Page 20 - A-client-guide-to-working-with-a-SAIA-architect

The
architect’s

fee Combinations of time-based
and project cost-based fees

Depending on the nature of the project, some architects apply time-based fees to the early stages of
a project, with fees for later work stages based on the project cost.
This approach is useful if you have uncertainty as to the scope of your project and require the skills
of an architect to assist in compiling a specific project brief. Once the unknowns of your project are
defined, the architect’s fees are then calculated as a percentage of final project cost. This combination
of fee calculations is not usually suitable for large scale projects that require complex studies like
project feasibility, site selection, and preferably full stage ‘zero’ services (Project Initiation stage). In
these cases, clients often request an overall fee package.

20 A client’s guide to working with an architect | South African Institute of Architects | The architect’s fee