreed upon then we could part ways.

Keep pestering them. a squeaky wheel gets the grease. It is very easy for an architect to fall behind schedule.

Dear LakeHouse 44,
How did things work out?