DON’T USE ARCHICENTRE OR ACHITECTS FOR THAT MATTER

Archicenter is well known as a provider of advice to house buyers on hidden building defects. Indeed they had in my mind the image of a "consumer watchdog". This is the reason I went to them to provide an architect for some concept plans on a renovation and agreed to pay $1150 up-front - which I would normally never do. Silly naïve me.

The plan I received was completely unusable, superficial and unprofessional* compared to any reasonably public standard. Not only was the sketch free hand (which they claim is standard) but walls had been put in the wrong place and an existing chimney on the ground floor would have gone through the middle of a bathroom on the second floor.

I complained to the architect, Geoff Challis, by phone who would not discuss the project further without further payment. He claimed the plan was only a “concept”. In fact it was a fantasy. I left a phone message with Archicenter asking to discuss the project. They did not return my call but instead sent a form letter saying that they supported the architect - having never even heard my complaint!

Archicentre is not a consumer advocate. They are not in business to help anyone but themselves. They are a profit making company partly owned by the Architect’s professional body. I strongly recommend that nobody pay Archicenter, or any architect, upfront for plans unless they are feeling in a charitable mood.

In the end, I did my own plans for the renovations. Creative input from friends and family and careful consideration of the different options over six months led to a plan that is pretty optimal. It cost me $600 to get the plans drawn up. Simple. So here is some more free advice. Don’t bother with an architect. They are bloody useless and the cash register starts ringing from the moment they open their mouths!

*The service provided may well confirm to minimum legal standards of professionalism.