Trying to understand the complete scenario, here's what I think I heard. You gave specs to the architect (person 1) but without you or architect knowing it, some of the specs given to you by the designer (person 2) were wrong but the architect did what you asked for based on the info given by you. Sounds like job complete, pay for that in full.

Later, you realized the plan was based on bad info. But since you provided that bad info to the architect you are effectively saying, "I want a change," and are asking to have it revised. This sounds like a request for a new job or at least, an addition to the original request. Architect didn't respond and never did any additional work. Nothing additional to pay here.

So you brought in another designer (person 3) to revise the architect's original work i.e. a new request for work. Pay person 3.

So IMO if what I have outlined above is correct, the architect did what you asked based on info you provided. You need to pay the architect in full for that work. You gave wrong specs to the architect. If anyone owes you anything, it's the original designer, person 2. Did you pay that designer anything? If so, that's who should reimburse you but after all this time, probably not going to get anything.

I actually did not pay person 2 (the original designer) because after she presented the incorrect design, we parted ways. You have a pretty good understanding except the architect was brought in by person 2 (the original designer) and her contractor husband who was going to do the work, but there were a ton of red flags and we ended up parting ways (that could be a totally different post!) So I think that because the original designer/contractor worked closely with the architect, they were going to get more of what they needed as the project went along. However, after we parted ways and I hired a new contractor and designer, both of them said they couldn't use the drawing and it was incomplete. So that's when I reached back out to the architect but never heard back. Even though the kitchen design was wrong, we were able to use the measurements to redesign it so I have no problem paying for the kitchen drawing, but personally I don't feel like I should owe the architect for a full floor drawing since we couldn't use any other part of it. Does that make sense? I'm also trying to get a gauge of what that would cost because $1750 seeems high to me.

10-12K for basic full home architectural remodel plans is on the low side. Under 2K is unheard of.

@User This was for one level and was virtually unusable. I literally ended up doing the measurements needed for my designer to actually be able to do a rendering. My current contractor showed me what the architect he works with does and it was more detailed for $400. Like I said, I have no idea what it should cost, but I just couldn't believe he came back to ask for payment after 8 months of not responding.

What was the architect's hourly rate or did you contract a flat fee? That is incredibly inexpensive, even at draftsperson rate, for a plan regardless of issues. If the contractor showed you plans done for $400, likely that person was not a architect. $400 is about two hours or less of work for a licensed architect. IMO, that's the first meeting. Not sure how you can do detailed plans for that price.

When I did a one floor remodel much like yours, I paid my first architect $5K for plans like that, not construction plans. Decided we were never going to have the same vision, so I changed architects. Total cost to her was around $15K but that included construction plans, not just design plans as you show above. And that was four years ago, before all prices went crazy!

@tozmo1 There was no contract. That's crazy! What area are you in? I'm in TN.

FYP....

"Always have the money discussion before providing services and get it in writing. In reality, the architect should be eating the $1750 for that lesson. We've all been there and ouch, it hurts but the architect should never make that mistake again."

In my state any work over $500 requires a written contract. The professional is responsible for providing said contract. Don't pay them if you feel they didn't provide the service they promised.

@tozmo1 Thank you very much for your responses! it is food for thought for sure. I’m not only questioning because it’s 8 months later. Like @ksc36 said, I’m hesitant because they didn’t provide usable material and did not respond when given the opportunity to complete the work. I believe that the architect was planning to continue to work with the contractor as we went along, but when we went with a different contractor, we were left without what we needed. IMO, an architect’s drawing should be usable by anyone working on the job.

Now I'm totally confused. Sounds like there's a new player in the mix, the first contractor. Without knowing what you asked the architect to deliver, I can't say if the work was usable or not. You said the dimensions were wrong but that was given to the architect by the designer you parted ways with.

There are many steps to a final drawing a contractor can use. What you have shown is a design drawing. That is the first step. No contractor can work off that because it doesn't have enough detail to pull permits. That's many steps after the design drawing and cha ching, more money to an architect or draftsperson who can do construction drawings. If I understand correctly and I'm not sure I do, no contractor could work with those plans because that was not the intent of those plans.

Again, no idea what the architect was told to produce so can't say if they met that expectation or not. I still think you owe him money.

"In my state any work over $500 requires a written contract. The professional is responsible for providing said contract. Don't pay them if you feel they didn't provide the service they promised."

In most states the statute of frauds only applies to real estate and goods. There is typically no memorialization requirement for services over $500, which an architect is.

I am reluctant to weigh in. Architectural works are copyrighted when created. You are not allowed to take one person's work to another person to finish without permission. So without really knowing to what extent the second person used the first person's work in their design, it is impossible to say.