If I hired a design firm to design and provide me with architectural plans but the plans did not comply with city code, can I recoup some of my money/
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If I hired a design firm to design and provide me with architectural plans but the plans did not comply with city code, can I recoup some of my money/
I hired a design firm to design and provide me with architectural plans for my house. I received an email with an estimate and an attached proposal, with the statement that the proposal would become a contract if I excepted it. It’s signed and I believe dated by designer. It contains a list of tasks the designer would accomplish and how much for each task. One of the task states I will complete working set of plans. He has a he has a guarantee on firm website that says his plan will comply with codes.
Asked on August 10, 2012 under Business Law, Washington
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
From what you write, the design firm appears to have breached the terms of the contract (which would incorporate the guarantee, as well as the specific obligation to create a "working" set of plans); that breach would provide grounds for you to seek monetary compensation, such as an amount equal to the cost to have another firm bring the plans into compliance with code (or any other cost you have incurred due to the failure to be code compliant).
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