UNIT2: ARCHITECTS SERVICES AND SCALE OF

FEES
MODE OF ENGAGING AN ARCHITECT
At the heart of every successful project is a strong relationship between client and
architect. We as architects know that the more knowledgeable our clients are, the
more likely they are to participate fully in the process and enjoy the benefits of a
collaborative effort.
Appointing an architect’s by a client –
•relatives and friends may recommend an architect with whom they have worked and
are satisfied with his service
•A reputed architect known for his outstanding work may be appointed.
•An architect who has done similar specialized jobs successfully may be considered.
•An architect’s firm which is conveniently located and considered suitable for the
project may be chosen.
•The author of best design in a competition held under expert advice as per the
guidelines of the COA can be commissioned for the project.
•Through social contacts.
Client architect agreement
The process of dispute solving namely the arbitration clause is included in it. This can
be done by adopting the standard form of LETTER OF APPOINTMENT recommended by
COA. If the project involves partial services the precise scope of architect’s services,
mode of payment of fees, respective duties of client and the architect need to be
defined clearly. Once arbitration clause is included the client cannot take disputes to
the consumer redressal.

Architect as agent of client

Architect must know the extent of his authority – architect must not enlarge or
diminish the scope of contract – communicate more often with the client, appraise him
about the progress of work, any change made in drawings, manner of construction and
financial implication are involved prior sanction is essential. The architect has to get
signature from client in all important drawings.
•COMPREHENSIVE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES
The practice of the architectural profession in regulated by the Architects Act, 1972.
The council of architecture (COA) has defined the scope of work and Architectural
services to be rendered by Architects with a view to making the client fully aware of
the duties and services which he may except from the Architect. They stipulate the
parameters within which the Architect is required to function and are applicable to all
registered Architects and such Architects who have specialized in areas such as
structural design, Urban design, city planning, landscape Architecture, Interior
Architecture and Architectural conservation.
The architect is required to provide services in respect of the following
SCPOE OF WORK-
•Taking clients Instructions and preparation of Design brief.
•Site Evaluation, analysis and impact on the immediate environment.
•Design and Site development.
•Structural Design
•Sanitary, plumbing, Drainage, water-supply and Sewerage Design.
•Electrical, Electronic, communication systems and Design
•Heating, ventilation and Air conditioning Design (HVAC).
•Elevators, Escalators etc.
•Fire Detectors, Fire protection and Security systems
•Periodic Inspection and Evaluation of construction works.
Quality control.
ALLIED FIELDS
•Interior Architecture
•Landscape Architecture
•Architectural conservation
•Retrofitting of buildings
•Graphic Design and Signage.
THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY AN ARCHITECT IN INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
The primary objective in interior Architecture is to generate a purposeful ambience that
will stimulate the user’s creative potential, protect the users from the extremes of
weather and also nurture them emotionally. The aim is to meld the interiors and exteriors
into symbiotic relationships through scale, volume, light and shade. Hence, the interior
spaces must be designed to fulfill the fundamental functional and aesthetic needs that
make the interiors efficient and pleasant to live and work in. The development of design
is a very conscious act and it infuses life into interiors subconsciously
SCOPE OF WORK
•Site evaluation and assessment.
•Interior design – space planning and volumetric study.
•Architectural additions and alterations.
•Interior related civil works
•Design of fixed items of work and loose furniture.
•Illumination design
•Sound and Acoustic design
•Graphic design
•Indoor plant scape
•Selection of materials, equipment and other interior related elements.
•Integration of all Engineering services
•Periodic inspection and evaluation off works at site.
•Quality control.
SERVICES PROVIDED BY AN ARCHITECT IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
Landscape Architecture deals with the analysis, planning, design, management, preservation
and rehabilitation of land. It is a science capable of producing an ecologically-sensitive design
which is self-sustainable. It integrates from the very conception, the elements of Architecture,
Urban design and civil engineering, Landscape Architecture covers a wide spectrum ranging
from landscape planning at the regional and city scale on the one end, to the small and
medium scale of public and private landscape at the other. It involves dealing with such sites
as office plazas, public squares, highways, city parks, housing developments, institutional
campuses, Zoological and botanical parks.
SCOPE OF WORKS
•Site appraisal and suitability.
•Site planning
•Landform and grading
•Surface drainage design and water management.
•Irrigation design
•Open space design – hard and soft areas.
•Planting designs.
•Landscape structures and features
•garden furniture design
•Illumination design
•Graphic design and signage.
•Co-ordination of external services.
•Periodic Inspection and evaluation of works at site.
THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY AN ARCHITECT IN URBAN DESIGN
Urban Design is architecture of the cities, highly complex and gargantuan in scale.
The primary aim of urban design is to imbibe and maintain a sense of identity and
harmony among buildings, open spaces and other structures by means of a pleasant
and memorable visual imagery throughout the length and breadth of an urban
