In a constructive-only vein, what can you do now to deal with the lighting issue:

I recently went to the local Lighting Store with the same questions you're asking. They walked me through lighting solutions dealing with where you (may) place different kinds of lighting (task, ambient, etc) within the space. This included how much square footage each kind covers and how that related to our specific plan. We talked about light switch locations and what kind of switches, what's already there, and how one installs the various kinds of lights, including new installation of hard wiring. We're still waiting for a final plan and price, but at least I have a much better idea of what goes into deciding what to do about lighting. I could find online all the components I need and have a pretty good idea what to do with them at this point.

BalTra, can you bring this process to a halt for a bit while you get the details under control? There's no good reason to throw good money after bad if you're going to be unhappy with the result for the next 20 years. Plumbing can be moved - it will cost you, and maybe you're too far along in the process, but at least consider it. If I were you, I'd be feel like I was on a runaway train and need a time out.

My impressions of this "contract":
The architect is not AIA. She's some kind of kitchen designer working for the GC. Or else why would she be able to refund 50% of her fee contingent on signing with the GC? The weasel-worded contract specifically identifies the scope of work as a "refresh" which I believe is their means of ensuring that they do not get any inspections or permits (if no mechanical, plumbing, electrical, HVAC is moved, it is simply connecting new appliances to existing hookups).
Nowhere does the document specify that electrical plans much less a lighting design is part of the deal. Fixtures and finishes only. If she delivered a plan for a kitchen "refresh", then that's what you contracted for, and no matter how unsatisfied you justifiably may feel, you're hooked for it.
You can get 50% back if you hire her boss to do the work! Yeah!
Casey

I'm sorry ... basically it seems she has the same software as some of our members. Draw the basic dimensions of the room and plop in cabinets in the finishes you can choose from. If she didn't measure and only gave one layout; I doubt if she spent 30 hours on it. You ordered the cabs based on a layout you were unhappy with? Please... cut your losses and stop now if you can. So if it delays things... so what. What's an extra couple of months in the big picture of life. I truly hope you remedy this to your satisfaction. And in case you feel taken/foolish/not in control... don't. If misery loves company; then know that we lost 2K to an architect because orginally we(I) was set on doing an extension. It bloomed outta control. We completely switched gears, let go the 2K (completion of the plans for the extension would have cost another 2K) and DIY'd the remodel within the existing footprint. It took us 3 years and the 2K is long forgotten (till now!). Over the long term, we more then saved that amount of money. Take a step back and breathe.

She is not an architect. An architect measures and provides a blueprint. Do you have her business card? What exactly is the title listed?
Just by doing the math, she charged $3,000 based on an hourly fee of $90. She then said she did 30 hours of work. Where is the remaining $300? She owes you. I'd make her meet with whomever, at your house, for the 3 hours.... Might as well get what you paid for.

If there is nothing in there about an hourly charge, I'd say you don't owe one. There is a flat fee of $3000 stated and I would not pay any more than that and only pay that if you got everything promised. Your clips don't include electrical and as pointed out, that may be a carefully planned thing to avoid permits and such.

Is this person truly an architect? Do they represent themselves to be and can you verify credentials? Architects are state licensed -- designers are not. If the person helped themselves out to be an architect, do some research to verify credentials. If you can't verify them, ask her and if she can't produce them or you can't verify them, you may have a basis to void the contract for fraud in the inducement or misrepresentation, in which case you might have a basis for not paying (in whole or part) or demanding a refund (collecting a refund is sometimes much more difficult to do). Whatever your status with this person, it doesn't sound like a situation where I would pay them anything further and would start with someone more qualified and capable of giving you what you wanted.

i agree with posters above that it is time to put the breaks on the speeding train and re-group. it is hard to do once things start moving but as others have said, you will be living with this for a while and it will not be cheap to do. get it done right, even if it takes a bit more time.

i recently had to fire my cabinetmaker due to a variety of issues. it delayed my project and it was very stressful but it was the right thing to do and i am so glad i did it. kitchen now 1 month behind schedule but it will be done right.

