AboutPaul S. Brown, AIA Expertise How to work with an Architect. What to expect for design fees. What services are normally
included; what are not included? How do I find an Architect in my area? Why do I need an
Architect? How to be clear about your space needs. Why time must be managed properly.
Experience 24 years involvement in the practice of Architecture, including some teaching experience. Most of my work has been within the employment of various firms, but I have also done some small-scale projects on my own.
Particular interests include Environmental Design, "Green" Design, and Appropriate Technologies. LEED (TM) Accredited Professional.
I have some specific experience with Historic Preservation, Medical Facilities, Commercial Interiors, and Public School projects.
Education: Bachelor of Environmental Design Degree (Architecture), 1978, Miami University in Ohio. I am registered to practice professionally in the states of Massachusetts and Maine.
We are paying our architects 6.5% on a middle & elementary school construction project. Would you happen to know the percentage costs to the architect of 1) preparing schedules 2) preparing budgets 3) preparing bid documents? And of that 6.5% that we are paying the architects, what percentage of that do they use to pay their subs (electrical, mechanical, structural engineers etc)? Anyone information or website link would greatly be appreciated.
Thank you,
Loan
Answer Hi Loan:
It is really hard to answer this question as each project is very different from every other project, and each design firm has different capabilities and different needs for seeking outside consultants.
If I were budgeting a project like this, I would figure on about 5% of the overall fee for a professional cost estimating consultant, as a starting point, and I would figure about 40% of the fee for other engineering consultants. But, some firms might have some of this expertise 'in house'. For bid documents, we generally figure about 25% of our total fee; but again, it depends on whether we also have deliverables due at schematic design and design development stages, etc.
There is a lot of variation. You may have the right to ask your architect, particularly on a publicly financed project, to tell you how they have they budgeted your fees.
You might try the Building Owners and Managers Association website (BOMA) to see if they publish typical fee guidelines. I do not believe that the AIA does this anymore. If you have a state agency that oversees school construction projects, they may have fee guidelines they use.
Thanks,
PB
