Architect and Engineer Negligence Claims
Design failures and engineering errors on commercial and residential projects can cost millions. We recover your losses.
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We do offer No Win, No Fee
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35+ Years' Experience
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Led by Tony Hill, Head of Professional Negligence
Proud to be associated with and featured in
Has an Architect or Engineer's Negligence Caused You Loss?
Architects, engineers and other construction professionals play a vital role in the safety, functionality and value of buildings and infrastructure projects.
When negligence leads to defective designs, structural issues, project delays or increased costs, the financial consequences can be significant for developers, businesses and property owners.
Tony Hill and the team at Wealth Recovery Solicitors pursue professional negligence claims against architects, engineers and other construction professionals across England and Wales on a No Win, No Fee basis. With more than 35 years’ experience in professional negligence and commercial litigation, Tony provides clear, commercially focused advice on complex construction disputes.
If a construction professional’s negligence has caused you financial loss, we can help.
What Is Architect and Engineer Negligence?
Architects, engineers and other construction professionals must exercise reasonable skill and care when carrying out their work. If they fall below the standard expected of a reasonably competent professional and cause financial loss, a negligence claim may arise.
The key question is whether a competent architect or engineer would have acted in the same way. If not, and the failure caused avoidable loss, the professional may be liable.
Tony Hill and the team at Wealth Recovery Solicitors handle claims against architects, engineers and other construction professionals across residential, commercial and infrastructure projects.
Types of Architect and Engineer Negligence We Handle
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Architect Negligence
Claims against architects for defective designs, inadequate specifications, failure to comply with building regulations, negligent project management, or poor supervision of works resulting in financial loss. Architects often owe their clients a duty of care in both design and contract administration — a failure in either can ground a claim.
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Negligent Architect - Design Failures
Where an architect's design was defective, resulting in structural issues, water ingress, poor thermal performance, regulatory non-compliance or the need for costly remedial works. Design defects are among the most common construction negligence claims.
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Structural Engineer Negligence
Claims against structural engineers whose calculations, designs, or advice were incorrect — resulting in structural defects, subsidence, unsafe construction, or costly remedial work. Structural engineering errors can compromise building safety and typically require urgent and expensive intervention.
Common Scenarios in Architect and Engineer Negligence Claims
Architect and engineer negligence claims arise in many contexts. The following are some of the most common scenarios we encounter:
- A building develops significant structural defects after completion — subsidence, roof or flooring failure, or facade problems — caused by negligent design or specification
- An architect’s design fails to comply with building or planning regulations, resulting in enforcement action, costly alterations, or inability to occupy the building
- A structural engineer’s calculations prove incorrect, requiring emergency remedial works at significant cost
- An architect fails to supervise works properly, allowing defective construction to proceed undetected
- A project overruns substantially due to negligent design or coordination, causing significant consequential losses
- A commercial building cannot be used for its intended purpose due to design negligence
- Ground investigation or drainage design failures cause flooding, subsidence, or ground instability affecting the development
These are not minor disputes. They are serious, high-value claims that can involve losses of hundreds of thousands or millions of pounds. They are complex matters requiring both legal expertise and the ability to manage technical expert evidence effectively. Tony Hill and the WRS team have the experience and resources to handle them.
Do You Have an Architect or Engineer Negligence Claim?
You may have a viable claim if any of the following apply:
- Your building has developed structural defects or failures that you believe were caused by negligent design
- An architect or engineer gave you incorrect advice that you relied on and suffered financial loss as a result
- Your project suffered significant cost overruns or delays due to professional negligence in the design or supervision stages
- You have received specialist advice suggesting the original design did not meet the required professional standard
- A commercial building you developed or acquired has failed to perform as designed
- Building regulations or planning compliance issues have emerged that should have been addressed at the design stage
- Drainage, ground investigation, or earthworks failures have caused damage to your property or development
If any of these situations apply to you, we encourage you to contact us promptly to discuss your circumstances.
Time Limits — Act Promptly
Professional negligence claims against architects and engineers are subject to limitation periods. The primary limitation period is six years from the date of the negligent act or breach of contract or from the date the damage occurred.
In construction cases, the date on which damage first occurs can be complex to identify — particularly where defects are latent (hidden) and do not manifest for several years after completion. Section 14A of the Limitation Act 1980 may extend the limitation period to three years from the date of knowledge in such cases, subject to a longstop period of fifteen years from the negligent act.
Important: Limitation periods in construction professional negligence claims are strictly enforced and can be particularly complex. The interaction between contractual and tortious limitation periods, latent damage provisions, and the date of knowledge test means that each case must be assessed on its own facts. We strongly recommend seeking legal advice at the earliest opportunity if you have any concern about timing.
Our Claims Process
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Step 1 — Confidential Consultation
We discuss the project, the professional involved, the defects identified, and the loss suffered — at no charge and with no obligation. Tony Hill or the WRS team will give you an honest, realistic appraisal of your position.
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Step 2 — Technical Investigation
We arrange inspection and expert analysis of the design, the construction, and the cause of the defects or losses. In construction negligence claims, technical expert evidence is critical — we work with leading independent experts across all relevant disciplines.
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Step 3 — Liability and Quantum Assessment
We establish the professional's breach of duty and quantify your losses — including remediation costs, loss of use, diminution in value, and consequential losses. This stage often involves detailed technical and financial analysis.