Thanks everyone.
Sadly enough, the architect is actually a licensed AIA.
I had a crazy idea that I'd get the kitchen completed before moving in (this weekend!).
Sigh.
I *am* indeed slowing the whole thing down. Hoping to just get the construction dust cleaned up and the new floor installed at this point. Then lots of cooking with the toaster oven, microwave (glad I got one!), electric kettle, and george forman grill!!
Wash the dishes in the basement
Pretend we are camping :)
Monday I plan to go to the architect and request she complete the design - both for electrical and to help me envision the new cabinetry layout.
I have already paid her. Worst case: she flatly says no. I can talk to the principal of the firm.
I appreciate your responses a ton -- when in the thick of it it's difficult to gain a realistic perspective. The 115 heat index doesn't help!!! Thankful for A/C.

did she stamp the plans?

The OP paid for clearly-described concept plans, not construction documents. For measured drawings and electrical plans, she will have to pay more. This "professional" is not very.

I seriously doubt that this person is a licensed architect. According to the contract, you didn't engage her as an architect or for any true architectural services. The services you did receive are a joke. They are the lowest level of an unlicensed "decorator" and don't even rise to the level of a true interior designer. Even an unlicensed decorator measures the room and offers a room layout and space plan.

If this is a legit firm and I were the principal, I'd definatly want to know if one of my employees was engaging in this type of poorly worded dubious undertaking. If the principal has full knowledge of the situation, perhaps a complaint to the state's licensing board and the AIA would get some of your money back. There's no way I'd want anything else to do with this person. If I couldn't get money back, I'd still walk away and consider it an expensive education. (I'd still file the complaints with the agencies though.)

You don't need to be a licensed architect to be a member of the AIA.

I think your strongest argument is that fact that they did not do any field measurements. However it is unclear to me wether it is your contractor or the architect who is in the "wrong".

On a project that small and basic most electricians and GC's are capable of providing the proper services where needed and lighting plans are usually not included unless specifically requested although if your GC saw the existing conditions and the new plan and didn't automatically assume that they were going to be relocating plumbing that is the person I'd be worried about.

If you liked the plan and that's what the GC based his contract on he shouldn't be redesigning the kitchen and simply had a plumber move the plumbing.

As for lighting there are many good lighting professionals and even some electricians that can provide a lighting schedule and plan who will often do it for "free" when you purchase the lighting from them.

Hopefully it's not to late to stop the cabinet order.

Ian

I won't comment on the architect's responsibility in this, except to say that my non-architect " home designer" (not interior designer) measured throughly and provided complete blueprints

As far as lighting goes, my local lighting store has a lighting designer that worked with me to specify location and type of lights throughout my whole house reno free of charge hoping, of course, that I'd order my fixtures from her. Surprisingly, her prices on the few fixtures I picked to this point have been equal to or lower than online prices. Downside is some fixtures can take many weeks to arrive.

I hope you get this resolved to your satisfaction. I echo the advice that an extra month or two delay is worth it to ensure your kitchen is exactly how yu want it. Don't rush.

Another update:

My contractor (not the electrician he works with) will help figure out the lighting. It's a small space, simple galley kitchen, straightforward-- I think.
See original drawings under "Layout of Small Galley Kitchen" in kitchens gallery
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/kitchbath/nph-ind.cgi?type=gal

She is licensed -- I just checked.

Ian80, good point about the contractor accepting original plans. I'll talk with him; it's his electrician who said he "couldn't" move the plumbing.

Julie - no plan stamp.

Histokitch - amazing. Had no idea I paid for concept and not real drawings. And here I thought I'd circumvented the kitchen design racket. Now pouring over NKBA guidelines.

All-- yes, no rushing. Slowing it down. Have to focus on moving at this point.

I've not yet ordered cabinetry. Decided on Crystal Cabs instead of IKEA as I am getting almost 50% off through architect's associated supply company & a very good deal on countertops (eco by cosentino) and cork flooring. If the measurements aren't off, I actually still like the plan and materials.

I did just order my appliances; glad I have storage space in the basement!

Thanks for your thoughts.
BT

perhaps off topic but someone might profit from our experience:

When we were in early planning stage, I happened to be on a committee with a local contractor. I mentioned that we were trying to think about DIY changes to our small tract house but didn't have budget for architect. He went off on an angry tangent, then apologized. His point was that companies like his have good people on staff who can help people like me for much less money. Our project included an addition, garage tie-in, basement, new windows and siding for the old house, and modified driveway. Landscaping and geothermal heating/cooling were also a part of the story but weren't necessary for design plan.

