How do architects most commonly charge for their services?

Answer: Fixed fee based on number of hours
Explanation: Like construction projects, we estimate the number of hours required to complete a design, and prepare a firm lump sum proposal, with a scope of work, to outline the costs.

Answer: Fixed fee based on number of hours
Explanation: Like most professional service providers Architects have a billable hourly rate which include a person's rate of pay, benefits, office overhead (insurance requirements, electricity, rent, internet,etc.). Architects typically estimate the amount of time required to provide the service needed to meet the clients requirements.

Answer: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction cost
Explanation: The standard AIA Contract documents promote the architect as the "Master Builder" and is therefore required to assume every aspect of the project. In residential projects there are numerous areas the client could assume responsibility for and save dollars. I have never agreed to a percentage of construction costs, mainly because he, or she, cannot control what the construction costs will be...and if the client, in the finishing stages, decides to put in gold door knobs and crystal chandlers why should the architect get a percentage of that?

Answer: Fixed fee based on number of hours
Explanation: Most firms write a contract with a fixed fee based on how much time the firm will need to produce the final products. If significant changes in the scope of work are made, either the fees are re-negotiated, or an hourly rate is added to the original scope.

Answer: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction cost
Explanation: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction is the most common way of charging clients....this is billed by percentage of completion by the architect and is adjusted according to the actual building cost.

Answer: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction cost
Explanation: There are several ways that an Architect charges for his services. All of the above are common, but the most common is a percentage of the construction cost of the project.

Answer: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction cost
Explanation: Prior to the economic downtown turn of 2008 most architects charged based off a percentage of construction. However other forms include square foot prices, lump sum prices, fixed fee based on number of hours. Each project is very different and its fee structure should emulate that.

Answer: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction cost
Explanation: It can be a fixed fee or a not to exceed fee based on an hourly rate. Each project is different

Answer: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction cost
Explanation: In most commercial applications, the fee is based on percentage of applications. At times on small projects some may do hourly rate it to exceed certain amount.

Answer: Fixed fee based on number of hours
Explanation: I change a flat fee based on my estimate of time needed to complete your project. I do not base it on Construction Cost.

Answer: Fixed fee based on number of hours
Explanation: i use lump sum fee most of the time. I'm lazy and don't like to be a clock watcher. Generally I have a good idea of how much time it will take for each phase of a project. There are usually several phases. We go thru the process together at the start. Most architects us a combination of all these options, I do too.

Answer: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction cost
Explanation: Architectural fees are generally based on the complexity of the project and estimated time to prepare the design and construction drawings with an allocation for other services which may be required, based on past project experience.

Answer: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction cost
Explanation: http://ro2328.wixsite.com/robco

Answer: Hourly rate (not to exceed a specific amount)
Explanation: Varies widely

Answer: Fixed fee based on number of hours
Explanation: Small projects are set at $300.

Answer: Hourly rate (not to exceed a specific amount)
Explanation: All architects and projects are different. It is difficult to give a fixed fee. I do both hourly rate and hourly rate not to exceed. This depends on how much information is provided up front about the project.

Answer: Fixed fee based on number of hours
Explanation: Different types of projects are charged differently.

Answer: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction cost
Explanation: For me; It varies, design time is billed hourly and construction documents can be fixed fee on either a percentage of the construction cost of a square foot computation

Answer: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction cost
Explanation: Hourly initially, adjusted to project scope as it develops

Answer: Hourly rate (not to exceed a specific amount)
Explanation: For residential projects I usually use this method. For commercial projects i usually use a fixed fee based on construction cost.

Answer: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction cost
Explanation: Different projects have varying contracts. When working with an architect, clients have the opportunity to craft the arrangement to best serve the project needs.

Answer: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction cost
Explanation: There are two main fee approaches for design services, percentage of construction cost or a fixed fee for services based on the design parameters and time. I feel the fixed fee allows the owner the best price because the Design Professional doesn't have the opportunity to increase his fee by what he specifies. The cost is totally based on the designer's perception of the time to complete the project.

Answer: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction cost
Explanation: This is a typical fee structure, next to hourly rates for certain project extras.

Answer: Fixed fee based on number of hours
Explanation: This allows the architect to remain unbiased when making decisions that effect construction cost, and allows the client to manage their costs.

Answer: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction cost
Explanation: This is the clearest way for clients to understand the costs upfront without having architects risk underestimating their time without the appropriate scope information.

Answer: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction cost
Explanation: There are many ways in which an architect can charge a client...it all depends on the agreement.

Answer: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction cost
Explanation: Depends on Architect and type of project. A lot of work is done by the hour.

Answer: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction cost
Explanation: A fixed fee based on a percentage of construction is the most common and traditional method of determining appropriate fees. However, different project and Clients often have differing circumstances that require alternative fee structures that can include portions as fixed fees and portions as hourly.