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Step 4 — Letter of Claim
We formally notify the negligent professional and their professional indemnity insurers of your claim, setting out the full basis of liability and quantum in accordance with the Professional Negligence Pre-Action Protocol.
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Step 5 — Negotiation or Litigation
We pursue maximum recovery through negotiation, alternative dispute resolution such as mediation, or — where a fair settlement cannot be achieved — court proceedings. We are fully prepared to litigate and have the resources and experience to handle complex construction disputes through to trial.
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Step 6 — Recovery
You receive the compensation you are owed. In the right cases we offer No Win, No Fee arrangements, and we then only charge our fee when your claim succeeds.
Head of Professional Negligence & Commercial Litigation
Your Specialist — Tony Hill
Tony Hill is a solicitor with more than 35 years’ experience pursuing professional negligence claims against a wide range of professional disciplines — including architects, engineers, and construction professionals where negligence has caused significant financial loss to commercial clients. A graduate of the University of Oxford (MA) and Member of the Law Society of England and Wales, Tony combines rigorous legal analysis with the pragmatic, commercially focused approach that complex construction negligence disputes demand.
Tony acts for employers/developers, property owners, businesses, and individuals who have suffered loss through construction professional negligence. He is based in Manchester and handles cases nationally throughout England and Wales.
All claims are personally overseen by Tony Hill. When you instruct Wealth Recovery Solicitors, you work directly with the specialist leading your case — not a junior associate or a call handler.
Member, The Law Society of England and Wales
Why Clients Choose Wealth Recovery Solicitors
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Specialist focus.
We concentrate on professional negligence and financial recovery. This is not a sideline — it is our core practice.
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Construction expertise.
Tony Hill has more than 35 years' experience handling claims against architects, engineers, and construction professionals across residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects.
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No Win, No Fee.
We are prepared to act on a No Win, No Fee basis, removing the financial barrier to pursuing a legitimate claim.
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Technical capability.
We manage complex technical expert evidence across multiple disciplines — structural engineering, architecture, building surveying, and specialist design.
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Prepared to litigate.
Many firms prefer to settle early and we share that commercial instinct. However, and while we negotiate robustly, we are fully resourced and willing to proceed to trial where necessary.
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Transparent process.
We explain every stage of the claims process clearly and keep you informed throughout.
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National coverage.
Based in Manchester, we act for clients throughout England and Wales.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I claim against an architect for a defective design?
Yes. Architects owe their clients a duty to exercise reasonable skill and care in producing designs and supervising works. Where that duty has been breached and you have suffered financial loss — including the cost of remediation, reduced property value, or loss of use — a professional negligence claim is available.
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What professional indemnity insurance do architects and engineers hold?
Architects registered with the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and members of RIBA are required to hold professional indemnity insurance. Structural engineers who are members of the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) or ICE or the Association of Consulting Engineers (ACE) similarly hold PII. These policies are the typical source of recovery in professional negligence claims against construction professionals.
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What is the limitation period for construction negligence claims?
The primary limitation period is six years from the date of the negligent act (in contract) or from when the damage occurred (in tort). In latent defect cases, Section 14A of the Limitation Act 1980 may extend this to three years from the date of knowledge, subject to a fifteen-year longstop. Construction limitation issues are complex — seek advice without delay.
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Can I claim for consequential losses — not just repair costs?
Yes. Recoverable losses in architect and engineer negligence claims can include the cost of remedial works, the diminution in value of the property, loss of rental or commercial income during remediation, additional professional fees, and other consequential financial losses that flow directly from the negligence.
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What standard must an architect or engineer meet?
The legal standard is that of a reasonably competent practitioner in their field. This is an objective test — it does not require perfection, but it does require the exercise of reasonable skill and care. Where a professional falls below this standard and causes loss, they may be liable in negligence.
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Do you handle claims involving multiple professionals?
Yes. Construction projects frequently involve multiple professionals — architects, structural engineers, M&E engineers, project managers, and specialist designers. Where negligence by more than one professional has contributed to the loss, we can pursue claims against multiple parties and their respective insurers.
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How long does a construction negligence claim take?
Timescales vary depending on the complexity of the technical issues and the number of parties involved. Many claims are resolved through negotiation with the professional’s indemnity insurer within 12 to 24 months. More complex multi-party disputes, or those proceeding to trial, may take longer. We manage the process efficiently and keep you informed throughout.
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Do you handle cases outside London?
Yes. Wealth Recovery Solicitors act for clients throughout England and Wales. Tony Hill is based in Manchester and handles claims nationally.
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How much does it cost?
Many of our construction professional negligence claims are taken on a No Win, No Fee basis. You pay nothing unless your claim succeeds. We discuss all funding arrangements transparently at the outset so you can make an informed decision.
Important Information
In certain particular circumstances, there may be longer limitation periods available through statute or other mechanisms but the primary periods, as noted, are always to be considered.
The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Every professional negligence claim depends on its own facts and circumstances. Limitation periods and procedural requirements vary and may be affected by factors specific to your case — particularly in construction matters where latent damage and multiple limitation regimes may apply. Nothing on this page should be relied upon as a substitute for formal legal advice tailored to your situation.
Wealth Recovery Solicitors is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Our SRA number should be verified independently via the SRA website at sra.org.uk.
“No Win, No Fee” means a conditional fee arrangement (CFA) as defined under the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (as amended). A success fee may be payable from your damages in the event of a successful outcome. The terms of any CFA will be explained to you in full before you agree to proceed.