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I now understand more.
It was a fixed price job, complex renovation. The builder deviated from the architect instructions and the result has been delay whilst the architect and my friend tried to get them back to plan. They've come back to plan, but not without significant delay. That delay has meant that the fixed price work isn't profitable any longer... in addition the builder screw up a job elsewhere and that one is profitable (time and materials)... so the builder is now dragging their feet significantly on the job they were asked to do, which is creating distress.
My friend and the architect have offered a "finish the structure and we'll do the polish with additional trades" but the builder hasn't bitten.
Hence, they're in limbo and living in a half-finished structure, which is taking a toll on their health.
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Velocio
Just remembered this. Architects have to make sure there is a written contract for the construction work. For domestic work this is likely to be one from JCT (homeowner, minor works or intermediate). The standard contracts all have a section in them about dispute resolution and adjudication. Is the architect the contract administrator?