Architect Negligence Solicitors
Being an architect is a highly skilled job, and one that brings with it a huge amount of responsibility – and by association, no small amount of trust. If your architect has failed to deliver work to a legally acceptable standard, or has breached the conditions of an agreement they’ve made with you, you can find yourself dealing with a range of short-term and long-term consequences.
Any mistake by an architect – whether it’s the result of careless or deliberate recklessness – can be exceptionally time-consuming and expensive to fix. In the meantime, they can cause further complications, such as preventing you from using a space in your home or workplace premises when you might have otherwise expected to.
We understand exactly how stressful that can be here at Farleys, and know all too well how complex these cases can become. Whatever the background of your case, our professional negligence solicitors are always here to provide you with all the guidance, support, and tailored legal advice you need.
Fill in our contact form below, or give us a call on 0330 828 3987 to speak to one of our friendly solicitors today.
How we can help at Farleys
With more than 60 years of experience behind us, our professional negligence solicitors have a long history of helping to secure satisfactory conclusions for our clients. Architect negligence can be exceptionally frustrating when it has a knock-on effect on your day-to-day usage of your home or workplace premises, taking up even more of your time, money and energy as you’re forced to find temporary solutions.
We’ll always take the time to sit down with you and have a detailed discussion with you about your background and circumstances. From there, we can then explore the legal options available to you, helping you determine which one is best for you. At all stages, we aim to resolve professional negligence claims against architects as quickly and efficiently as we can, leaving you free to focus on the next stages of your project.
Can I sue an architect?
You can sue an architect if you’re able to prove that the level of service they provided fell far below the expected standards.
It’s important to note that simply poor service may not constitute negligence in itself – suing an architect is only a viable option if you have reason to believe serious misconduct has occurred.
Some of the most common examples of professional negligence from an architect may include:
- Providing misleading or inaccurate advice
- Preparing inadequate plans, or otherwise failing to prepare properly for the project
- Failure to properly oversee a project, including work by colleagues and contractors
- Going significantly overbudget
- Specifying the wrong materials
- Contractual disputes with other professionals, resulting in delays or financial loss for you
This isn’t an exhaustive list, but just a small sample. If you’re not sure whether your architect’s conduct meets the threshold for professional negligence, don’t hesitate to speak to one of our specialist solicitors, and we’ll be able to advise.
Contact a Specialist in Architect Negligence Claims
Wherever possible, Farleys will pursue your claim on a ‘no win no fee’ basis. We appreciate that any kind of legal case can often be stressful to navigate, and especially so with architect negligence if you’re prevented from fully making use of the property until it’s resolved. That’s why at Farleys we do everything we can to minimise that stress by providing a friendly, personable approach that’s free from unnecessary legal jargon – making it easier for you to get all the key information you need to make informed decisions about your case.
Whatever the details of your architect negligence claim, you can rely on us to handle your case with diligence, efficiency, and flawless expertise.
For free initial advice on pursuing a claim, feel free to get in touch with our architect negligence claims solicitors today on 0330 828 3987 or contact us by email to arrange an appointment.
[FAQs]
What is architect negligence?
Architect negligence is a term generally used to define exceptionally careless or reckless conduct (or misconduct) from your architect, that’s caused you palpable financial loss.
As we’ve touched on above, there’s a distinction between what may be classed simply as poor service, and what’s classed as actual negligence. Poor communication and minor delays are frustrating, but not uncommon. Negligence, however, applies to conduct which can have much more serious consequences, such as underlying issues with a building’s design, structure, or intended purpose.
This can have significant financial implications, and take extensive time to fix. In the worst-case scenarios, issues caused due to negligence may pose a danger to actual physical safety – such as if it’s left a building temporarily unsound.
Architect negligence is generally something that requires the expertise of skilled solicitors to prove, so if you think that yours has been negligent in the design, supervision or management of your building, and it’s caused you substantial financial loss, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team.
How long do I have to start a professional negligence claim against an architect?
Generally, you have six years to begin any claims against architects, starting from the date of the negligence itself, or the date that you suffered financial loss as a direct result. Similarly, the time limit for suing an architect for breach of contract is six years from the date that the breach occurred.
In rare circumstances, this deadline can be extended. For example, if the negligence (or consequences of it) were only discovered after the initial six years had passed, then according to Section 14 of the Limitation Act 1980, you may have grounds to bring a case within three years from the date of the discovery. However, this isn’t necessarily guaranteed. Whatever the background of your case, we’d recommend getting in touch with one of our professional negligence solicitors at the earliest opportunity, and we’ll be able to provide you with more specific answers.
How do I prove my architect has been negligent?
In order for your case to have the best chance of success, you will need to be able to prove three key criteria:
- Duty of care. The architect owed you a duty of care not to cause the type of harm suffered – such as financial consequences, or other significant impacts on your day-to-day life.
- Breach of duty. The architect failed to provide you with a standard of service that could reasonably be expected, constituting a breach of their duty of care outlined above.
- Causation. You suffered significant consequences as a direct result of their actions (or inaction). This is usually financial loss, but not necessarily – it may have also had an impact on business operations for example, or your sense of security at home or at work.
Why choose Farleys Solicitors?
Farleys Solicitors is a friendly, trusted, and straight-talking local firm with over 60 years of experience in serving clients across the North West as well as nationwide. Our solicitors draw upon a wealth of knowledge and industry-specific expertise in order to answer all of your most pressing questions regarding professional negligence.
At Farleys Solicitors, we know that every situation is unique. That’s why, in addition to advising you on the best course of action, we also tailor our services to meet your specific needs. We may even choose to take your case on a no-win, no-fee basis.
If you need to speak with one of our specialist professional negligence solicitors about any of our services, feel free to give us a call on 0330 828 3987, contact us using the online chat feature on our website, or email us at info@farleys.com. We’re here to help!