Architectural malpractice occurs when an architect fails to meet the professional standards expected by those professionals who regulate their field, and that failure causes harm—typically in the form of financial loss, construction defects or safety hazards.
Like other types of professional malpractice, it involves a breach of the duty of care owed to a client or third party. In Florida, individuals or businesses who suffer damages due to an architect’s negligence may be able to pursue a legal claim to recover losses.
The basics
Architects are responsible for much more than designing aesthetically pleasing buildings. They must work to reasonably ensure that their plans comply with building codes, zoning regulations and safety standards. They are also expected to coordinate with engineers, contractors and clients, providing oversight throughout the design and construction process. When these duties are not met competently, the consequences can be potentially catastrophic.
Common examples of architectural malpractice include design errors that lead to structural instability, failure to account for environmental or site-specific conditions, improper selection of materials and flawed drawings that cause construction delays or budget overruns. In some cases, negligence may not become apparent until after a building is occupied—such as water intrusion caused by poor roof design or HVAC issues resulting from layout mistakes.
To succeed in an architectural malpractice claim in Florida, a plaintiff generally must prove four elements: that the architect owed a duty of care, that the duty was breached through negligent action or omission, that the breach caused harm and that measurable damages resulted.
It’s important to note that not every design flaw or construction issue qualifies as malpractice. Architecture often involves subjective decisions, and not every undesired outcome is the result of negligence. The key concern is whether an architect failed to exercise the level of skill and care expected of a reasonably competent professional under similar circumstances.