We ended up hiring his in-house designer who created full plans and secured the building permit for us. Although we had a number of wrangles at certain points--primarily dealing with aesthetics and about reuse (ie, we didn't want to buy new stuff)--using this designer was a good avenue for us. I don't think we spent much more than you will be spending yet we got plans that we could modify as we needed to and I'm not afraid the roof will cave in after the removal of a bearing wall. The man knew practical carpentry and gave DH suggestions as to how to do the work, esp how to sequence the work. He suggested sub-contractors who have proved to be good ones.

I went to a lighting store and talked to their lighting designer subsequently and redid the original lighting configuration, esp the substitution of pendants and flushmounts for recessed lights. DH did the wiring and we made a lot of changes to the switching.

The kitchen itself was the subject of a two-month wrangle. The designer showed us a number of ideas which didn't work for me very well, then finally one came that was a hit. He understood general kitchen design pretty well but hadn't worked with a kitchen gardener before. We took his plans to cabinet shops, modified them some more, and ended up with a great kitchen design. The cabinetmaker (we chose the one recommended by the contractor) and I fine-tuned it.

The aesthetics and materials are all restricted by our taste and budget. We had the right of ki-bosh at every step. (We're into our third summer on this project now but we're on the home stretch at last.) If we had wanted to, we could have hired the contractor and I think it would have worked out, although as with the subcontractors we used, it would have taken some wrangling to get our ideas taken seriously.

One thing that can be a problem if you're DIY or semi-DIY: if you seem to be knowledgeable, the person you're working with might not make suggestions. You really need to solicit them overtly--"Here's what we are thinking about but we might not know all our options. Is there something we're missing here? Do you see a problem? Do you know of a better product?"

BalTra, if you post your kitchen plans with approximate measurements in a new thread, there are some very genius kitchen designers on this board who can help look it over and reassure you vis-a-vis the kitchen's functionality.

Anecdotally: we just hired an architect for a tiny porch enclosure project with no HVAC at all involved, and one of the first steps was to send someone from the firm (not an architect) to do comprehensive measuring with a brilliant little laser doohickey. The result was an absolutely exact replica of our house on a CAD blueprint program. From what I understand, this is an essential first step for any construction project, large or small. We are getting the following for around $2,000:
"Floor Plan including relationship of stair to driveway
Three Exterior Elevations
Three Dimensional Views
Exterior Elevations
Window and corner Details
Window Specifications
Stair details and section
Framing Plans and foundation details as necessary"

I must say that from what you've posted, your architect seems extremely slipshod and vague - was there no far more detailed contract following this proposal? There really should have been a list of exact deliverables and exclusions.

I'm annoyed on your behalf and so sorry you need to spend the time to get this all sorted. Courage!

"for a fee of $3,000 you will receive drawings showing one professionally created "green" kitchen concept and material
palete; "

Well, I guess this is what they gave you, but it is clearly a ripoff. Clue 1 should have been the fact that they were selling a "green" refresh (whatever a refresh is.) Green has rapidly become a codeword for "overpriced" and usually has nothing to do with its environmental impact.

BTW - there is nothing wrong with using a designer for a remodel.... as long as you know what you are getting. There is also nothing wrong with a designer discounting their services if you order cabinets etc through them... again, as long as they are upfront about the relationship. I wouldn't do an addition without a real architect working on the project, but their skill-set doesn't necessarily translate into a beautiful and functional space.

Also, all pumbing problems are fixable. All it requires is cash and time.

50% off of list is well within normal cabinet pricing. It's NOT a discount. No one pays list. Cosentino Eco isn't that high priced of a material either, maybe $60-$80 a square foot, depending on which color and your location. You're not getting a "deal" on these components, even though it's represented as such. You need to comparison shop the design around to other makers, as well as get their input on the actual design. (It wouldn't hurt to post it here either.) And everyone else is correct about the plumbing. Unless you specified that you didn't want to incur plumbing costs, a plumber can move the drain to the correct position rather than scrapping the design.

