This initial site meeting lasts between 30 minutes and 1 hour & allows
me to briefly inspect the property and to consider your requirements. It
allows me to inform you of any relevant Planning and Building Regulation
issues that you should be considering within your scheme together with likely
build cost budgets. After this meeting I will write to you normally within
3 days with my mini-feasability report covering all the issues we discussed
together with my fee quotation including costs. This is a great way for the
potential client to assess my ability, the quality of the advice offered
and my resources.
Provided you already own the property, CHP charges a nominal
£35.00 one off fee to cover time, travelling & expenses involved
in visiting the client (locally) to discuss initial concepts.
If you are considering purchasing a property which you do not yet own &
require my initial design thoughts on what you can achieve for the dwelling
then my one off fixed fee is £50.00.
Being a small practice with a current high demand for Architectural Services,
CHP is unable to absorb the time & expenses associated with visiting
potential clients for the first time. At this first site meeting, the
prospective client will obtain advice & opinions together with a mini
feasibility study & a fee quote letter for their consideration that will
follow in the post.
FOR DESIGN DRAWINGS &
SPECIFICATIONS
For minor works (below £25k contract value) - CHP will normally
give an estimate of hours for each stage of the design process (normally
2 to 3 stages) when the clients project is known after the initial site meeting.
A cost per hour will be stated together with an estimate of all costs
applicable. The current hourly rate will be given upon application.
For medium works (£25k to £80k contract value) - CHP
charges 5% of contract value for Planning design stage & 5% of contract
value for Building Regulations design stage. Alternatively an estimate of
hours for each stage of the design process (normally 2 to 3 stages) when
the clients project is known after the initial site meeting. A cost
per hour will be stated together with an estimate of all costs applicable.
For Larger works (£80k to £300k contract value) - CHP charges
3% of contract value for Planning design stage & 3% of contract value
for Building Regulations design stage. Alternatively an estimate of hours
for each stage of the design process (normally 2 to 3 stages) when the clients
project is known after the initial site meeting. A cost per hour will
be stated together with an estimate of all costs applicable.
Notes - All percentage & hourly quoted fees exclude normal expenses
for printing postage, disbursements, travelling etc. VAT is currently
not applicable (client to check first). Contract values for fee
calculation purposes will be based upon current building cost estimates given
by the RICS. CHP reserves the right to adjust the percentage fee scales
according to the complexity of the scheme.
FOR DRAWING ALTERATIONS
CHP charges the normal hourly rate for client or Local Authority induced
design alterations to the scheme.
FOR TENDER APPLICATION (OPTIONAL)
CHP charges a nominal fee plus expenses to cover the time & administration
involved in submitting a tender to local builders should the client choose
not to do this themselves.
FOR CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION (OPTIONAL)
CHP charges a negotiated percentage of the final contract sum plus expenses
for this service to cover regular site visits, associated administration
time, & increased liabilities. However, most clients choose to save money
on this service & not engage my services.
FOR APPEALS TO THE DOE (OPTIONAL)
CHP will normally give an estimate of hours for this service. A cost per
hour will be stated together with an estimate of all costs applicable. The
current hourly rate will be given upon application.
COMPARING SERVICES & FEE QUOTES
As with any service, it is vital that you obtain fee quotes for similar levels
of service & scheduled below are a few suggested important questions
that a building owner should ask when selecting their Building Design Agent.
If the answer to any of these questions is 'NO', then the building
owner may not be obtaining the 'best value' service. Cheap fees do
not necessarily mean best value. A few pounds saved at the start of
a project can cost you dear if the plans & specifications are deficient
in detail for you or your builder later on. Please feel free to print
off this table of questions.
SUGGESTED QUESTIONS
CHP
OTHERS
OTHERS
1. Does the Agent belong to a recognised professional body or
institution that has a Code of Conduct & a high technical recognition
within the Building Design profession?
yes
.
.
2. Does the Agent have an established track record of providing
professional services in Building Design?
yes
.
.
3. Does the Agent have Professional Indemnity Insurance?
yes
.
.
4. Is this the Agents full time occupation & is not part of
any side-line vocational work?
yes
.
.
5. Can the Agent attend to on site queries if required during
the normal working week?
yes
.
.
6. Is the Agent using Computer Aided Design (CAD) equipment &
techniques?
yes
.
.
7. Does the Agent attend compulsory Continuing Professional
Development (CPD) activities & events?
yes
.
.
8. Will the Agent compile drawings & a Specification Manual
suitable for use as the contract documents between the employer & builder
to enable fixed price quotations to be obtained?
yes
.
.
9. Will the Agent supply full details of ALL fees & expenses
for all stages of the design service prior to engagement?
yes
.
.
10. Is the Agent prepared to show their office set-up & provide
a list of recent clients for references?
yes
.
.
11. Does the Agent have a good working relationship with a Local
Authority?
yes
.
.
The purpose of this question sheet is to ensure that the building owner is
better informed at the outset & that any alternative quotations for
professional services are based on a similar level of service & resources.
This question sheet is not intended to be a comprehensive checklist
but merely a guide for CHP promotional purposes only.
Christopher Hunt
