The reliable way to hire a tradesperson

our architect is refusing to allow us to have laminate flooring in our house as he "has design control over the build" and does not like manmade materials- this seems bizarre to me given that we are paying him to help us design our house that we will live in :/ he has suggested that we go down the design and build route and that that would mean he would be unable to issue us a construction document but instead just issue drawings and specification as design intent. when i've looked online this seems less detailed than a construction document. given that is the only thing we wanted changed from his build, and from what i can see if we had opted for design and build from the start we would have paid significantly less, im a little stuck as to what our right are and what we can do - is it ok to insist on the construction document even if we dont get him to go to tender given we have paid for that route in stage 4? - is there any way we can force him to spec the laminate flooring (would pron rather avoid this) any advice or suggestions very welcome

How big is the job to remove my victorian fireplace and put a new log burner? How long it can take and what i have to consider before i start this job?

Hi i need engineer drawing for new sewer/ waste water connection to submit to NI water and local council for planning approval. Do i need architect or engineer ?