Inadequate Supervision in Home Building

Progress, Volume XII, Issue 3, 1 November 1916, Page 777

Inadequate Supervision in Home Building

In a northern city an architect reports the following experience. A client of his arranged to build a house for which he drew the necessary plans, and agreed upon the price for same after which tenders were called. The client then on his own account, (and with a view to saving the architect’s fee), let the job to a friendly builder. The architect there-

together and reported to client's solicitor, after having advised him not to make any more progress payments to the builder. The persuasive eloquence of the builder, however, got the better of the client, and he parted with all his available cash. The architect reported to the solicitor that his enquiries showed that the bulk of the materials were not paid for, and a considerable sum was owing for wages and the house was only two-thirds finished. No legal agreement had been made between the parties. A summons was issued against the builder, but alas his address was "not known." The unfortunate client who was so economical that he decided to do without adequate supervision in the end had to do without his house.