Good To Know
Is your designer registered and competent?
Only SACAP-registered professionals may provide architectural services to the public. Candidates and unregistered persons may not. Ask for ID. Contact SACAP on 011 479 5000 or info@sacap.com to find out if they are a registered professional. Then tell SACAP what kind of building you want designed and ask if they are competent enough to handle it. There are four grades of architectural professionals: Draughtspersons, Technologists, Senior Technologists and Architects; and no category of registration may design buildings beyond their competency.
Is your designer diligent?
The Code of Conduct prohibits a professional from doing any work until they have given you 1) proof of professional registration, 2) proof of professional indemnity insurance, and 3) a risk assessment showing they are competent to manage the project. Phone their insurer to verify the policy details.
Never appoint a designer on a simple quote
The Code of Conduct compels architectural professionals to use comprehensive agreements that describe 1) the limits of responsibility, 2) your budget, 3) how to resolve disputes, 4) how to terminate the agreement, and other things. A simple quote is unlawful because it hides from you the full extent of the services that every professional must provide every client.
Letterheads and progress reports
The Code of Conduct compels letterheads to state 1) the name, 2) category of registration, 3) registration number, 4) physical address, and other things. The professional must also provide minutes of meetings that describe the costs, quality and risks involved. They must obtain your written approval any time the project's parameters change; and also before proceeding past a milestone.
Before paying an invoice
Your banking app allows you to identify the name of the account holder. Never pay an entity you did not appoint.
The real cost of 'petty negligence'
This commonplace scenario plays out over many years because an architectural professional neglected their duty to inform clients about what their designs would likely cost: Many clients pay a flat-fee designer for a stamped Building Plan but soon realise the builders' quotes are unaffordable. Instead of asking their designer to amend the application, most clients ask their builder to construct something different. Without architectural specifications or oversight, this workmanship is often poor and needs early maintenance. The Building Inspector cannot sign the Occupation Certificate because it was not built according to plan, which also means the insurer can disown covering any damages. Years later, a purchaser realises that not everything on the property has municipal approval, so an architectural professional must be re-appointed. It now becomes evident that things were built in a way that was never approvable. So, either major upgrades are necessary to comply with current regulations, or the Offers To Purchase are disastrously low. Any professional who provides a service they are not liable for, invariably provides an unprofessional service.
Know of anyone who has been let down by their designer?
For any of the above reasons, members of the public who receive poor service should lodge a complaint with SACAP. The most common reasons are:
The designer was not a registered professional. [Act 44 of 2000 clause 18.2]
The designer was not registered in a category competent enough for the project. [Act 44 of 2000 clause 18.3. Board Notice 27 of 2021 clause 14, 15 & 16]
The letterhead and invoicing were vague. [Board Notice 7 of 2021 clause 5.11]
The Building Plans submitted to the municipality had a different designer's name on it. [Board Notice 7 of 2021 clause 4.4 and 5.6]
The designer did not respect the budget. [Board Notice 7 of 2021 clause 4.1]
The designer may have received 'kickback' from an estate agent, contractor, supplier, etc. [Board Notice 7 of 2021 clause 1.8]
The designer did not clearly explain the consequences to health, safety and public interest. [Board Notice 7 of 2021 clause 5.6]
Click here to lodge a complaint with the national regulator.