Professional Fees

There are alternative ways to provide a quotation for Professional Fees depending on the level of service required.

The most normal methods are as follows:-

Percentage Fees Plus Out Of Pocket Expenses
Probably the best value as the Percentage Fee will be calculated only for the services required and does not have to make an allowance for Expenses which cannot be fully determined.

TDRP will agree a Percentage Fee following the initial meeting or when the scope and value of the work and services required can be defined.

The percentage Fee will be calculated by reference to the Building Cost Estimate. Interim fee claims will be submitted by reference to estimated building cost sums, Tender or Contract Sum. The Final Fee Account will be calculated on the basis of the agreed final account sum

Out of Pocket Expenses will be charged at cost and will include travel, prints and copies, postage, disbursements and sundry charges.

Lump Sum Percentage Fee
Normally the best option for the Client as it gives some certainty, subject to the accuracy of the building cost estimate, as to the overall project cost.

TDRP will agree a Lump Sum Percentage Fee following the initial meeting or when the scope and value of the work and services required can be defined.

The Lump Sum Percentage Fee will include defined Out of Pocket Expenses for travel, prints and copies, postage and sundry charges and will be calculated by reference to the Building Cost Estimate. Interim fee claims will be submitted by reference to estimated building cost sums, Tender or Contract Sum. The Final Fee Account will be calculated on the basis of the agreed Final Account sum

Time Charge Plus Out Of Pocket Expenses
Normally appropriate for early Stage A Feasibility Work, Partial Services or for Additional Services.

Time Charge fees are calculated on the basis of TDRP’s standard time charge rates which are calculated for Directors and each architect, technologist, surveyor or trainee by reference to position, salary, skill and associated overhead cost.

Out of Pocket Expenses will be charged at cost and will include travel, prints and copies, postage, disbursements and sundry charges.

Time charge rates are reviewed in March every year and changes to existing rates are implemented in April of each year.

All personnel complete weekly time sheets which are used to calculate time charge fees.

Lump Sum Fee
There can be winners and losers on this basis but some clients prefer the security of knowing exactly what they have to pay. It is essential to fully define the scope of services which will be provided under a Lump Sum basis as any other services not defined in the agreement will be at additional cost at Time Charge Rates plus Out of Pocket Expenses.

An all in Lump Sum Fee quoted following the initial meeting or when the scope and value of the work and services required can be defined.

ALL FEES AND EXPENSES EXCEPT POSTAGE ARE SUBJECT TO VAT AT THE STANDARD RATE RULING AT THE TIME THE SERVICE WAS PROVIDED.

Fee Stages
The Interim Percentage Fee of the total fee to be charged at completion of each Work Stage is subject to agreement but is normally as follows:-

Stage A and B = 15%
Stage C = 20%
Stage D = 20%
Stage E = 20%
Stage F and G = 25%

A good guide to Professional Fees for Architectural Consultants normally accepted as an “Construction Industry“ Standard is the RIBA Publication “A Client’s Guide to Engaging an Architect” published May 2004. TDRP is pleased to confirm that they consider this to be an excellent informative documents which they are happy to confirm as forming a good basis for a Professional Arrangement between Client and Consultant. See Useful Links page for RIBA.