HELP! local Architect Firm has stopped responding after taking our money

[poza78]

Bit stuck here so I wanted to consult the experts here:

 

In August we contacted a local Architects Firm Magnus Architecture  to help us with the design and planning stage for an extension.

 

All went well initially after paying around £900 to do the designs we agreed to proceed with a planning application of a further £1k. 

 

This was almost 2 months ago now and we were advised it can take up to 3 weeks to submit the plans. Last month we tried to contact the firm after having no response to any emails and found that the phine lines were dead. Doing a little research on recent Google Reviews has found that several people are having the same or worse problems, some have been left mid-build and it seems that the directors Simon Coyle and Justyn Lambert have done this to customers from their previous firm MAGNUS TECHNICAL ENGINEERING LTD. This isn't a company that has gone out of business because of Covid-19 pressures.

 

I checked them out on Companies House and the firm is still marked as active. https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/09994925. I could raise a civil claim for breach of account according to Citizens Advice but I don't see them responding.

 

I wish I'd done my research before going with these fraudsters but will be more diligent in future. Would appreciate any advice here

 

Thanks

Chet

 

[AndyOrch]

How did you make payment to them ?

 

Andy

[honeybee13]

Looking at your link they also had the Solar Advice Service for a couple of years. Are they jacks of all trades or trained architects, do you think?

 

HB

[honeybee13]

It's no consolation to you, I know. Justyn seems to be the leader and has had at least five companies. The latest was set up in September 2019, purpose 'Development of building projects'.

 

https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/nw4uB_rv_2h3cS8j-jRr7GCbmM8/appointments

[poza78]

Hi Andy,

 

rookie mistake, paid by bank transfer instead of credit card which has protected me in the past. 

[BankFodder]

[poza78]

2 hours ago, honeybee13 said:

It's no consolation to you, I know. Justyn seems to be the leader and has had at least five companies. The latest was set up in September 2019, purpose 'Development of building projects'.

 

https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/nw4uB_rv_2h3cS8j-jRr7GCbmM8/appointments

 

Yep done that research here too

 

check out the reviews at Magnus Architects Reviews here and some other people have also been stung recently

 

2 hours ago, honeybee13 said:

Looking at your link they also had the Solar Advice Service for a couple of years. Are they jacks of all trades or trained architects, do you think?

 

HB

 

They are trained architects from what I gathered and their service seemed on point, the guy who came out and did the designs and second iteration were fine, I even have the PDF design. But as soon as we paid for planning permission that was when all communications ceased.

 

We also rang the council and no plans have been submitted

 

 

1 hour ago, BankFodder said:

 

For the record I wasn't dealing with Magnus, the mrs was taking care of this

[London1971]

Damn looks like they stay in business by phoenixing into another company. Is there a register of architects, or a trade organisation that they would be members of, where you can make a complaint?

[poza78]

Yes thats exactly what they're doing and can't be allowed to continue on like this aside from the money they've conned me out of. 

[London1971]

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/architects-registration-board

 

https://complaints.arb.org.uk/

 

If they really are architects as individuals, the leverage you may have would be through something like this. Of course that relies on them being legitimate architects in the first place.

[poza78]

On 11/11/2020 at 14:38, London1971 said:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/architects-registration-board

 

https://complaints.arb.org.uk/

 

If they really are architects as individuals, the leverage you may have would be through something like this. Of course that relies on them being legitimate architects in the first place.

sorry I’ve tracked a few other fleeced customers this week and no sign of them on the register. Alarm bells would have been ringing if I’d done my homework!!

[London1971]

Damn! You live and learn I guess. In future you know where to do your research.

[poza78]

31 minutes ago, London1971 said:

Damn! You live and learn I guess. In future you know where to do your research.

Time to start the civil claim