Answer: Hourly rate (not to exceed a specific amount)
Explanation: For residential work, smaller projects and renovations the most common method is hourly. For medium to large size non-residential projects the most common method is a percentage of construction cost. Typical Architectural hourly fees range from $125 to $250 per hour. This method is mostly used for small projects, residential projects or for services where the time to complete the work is not known

Answer: Fixed fee based on number of hours
Explanation: Typical Job Costs range between $3,750 - 38,000. Our firm offers straight-forward, low-cost pricing: Rates for Additions to existing residences can usually be performed for a flat rate of $5,500-$28,500 depending on construction type, complexity & municipality. Rates for most New Construction ranges between $17,500-$45,000, depending on design complexity, amenities & municipality. The projects shown on our profile were constructed at $168-$179 per square foot, including our fees! Prices are without light fixtures or finishes.

Answer: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction cost
Explanation: Commercial projects' fees are based on a percentage of construction cost. Residential project' fees are generally based on hourly rates not to exceed a certain amount.

Answer: Fixed fee based on number of hours
Explanation: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction cost are not always the best option, because a cheaper project usually have the same or more working hours than a normal project. Hourly rate is often a bad business for developers and owners, because they do not have the real control of the time. A fixed fee is usually the best option for both parties.

Answer: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction cost
Explanation: This is most common because the scope of work is likely to change or not be fully known at the beginning of the project.

Answer: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction cost
Explanation: This is a typical fee approach but not the only.

Answer: Fixed fee based on number of hours
Explanation: We arrive at our fees based on a simple formula: the time it takes to complete the tasks we propose to do for you multiplied by our standard billing rate

Answer: Not sure
Explanation: In my experience, all of the above options are used by architects at one time or another

Answer: Not sure
Explanation: Architects base their fees on a number of criteria. Contracts can be any of the above. Most of the time, it is a fixed fee based upon the estimated number of hours to complete the scope of work.

Answer: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction cost
Explanation: Majority of projects are performed where a statutory rate applies which is defined as percentage of the final construction cost.

Answer: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction cost
Explanation: What architects charge for their services varies by project type and the market that the building is in. In general, a percentage of the construction cost can give a good indication of the amount of work required to perform the work.

Answer: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction cost
Explanation: This is the process at our office for 90% of our projects and is the basis for most state contracts

Answer: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction cost
Explanation: Based on the construction cost and the scope of services, the percentage rate can vary from 5% to 12%. The smaller the job the percentage tends to be higher and the larger the job the percentage tends to be lower.

Answer: Fixed fee based on number of hours
Explanation: The fee depends on the scope and size of the job.

Answer: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction cost
Explanation: It all depends, many architects will by the hour if small projects.

Answer: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction cost
Explanation: Anywhere between 5-20% of the total construction cost depending on the size and complexity of the project

Answer: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction cost
Explanation: traditional means of fee computation

Answer: Fixed fee based on number of hours
Explanation: We can charge hourly and also as a percentage of the estimated construction cost. We have seen some architects and engineers provide fees based on a cost per square foot prices as well. We like to look at our estimated time involvement, as each project is different, and go from there. We will look at the percentage of estimated cost as well as the cost per square foot numbers to inform our estimate.

Answer: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction cost
Explanation: Also some charge by the square foot of the project.

Answer: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction cost
Explanation: If he charges a flat fee, he will lose money.

Answer: Hourly rate (not to exceed a specific amount)
Explanation: There should be a fifth answer. "All of the above" Depending on the project an architect can determine his fee by any of the above methods including "per square foot cost"

Answer: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction cost
Explanation: Fee structures vary with every architect. Also, it hugely depends on the type of work being performed (ie private vs public sector).

Answer: Hourly rate (no cap on hours)
Explanation: The more changes you make the more the architect chargs.

Answer: Fixed fee based on number of hours
Explanation: This is a difficult one. I could have answer "all of the above". I feel like the "percentage of construction cost" is a good thumb rule, while the last one is just "too good to be true".

Answer: Fixed fee based on number of hours
Explanation: The American Institute of Architects (AIA) was formed to promote best practices in Architecture. Generally speaking Architects will bill hourly at a "billable hourly rate", with that said caps, upsets, lump sums and a percentage of construction cost are all ways which Architects are compensated.

Answer: Hourly rate (not to exceed a specific amount)
Explanation: This really is up to the contractor that you pick out. Cover your bases!

Answer: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction cost
Explanation: How an architect structures their fee will depend on scope and complexity. Percentage of construction costs (or initial budget) is the most widely used method.

Answer: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction cost
Explanation: Most base it on the cost of construction and verify it against the assumed hours required.

Answer: Fixed fee based on a percentage of construction cost
Explanation: We charge a fixed fee per project.

Answer: Fixed fee based on number of hours
Explanation: For each project, the hours are factored in considering the type of project, where it is located and it's complexity, since those items can effect the number of hours required. For example, architectural design fees will be lower in general if a structure is designed in Tennessee than in South Florida due to the stringent Florida Codes related to hurricanes and the amount of information the design documents must include.