Q1

What can you do to help me with my project?

Services provided can start with pre-purchase feasibility studies to assess site constraints and opportunities; to concept sketches showing how the various spaces and volumes might be arranged with the land; to more detailed schematic design that explores more specific characteristics of these spaces and volumes such allocation of fixtures, windows, levels; to preparing planning permit application documentation and managing the process through Council; to preparing technical working drawings and specifications to enable appropriately qualified and experienced contractors to price the works, be the basis of a building contract, be part of the building permit documentation and give instruction to the builder; to contract facilitation during the construction period.

Q2

What will this cost?

The majority of architectural services are charged for as fixed price lump sum fees. These fees are assessed starting with a base rate for the particular service then added to for each designed space beyond the base allowance that is in the project. Some services may be charged for using a time charge basis with an estimate of the likely upper limit of the fee will be given before starting.

Establishing the likely fee amounts at the beginning assists the client to establish and manage their project budget.

Q3

How does the process work?

After the first no-obligation, no-cost phone call, the next step is to meet - preferably on site - to discuss the project and the client expectations. Generally this meeting is also no-obligation, no-cost although if a fee is to be charged you will be advised at the time of setting up the appointment.

After this meeting a Client and Architect Agreement proposal is prepared by the architect and offered to the client. The document describes in detail the services to be delivered, the fees expected to be received for dong this work, and the conditions under which the services will be provided. These conditions cover such matters as invoicing, termination, copyright, the respective responsibilities of the parties to the agreement and so forth. This client and architect agreement is mandated under the Architects Act Victoria 1997 and the contract is intended to protect the interests of both parties.

The core architectural services are delivered in three main stages: schematic design; planning permit; working drawings. These follow a linear path with one leading to another.

Q4

Answer