CHARTERED ARCHITECTS

EXPERTISE IN CONSTRUCTION LAW

Construction Dispute Resolution & Expert Advice

Undertaking a building project is fraught with risks. From choosing the right suppliers to making sure everything is covered in the contract, there is plenty of scope for things to go wrong.

And when they do? It can be hard to know how best to put them right. Particularly when high emotion is involved, relationships break down and costs appear to be spiralling out of control.

We offer advice and guidance on a range of different options when it comes to construction dispute resolution.

Whichever side of the argument you’re on, We will help to work out the facts of the situation, make sense of the law and help you to reach a fair resolution. So, you won’t be left out of pocket.

Find out more about our construction dispute resolution services:

An independent architectural assessment could help you make a decision about what to do next.

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If you don’t want the cost, time and publicity associated with formal legal proceedings, arbitration can be a less stressful way of dealing with a construction dispute.

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Adjudication mid-project can ensure work does not simply stop. An adjudicator must reach a decision in 28 days.

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If you’re faced with a construction dispute that you’re unable to resolve with the other parties involved, an expert can help you to better understand your case.

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Working in association with Apex Architecture the architectural service experts.

How Smartarch has helped:

Expert Witness

School governors:

Dispute relating to roofing on school extension in Surrey. Following impasse between school’s roofing expert and the defendant architect’s expert, produced a short report and met with opposing architect expert. Case subsequently settled.

Professional indemnity insurers:

Report on £1M claim against architects in NI regarding residential development on exposed site on top of existing multi-storey car park. Issues related to water ingress and flat roof waterproofing. Visited site, met with Claimant’s expert. Dispute settled prior to trial.

Design and build contractor:

Report on £4M claim against design and build contractor on hotel refurbishment project in Central London. Met with Claimant’s experts. Attended CMC hearings in TCC. Case settled by insurers following liquidation of contractor.

Partners in dental practice:

Report provided relating to defective design and inadequate contract administration on new build dental surgery in Devon. Attended mediation and dispute subsequently settled.

House owner and architect (Single Joint Expert):

Joint instructions given in relation to defects on private house in West Wales. Report prepared and issued to parties, after which case settled.

Main contractor:

Report on defects in new-building in Dorset where sums were being withheld by Employer and the Defects Liability Period provisions had not been correctly administered. Contractor went into administration and claim being pursued by building owners against architect.

Developer:

Advice and report to developer regarding architect’s defective design of new build residential flat development in South Wales. Litigation ongoing.
Professional indemnity insurers Report provided in connection with claim of negligent design against architects regarding conversion of commercial premises in North London into flats.

Private client:

Works carried out in liaison with Building Surveyor to extend Listed flat into under road vaults. Works carried out without LBC. Advice and report given regarding failures of Building Surveyor. Litigation underway.

Private client:

Celebrity client’s refurbishment project in London had vastly overrun and overspent. Prepared report which identified many shortcomings in the consultant team. Claim of £1.5M. Attended multi-party mediation at which dispute settled.

Providing Architectural services in association with Apex Architecture

From the largest developments to the smallest of internal changes, we seek out the architectural opportunities and work tirelessly to design something special. So, whether you’re creating the forever home you’ve always dreamed of, or a commercial project that’ll set the balance sheet alight, you can be sure your investment is in safe hands.

Find out more at www.apexarchitecture.com

Here is a selection of some completed and ongoing projects.

Featured

Amoreira, Blackheath

The proposal was to provide a family house on a generous plot, enhanced by landscaping both surrounding and integrated into the built form itself. It was our aim to create a stylish new addition that further enhances the rich architectural offering of the area.

Failand, Bristol

A strong relationship with the garden has been achieved at this house in Failand, Bristol. The addition of a single storey garden room/orangery has created a generous and light open-plan living space.

Old Gate House, Highnam Court, Gloucester

A sympathetic timber extension to a stone built Victorian Gothic, grade 2 listed building, originally designed by Augustus Pugin's assistant, at the gate of the church at Highnam. Pugin himself designed the church at Highnam and is most famous for his designs for the Palace of Westminster.

Spa Road, Gloucester

Award winning block of 13 flats, built in a conservation area in an historic part of Gloucester, close to the ancient dock with it's waterways museum and shopping centre. We worked closely with Gloucester Council's urban design team, which led to a modern building in contrast to the adjacent listed Georgian architecture. We are proud to have been awarded a Civic Trust Award for 'Best New Building' for this design.

Bermondsey, London

Nearing completion is this mixed use development of flats, houses and commercial units in Bermondsey. It's all about the details! Shiny brass planters will add a bit of bling and concrete panels some decorative texture to each of the 10 new dwellings.

GRAHAM TERRACE, CHELSEA

Mansard roof extension and internal alterations.

HUMBER ROAD, GREENWICH

Rear extension and internal alterations.

Construction Dispute Resolution & Expert Advice

Find out more about our construction dispute resolution services:

How Smartarch has helped:

Here is a selection of some completed and ongoing projects.

We are based in Bath