How to Calculate Architect’s Fees Edition III
This is a continuation of previous series on How to Calculate architect’s Fees. However, it sheds new lights on what the architectural fee calculation methods in Nigeria can learn from Canada.
This is a continuation of previous series on How to Calculate architect’s Fees. However, it sheds new lights on what the architectural fee calculation methods in Nigeria can learn from Canada.
This is an update to the first edition of ‘How to Calculate Architect’s Fees’ which was prepared using the 1996 Architect’s condition of engagement. This detailed update has been prepared with the most recent version of the conditions of engagement by the Architect Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON).
The Standard Form of Building Contract in Nigeria, prepared by the Nigerian Institute of Architects, spells out the duties and responsibilities of architects, contractors, and clients during construction and includes clauses that empower and penalize those who default on their responsibilities. It is commonly used as a reference document for architects in Nigeria and for a contract to be legally binding, a written agreement outlining the roles of consultants and the extent of their duties on site must be signed by the contractors and clients.
This post breaks down how the architect’s fee is calculated. It talks about the scale of fees and their various percentages, time charges, repetitive work and reimbursable fees. It contains practical and easy to follow methods for the fee calculation. Engineers and quantity surveyors will equally find the articles useful.
In this article, I am discussing my views on recycled and custom-made designs in architecture, and exploring the reasons why architects engage in this practice and if I believe they should. I am also examining the consequences of this practice for both architects and clients. I share my own experience with a client who requested me to undertake a design for a lower fee and explaining the reason why the client did not use the previous architect.
This article provides tips for independent architects on how to get paid for designs. The tips include being passionate but also business-minded, taking your time to truly impress clients, avoiding the appearance of being overly fixated on money, having a clear and transparent fee structure, and being prepared to negotiate. The article also notes that architects often regret studying architecture, and that the profession is often underpaid and not in tune with reality.
The blog post discusses the opportunities and challenges of showcasing architectural works on social media. It advises architects and designers to use a combination of images and words, include name/contact information on images, use quality images, update profile, tell good stories, use social media platforms that work for them, target audience, use hashtags and talk about themselves periodically to increase interest in their posts and attract more patronage. The post also mentions the most popular social media platforms for image sharing are Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn and that pictures are easier to comprehend and remember than just words.
The blog post discusses two types of clients that architects may encounter: Client A, who is a gentle client who trusts the architect’s work and does not interfere with design ideas, and Client B, who is an informed/exposed client who is confident in their own ideas but lacks architectural skills. Client A is considered a dream client for architects while client B can be both interesting and difficult to work with.
As an architect, it can be difficult to respond to requests for free services. While it may seem professional to turn down a client simply because they can’t afford your fees, it can also damage the relationship you have built with them. The expectation that architectural services should be offered for free or at a low cost is becoming increasingly common, making it important for architects to understand how to cope with these requests.
I am an architect who has been busy working on residential projects. I have noticed a trend where clients are either unwilling to pay the full professional fee for my services or are shocked at how much my fee is. I am concerned that this trend is making it difficult for architects and other professionals to be well-remunerated for their work and is negatively impacting the quality of architectural practice. I am also concerned that this trend is particularly challenging for small and growing firms. I believe that raising awareness about this issue may help architects to better manage this situation.
The article suggests 10 resolutions for architects to improve their professional practice and personal growth, such as developing a signature style, managing their business more professionally, networking more, being more creative, focusing on important projects, benchmarking their fees, looking professional, collaborating more, traveling more for inspiration and reading more to stay informed.