Architect advice

[Jack757]

Just beginning this journey...

Is it normal for an architect that hasn't been been instructed to proceed with your job (just spoke on initial enquiry) to get an independent planning consultant involved and pass your details on for analysis?

This is sparking red flags for me!!! Right or wrong?

[Redbeard]

Your red flags could be justified or you could have a very helpful architect trying to 'get you ahead'. In the latter case the fault would be not to have explained that to you.

44 minutes ago, Jack757 said:

and pass your details on for analysis?

 

Not sure what 'analysis', but do you mean the arch has given your personal details to someone without your permission?

[-rick-]

Does your plot currently have planning? If not, I could imagine the architect having concerns about whether planning is feasible for the plot and asking a specialist about it before taking you on.

[Jack757]

4 hours ago, Redbeard said:

Your red flags could be justified or you could have a very helpful architect trying to 'get you ahead'. In the latter case the fault would be not to have explained that to you.

 

Not sure what 'analysis', but do you mean the arch has given your personal details to someone without your permission?

Yes. We only had an initial call as we are just beginning the journey, we have further architects to meet with. An external planning consultant at extra cost was mentioned in the pricing structure that was emailed after the call and she was cc into the email, of which she has replied and would look at any constraints and make a detailed analysis... We hadn't agreed to this nor accepted the architects quote!

[Jack757]

7 minutes ago, -rick- said:

Does your plot currently have planning? If not, I could imagine the architect having concerns about whether planning is feasible for the plot and asking a specialist about it before taking you on.

No planning yet. Planning shouldn't be an issue, seems strange someone external getting involved at the point of him quoting us before we have accepted. We are only just consulting various architects at the moment.

[Mr Punter]

The planning consultant could be a good call.  I have, in the past, instructed architects to design a scheme that did not gain planning consent, so quite a waste of time and money.

 

I would favour shortlisting a couple of architects and asking each to produce a sketch scheme for an agreed fee based on your brief and input from a planning consultant.

[ETC]

5 hours ago, Jack757 said:

Just beginning this journey...

Is it normal for an architect that hasn't been been instructed to proceed with your job (just spoke on initial enquiry) to get an independent planning consultant involved and pass your details on for analysis?

This is sparking red flags for me!!! Right or wrong?

Absolutely not normal. Check that he/she is actually an architect. https://architects-register.org.uk
An architect should agree with you the terms of the appointment before doing anything - this will include the extent of the professional services and the fees to be paid.

[Nickfromwales]

You should have selected an architect, then formally engaged, then they should have offered to connect you with trusted associates. Typically it makes sense to get a draft revision of your chosen plans for discussion and comment, before you ask a planning consultant to engage; if there’s nothing yet to review then they’re redundant.
 

Sounds like some backscratching, or over-enthusiasm to spend your money.

 

Time to see other people methinks, just not good behaviour.