setting. Volumetric relationships, harmonious spatial sequences, transition from
buildings to open spaces, streetscape and the services infrastructures must together
create a townscape with an exclusive imagery.
SCOPE OF WORK
•Taking client’s instructions and preparation of design brief.
•Site evaluation, analysis of architectural character, social issues and heritage.
•Feasibility study
•Preliminary proposal for development / re-development and their impact on
immediate environment.
•Volumetric study and Urban form recommendations including pedestrian /
vehicular movement and parking.
•Architectural controls and guidelines.
•Conceptual design of site development and their interconnectivity.
•Landscape architecture design.
•Architectural conservation design.
•Graphic design and signage.
PARTIAL SERVICES
Where for any reason the architect performs part of the services only, including the abandonment,
postponement, substitution or omission of any project and or works or part there of or if the services of the
architect are terminated the charges in respect of the services performed shall be as follows-
•If the work has not yet reached the stage of completing the submission of draft sketches and architects
estimate of cost to the client, the charge shall be on a time basis.
•If draft sketches and architects estimate of cost based upon covered areas have been submitted to the
client, the charges shall be 10 % of the architect’s fee had the project been completed to the end of the
construction stage. The estimate of cost submitted by the architect shall be considered to be the total cost of
works for computing the fees due.
•If the sketch scheme with the estimate of cost has been accepted by the client, the charges shall be 20% of
the architects fee had the project been completed to the end of the construction stage. The estimate of cost
submitted by the architect shall be considered to be the total cost of works for computing the fees due.
•Preliminary stage up to 35% of fees due.
If the sketches have been modified to suit the clients provisional sanctions and relevant details obtained the
charge shall be 35% of the architects fee, shall be considered to be the total cost of the executed work for
computing the fees due.
•Working drawing stage up to 65% of fees due
The charge shall be the percentage of the architect’s total fee for this stage corresponding to the architects
estimate of the percentage of his total service in this stage already rendered. (The total fee at the end of this
stage is 65% of the architect fee had the project been completed to the end of the construction stage) the
last estimate of cost submitted to the client by the Architect shall be taken to be the total cost of works
computing of fee due.
•Construction stage up to 80% of fees due
The charge shall be the percentage of the architect’s total fee for his stage corresponding to the architect’s
estimate of the percentage of his total service in this stage already rendered. (The total fee at the end of this
stage is 80% of the architect fee had the project been completed to the end of the construction stage)
•Supervision stage up to 100% fees due
The charge shall be the percentage of the architects fees due to the architect on all works executed by
contractors and certified by the architect and 80% on the balance of the estimate cost as submitted by the
architect.
Resuming abandoned work
•If at a later date the works which have been postponed, cancelled or abandoned or any part
are again proceeded with, any payments made under this clause, shall rank solely as payments
on account towards the total fee ultimately on such works and calculated on their actual cost.
•If the whole or any part of the works is postponed and additional services by the architect are
necessary in connection with the resumption of such works the architect shall be entitled to
charge for such additional work on a time basis.
SPECIAL SERVICES
The services described under this head require the payment of additional fees.
•TOWN PLANNING
Fees for town work shall be in accordance with the professional charges of the Institute of town
planners , India except that all layout shall be charged on a time basis.
•GARDEN AND LANDSCAPE DESIGN
The cost all site works designed under the direction of the architect under the same or separate
building or landscape contractors shall be included in the total construction cost of the works
and the architect shall be entitled to the appropriate percentage fees. Specialist advice on the
selection of plants and materials visits to nurseries and all other additional services shall be
charged on a time basis.
•Interior decoration
Whether special services including the provisions of special sketch studies, detailed advice on
the selection of furniture, fittings and soft furnishings and supervision of making up such
furnishings are provided, the percentage fee for each stage of services shall be double that of
new works.
•SHOP FITTINGS AND EXHIBITION WORKS
For shop fittings, shop fronts and interiors, exhibition design and similar works including both
the remodeling of existing shops and the design of new units both independently and within
the shall of an existing building, the percentage fee for each stage of the normal service shall be
double that of new works.
•FURNITURE AND FITTINGS
Fir advising on the selection and suitability of loose furniture, fittings and soft furnishings and
supervision of the installation where not covered above shall be on a time basis.
For the design of special items of furniture and fittings for limited production only the
percentage fee shall be 15% of the total production cost. Alternatively fees may be on a time
basis.
For advising on the commissioning of special works of art, the selection of paintings and
sculpture etc, and for supervising their installation fees shall be on a time basis.
Building systems and components for the development of building systems percentage fees on
the total production cost may be agreed specially.

