I'm sold on the idea of retaining an architect and structural engineer during a self build
In an ideal world, it would be great to have an architect and structural engineer on site at all times during a build, to iron out any problems before they happen, to supervise everything in real time.
But in the real world, architects and structural engineers come at stages during the build, and it might be too late to iron out mistakes which were made (or indeed hidden by the builder)
I was watching grand designs recently, there was an hands on architect who was helping to get the house airtight by rolling up his sleves and applying some membrane and at the same time closely supervising the other builders, I'd love to employ an architect like that.
But the question I really have is what are the key moments in a build where an architect / structural engineer need to on site supervising the build.
Well done on thinking of using the appropriate building porfessionals - but a word of caution about how they interact with the job.
There is a difference between being diligent and attending frequently[and in my case taking lots and lots of record photos] and being "hands on".
I studied for my qualification as an architect at Bolton Street DIT and there were close links with the Linen Hall, the School of Trades.
The architecture students were requried to learn the basics of some trades relating to their profession.
I did carpentry, sand casting (!) and brickwork.
While my timber joints stayed together and my sand-casting - against all the odds - was quite good, the archway was, how shall I put it - "baroque" - less "segmental" and more sag-mental, if you will.
Although it *did* stay up!
I can still hammer a nail, mix mortar and concreate, and lay blocks and paving - all of which I've done around my own home at one time or another.
But that's not the same as producing skilled work comparable to that done by a competent tradesmen.
For that reason I embraced the tradesman's motto:
"Stick to what you're good at."
I advise you to retain a competent architect who does the same
ONQ.
[broken link removed]
All advice on AAM is remote from the situation and cannot be relied upon as a defence or support - in and of itself - should legal action be taken.
Competent legal and building professionals should be asked to advise in Real Life with rights to inspect and issue reports on the matters at hand.