Business ProfileforRobert Therrien: Architect

I hired Mr. Therrien to perform architectural services for a whole house renovation. I gave Mr. Therrien a $1,000 retainer. Mr. Therrien sent a subcontractor to develop drawings. The contractor, Heraldo, came for three days. When I received the drawings I noticed numerous mistakes: windows were added where there were none, and other items like a fireplace was excluded. In several instances the room measurements were incorrect. I contacted Mr. Therrien about these issues and asked for the mistakes to be addressed before we moved forward. Heraldo was scheduled to return but never showed up to the scheduled appointment. Mr. Therrien said he would send out another contractor to fix the mistakes but then never did. I contacted Mr. Therrien 6 times to resolve this but after 6 weeks with no contact, I fired Mr. Therrien after he failed to show up for a scheduled appointment. I would not recommend this company.

The client had several objectives, interior modifications, major structural changes, limited budget and priority needs. I personally met with her twice before we she agreed to go forward with services. I provided recommendations relative to modifications and the cost (construction) associated with it. It was an large 17th century house , with several levels, had been modify many times, required numerous repairs, many major, and different building systems were used over time with various skill levels. She also wanted to change the architectural style. Combined, I spent over four hours of my time with her and did not invoice her for those times. Ultimately I suggested that we address her priority needs first and that it would be necessary to measure up the her house so it could be placed on digital format so we could have information to develop a phased program, identify structural issues, make recommendations, obtain an opinion on cost and make recommendations. She agreed (in writing) to engage my firm on an hourly rate with a $ 1,000 retainer. The agreement clearly explains that the retainer was to be applied at the end of the services as a credit of against the balance. Also in the agreement it clearly states that the retainer is a credit line to begin her work that invoices are due when issued and work can be suspended if prompt payment is not made. The agreement also had a termination clause which simply stated either party of the agreement could terminate at any time for any reason and all that was required was prompt notification and payment for any outstanding balances. Ms. ***** paid the retainer and I scheduled a measure up.

Ms. ***** is correct, it day require three days to obtain the data on the building and the information I needed to begin considering a recommended approach or program for her and it took over a week to prepare drawings based on the measure up. We prepared the drawings of the building and forwarded it to her for her records. I instructed Horaldo on what information I needed to start Ms. *****'s work, he had been there three days already and wanted to return, I told him I had enough information for now and depending on what Ms. ***** decided to do we would go back and get any additional information we may need after we know what she decided to go forward with. Ms. ***** had received TWO invoices, one for the measure up time and another for the preparation of the existing building conditions. Both invoices were due upon receipt, I have copied of the agreement, the invoices and her statement, however I do not see where I can down load them as an attachment of documents.

Upon reviewing Ms. *****'s statement, I note MS. ***** stated Heraldo had been there three days and I have the records of the time to prepare the drawings. I ADJUSTED Ms. *****'s actual time on the invoices; she was only invoiced FOR THREE HOURS to do the measure up and only 8 hours to prepare the drawings. I had to use my funds to cover the expense of Ms. *****'s work, Ms. ***** had the drawings of her hours and has NOT PAID for them. As of XX-X-XX she had not paid her invoices per her agreement, I applied her retainer to the balance. She's not the one that lost here. She has a pretty comprehensive record of what is existing even though we did not show the light switches, radiators and missed a window. The location of the fireplace is shown by the way, another architect most certainly can use that information.

Regarding the appointment. I cancelled one appointment due to a medical issue, the second one, there was confusion on the day I was supposed to meet here. She thought I was to be there a day earlier, I had it in for the following day. Besides the credits I provided her, she stills owes me $ 912,25 dollars.

In my last communication with her ( a note, she said she has no phone) she DEMANDED her $1,000 retainer back meaning she was only expecting to pay me $ 330.00 for all my time and my work.

It's quite simple, we had an agreements that addressed all of this. She agreed and signed it, but did not HONOR her obligation. It is not difficult to understand why it has taken six weeks, I was simply awaiting payment of the first invoice and most certainly feel justified in not investing any more of my time and money without the confidence of being paid at all.

The reply by the owner of this business contains numerous factual errors. For one thing, Mr. Therrien did come to the house twice: the first time was our initial meeting, and yes there was no charge for that meeting. After that initial meeting, when a contract had been executed, Mr. Therrien did return and he DID charge me and I PAID that bill in full. At the initial consult I explained I had two objectives: to address several structural issues and to address condition issues to bring the house up-to-date and move-in ready. At the initial meeting I made it clear that I did not plan on living in this house more than 6 years and wanted to stay within this scope. The budget for this project is $200,000 and was not tight given the scope.(No kitchen remodeling involved). Mr. Therrien makes light of the numerous egregious errors Heraldo made in the drawing of the plans--and demonstrates he did not take these problems seriously. First, Heraldo added SEVERAL windows where their were none and excluded most fixed objects. The placement of the windows and doors were arbitrary on any particular wall and the basic room dimensions were often not correct. As I said previously, all I wanted was the drawings corrected. These drawings as they are are unusable. Mr. Therrien's refusal to correct the deficiency is bad business and something a homeowner should never have to deal with.

I have nothing or little more to say. I presented my side of things. I'm always disappointed when clients are not happy with my performance and try to do whatever I can to resolve any disputes or problems. The bottom line is I did honor my terms of our agreement, she agreed and understood those terms, did not honor her terms and expected me to invest more into her project without making the payments required for me to continue. The termination clause in the agreement is specifically written to address these circumstances. She had nothing to really complain about. She got her work product, although she still owes almost a thousand dollars. I'm the victim here. Most of my clients pay their bills on time to assure I will continue with their work. He didn't. If a client doesn't pay their bills, then it is foolish for me to make them a priority. Withholding payment or making excuses for not making payment certainly is a method to question a client's intent. I had NO obligation to do ANYTHING when I had not received payment as required in the agreement. It there was a problem, I certainly could have made an adjustment on her invoices. She did not discuss them other than to say she would give me a check when I came for the appointment. When came, no check, no mention of payment. What does say?