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Project
Fees
Typically the first question
from potential clients is,” How much do you charge for…?” If one has
never used an architect before they will find that the answer to this
question is not so straight forward. Architects typically develop their
fees based on the services required of them.
There are several different ways in which architect fees may be
structured. The most common fee structure is a percentage of the cost of
construction. However, this type of fee may not be appropriate for all
types of projects and is typically utilized on larger projects. Smaller
projects, projects with a limited scope of work or projects of a
specialized nature may utilize either a “negotiated” or “stipulated
sum” fee, an “hourly” rate fee for services rendered or a
“cost plus” fee.
In the case of a large project, which SCArchitect, Inc. typically defines
as having a construction cost of $500,000.00 or greater, a percentage of
the cost of construction fee is typically recommended. This fee would
include all standard architectural services; project analysis, schematic
design, design development, construction plans & details,
specifications and construction administration as well as structural,
electrical and mechanical engineering consultant costs. Standard
architectural fees do not include such specialized design consultants
required for Needs Assessments, Programming, Acoustical Engineering,
Interior design, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, Food Service
of commercial kitchen planning and design and Construction Cost
Estimating. These services may however, be provided through the Architect
if required or requested as an additional service.
We recommend that a meeting be arranged to discuss the purposed project
and the services desired, or needed, to determine the best fee structure
for the project. We almost exclusively utilize the percentage of cost of
construction fee structure as it allows our firm and our client the most
flexibility in manipulating through the design and construction variables
without creating the need to re-negotiate our fee as charges occur.
The flexibility of a percentage fee works to our clients favor through-out
the design process to allow for manipulations and modifications to the
design without constantly revising the Architectural & Engineering
fee. For the purpose of beginning a project utilizing the percentage fee
structure, we assist our client in developing a reasonable opinion of the
construction cost. This cost opinion may be adjusted throughout the design
process and finalized at the time of agreement with the contractor for the
actual construction cost.
Fee
Compensation
We, at SCArchitect, Inc. treat each project as a unique project and
utilize the best fee structure that allows us to provide our clients with
the most professional service necessary to insure a successful project.
The most ‘expensive’ fee our clients will pay will be the cost of
construction change orders to correct design deficiencies. Therefore, we
utilize engineering consultants who have the most qualified experience.
Every
project will be designed and completed in several phases. Our fees will be
invoiced for services rendered based on the portion of service completed
for each phase on a monthly basis.
The following is our typical breakdown of the percentages of the fee
pertaining to the phase of the project completed. (These percentages may
vary from project to project):
Project Phase
Percent Charged
Schematic
Design
15%
Design
Development
20%
Working
Drawings
35%
Agency
Approvals
5%
Building
& Contract Negotiations
5%
Construction
Administration
20%
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