I understand your suspicion of a showroom cabinet representative kitchen designer, but honestly, you would have gotten a much better design package (and probably prices) from any showroom than you received from this person. And, they are the furthest thing from an "independent" designer if they are steering you to a particular brand and a particular contractor. You feared the fire, and ended up in the firing pan. It's a cautionary tale for anyone else trying to avoid going the showroom route and thinking they would be better served by choosing an independent. Independent designers come in all skill levels like any other profession, and you ended up with a Chinese menu skilled one. No real creativity. Just choose one from column A, another from column B, and another from column C. You didn't really receive design services, much less "architectural" services. The contract is so vague that I kept looking for a smily face to indicate the whole thing was a joke. I'm really sorry that you've had this experience, but please rest assured that there are good quality independent green designers available.

A complaint to the principal of the practice is definately in order.

I agree with the above. For our new build, our house plans are at the engineer right now for our blueprints to be finished. I have the 90% finished renderings in my possession so I can do preliminary work for accurate home contractor bids. In the meantime, I've gone to three kitchen places to look around. All asked if they could have the opportunity for their designers price out/design a preliminary kitchen for me. They all are fully aware of where I am and what I'm doing and are laying out a kitchen (and also an office, a wet bar and bathrooms) for me to see if we can achieve what I want and stay where I need to be pricewise. I've had two meetings with each so far to see what they've come up with and where their prices are. One is clearly more than the others at the same level of cabinetry. One's layout impressed me more and the person seems better to work with as well. Shopping around for a kitchen (cabinetry, etc) isn't easy and it takes time. They all know there are other places to go and different brands within their own stores. But in the end, you deserve the kitchen and finishes you want and within your budget and to work with a designer that will help you achieve that. This person does not sound like the person to help you do that. Even if she can help you from this point on, do you still want her to? Can you cut your losses and move on and see if you can find someone you feel comfortable with from a local cabinetry place? After all, she is doing the same thing they would be doing for free. Just some thoughts.

Well, it turns out that you are all so. very. correct.
On all points.
Unfortunately.
I spoke at length with the principal architect.
He explained to me that this was indeed intended to be a "concept" offering. A way of "bringing design with an architect's eye to a different clientele" (e.g. those who aren't spending 100K on their new kitchen).
He is going to come to my home and make 'professional' measurements.
But I'm disgusted. This was SUCH a scam.
He took a long time explaining to me how professional and experienced he is, and at what level (expense/profit) he is accustomed to working. That with the economic downturn they were seeking those who just weren't up for shelling out as much money and just wanted a "refresher" for their kitchen.
And I asked, in what world is the complete demolition of a space, rewiring of electricity, removal of two walls, all cabs, all appliances a "refreshing" of a kitchen???
I feel so taken advantage of.
Analogy: I am in medicine and I know well how easy it is for those of us on the inside of health care to start talking in our very specific language where even words that sound non-technical have a different meaning than as commonly used. It can take a conscious (and, frankly, minimal and necessary) effort to talk with non medical people about their health. And it's part of our job to communicate well with the "consumer" of our services.
This architect intentionally worded the document to mean something very different from what I understood the services to be.
After all, $3,000 is a HUGE amount of money to me, and 10 - 15% of my budget.
I had thought that hiring an architect would ensure things went smoothly and that all of the things I as a lay person do not know that I do not know would be taken care of/brought to light, and worked out in advance of construction.
Instead, I look like an indecisive idiot to my contractor and I'm out a bundle of money.
Phew!
For now, the space is completely deconstructed. I plan to slow waaaaay down. Get multiple bids as babs711 suggests. Live in the space which has all of the things I need to function on a day to day basis just raw and not finished in appearance.
Who knows, maybe August 3rd will come and we all will find ourselves flat broke and I'll be grateful to have not spent all of my remodel monies.
Thank you all for taking the time to comment - truly!
-BT

I'd still suggest that you report the firm to the licensing board. You may or may not get any money back but you might stop them from using these deceptive practices on other clients.

My architect did not do a lighting plan. I questioned this and he said my town considers a single light to be sufficient and lights are dependent on fixture preferences, installation / cost effective issues, furniture and cabinet placement, and kitchen layout. My architect has no concept of how much things cost to build and my contracting estimates were all more than double the budget for my initial project. Also, my architect was upfront with me that he is not a KD and although a general layout is on the blue print, a KD is necessary and separate. Nonetheless, I think an architect is necessary for an unexperience person to be able to get building bids that are apples to apples instead of any materials and construction formats the GC chooses.

Curious, were those unstamped drawings enough to get you permits? Like weissman said, i'd file a complaint.