•LITIGATION AND ARBITRATION

For qualifying to give evidence, settling proofs, conference with solicitors, attendance in court or
at arbitration or before other tribunals, for service in connection with litigation and for
arbitration fees shall be on time basis.
MODE OF PAYMENT/ SCHEDULE OF PAYMENT

The architect shall be paid professional fees in stage consistent with the work done. The stages of
payment are divided the courses of the construction and shall include the following:
•CLIENTS BRIEF – STAGE 1
On appointment and signing of agreement – Rs. 2000/- - or 5% of total fees payable adjustable at
the last stage based on the rough estimate of cost.
•CONCEPT DESIGN – STAGE 2
On submitting conceptual designs and rough estimate – 10% of total fees payable, based on the
rough estimate of cost.
•PRELIMINARY DESIGN AND DRAWING – STAGE 3
On submitting the required preliminary scheme for the client approval along with the preliminary
estimate of cost – 20% of total fees payable less payment already made based on preliminary
estimate of cost.
•DRAWINGS FOR CLIENTS/ STATUTORY APPROVALS –STAGE 4
On incorporating client’s suggestions and submitting drawings for approval from the client /
statutory bodies – 35% of total fees payable, less payment already made, based on preliminary of
cost.
•WORKING DRAWINGS AND TENDER DOCUMENTS – STAGE – 5
On preparation of working drawings specifications, schedule of quantities, estimate and tender
documents - 45% of total fees payable, less payment already made, based on preliminary of cost.
•APPOINTMENT OF CONTRACTORS – STAGE 6
On inviting receiving and analyzing tenders and advising the client on appointment of contractors -
55% of total fees payable, less payment already made, based on preliminary of cost.
•CONSTRUCTION – STAGE 7
On submitting working drawings and details required for commencement of work at site - 65% of
total fees payable, less payment already made, based on accepted tender cost.
•On completion of 20% of work at site - 70% of total fees payable, less payment already made,
based on accepted tender cost.
On completion of 40% of work at site - 75% of total fees payable, less payment already made,
based on accepted tender cost.
On completion of 60% of work at site - 80% of total fees payable, less payment already made,
based on accepted tender cost.
On completion of 80% of work at site - 85% of total fees payable, less payment already made,
based on accepted tender cost.
On virtual completion of work at site - 90% of total fees payable, less payment already made, based
on accepted tender cost.
COMPLETION – STAGE 8
On submitting completion report and drawings for the project required in obtaining completion /
occupation certificate from statutory authorities and on issue of as-built drawings - 100% of total
fees payable, less payment already made, based on Actual total cost.
DOCUMENTATION AND COMMUNICATION CHARGES
•Apart from the professional fee, the client shall pay to the architect documentation and
communication charges, @ 10% of the professional fee payable to the architect at all for discharge
stages.
REIMBURSABLE EXPENSES
•In addition to the amounts reimbursable against site visits by the architect/ consultant the client will
reimburse the architect the following expenses incurred by him for discharge o his obligations.
•Actual cost of travel (to & fro) boarding lodging and local transport for any visit made by his staff to
the site or such other place as may be necessary in connection with the execution of work and in
connection with the performance of duties referred to in this agreement.
•Cost of presentation models, computer simulation, presentation drawings etc, prepared at the
instance of the client for purposes other than the design and execution of the project.