Letter of Engagement

[Wings]

I am having some issues with a building project, which is approximately 150 miles from my home town.

Selecting both a suitable building surveyor and a solicitor is not proving an easy process, particularly from such a distance away from the building project, and just making an initial selection through their internet web sites.

Already had to disengage one building surveyor, the same who went well beyond his remit, and then presented me with an unacceptable high bill.

This coming week I need to engage both a building surveyor and a solicitor, the former following a building site meeting.

Is there a way of drafting a letter of engagement that puts some client control of “their” requirements, remit, costs etc. .

[JQ]

They should be sending you a letter of engagement to sign. Explain exactly what you want and put the onus on them to draft wording that you're happy with. Any surveyor not prepared to tailor their terms to meet your requirements is probably not worth employing in the first place.

Where is the job, I can recommend a very good BS in the North West, he does do national work, but I suspect only if the fee is high enough? I can PM you details if needed.

[Wings]

Plymouth area, I am presently looking at Gates or Ward Williams.

It seems to me that in this part of the country, business might be quiet, that just an hint of a client, then they go off on a tangent, running up a huge bill for their potential client. Thanks for your reply.