Quote:
Originally Posted by yasir
Bottom line is,i need to tell him i don't want to do a % of the total cost as that could be skewed... Fixed contract is what he is going to get 
Please keep the suggestions coming.
Thanks |
May I suggest the person who will suffer the most from this is you?
Can we get down to basics?
1) You are the Client who is asking a professional to assist you in re-doing your home.
2) You, with his/her help need to explore what it is you aspire (or want) to achieve by this project.
3) The exploration is led by the architect who asks you the 'correct' questions which help you define what it is you want. The reality is that in asking the right questions you will all discover options ideas that where not thought of at the beginning and will ultimately be more satisfactory than the starting point. The Client who has such a fixed idea of what they 'know' they want is the one who is going to get it wrong and make a hash of things.
4) The process is both verbal and graphic..sketches, diagrams, simple 3D views etc to help direct that process.The more you put in here the less the project will cost you and the less you will spend on fees as the result of this process will be far firmer and less subject to change.
5) Payment. If you were to come to me I'd do a fixed sum for these initial concept stages.. say $5000 to deliver an agreed concept, some scaled hand drawings etc all in a report that you or the architect can take to contractors etc for price guide (not cost) to the planners etc to make sure there are no show stoppers.
6) With you having agreed or signed off on that concept and an outline cost then you do go to a percentage fee, especially on refurb work. If you insist on the fixed price you are saying that regardless of lack of information (are you paying for survey work? Opening up of floors? Walls etc to derisk the process...) the architect will have a set amount of money. He will ration that quantum in the design phase as he controls that the most.. allowing the balance on site and a lot in reserve for potential changes. All in all you are spending money to correct potential cock-ups, rather than spending money to avoid them in the first place. Either way the only sufferer will be you. The breakdown of the detailed design and then construction information is somewhat flexible but do not skim on this as its not money saved... you will spend all of it and more on correcting errors, omissions, alterations or legal fees sueing the architect. So save yourself the aggravation and ensure there is a sufficient monies in there to do the job correctly.
7) Play hardball now on fees (and save perhaps 10%) on paper and spend an extra 25% of the budget on cock up correction and additional fees...not good economics.
I would suggest that you ask the architect to define how he has resourced the job in the different phases; we show the client a timeline chart that shows who is working at the job at all times and for how much time...it helps to understand a monthly invoice if you know you have been paying for two people full time for that month...it makes you realise why the invoice is high and you know if you are getting value for money.
8) On a refurb job make sure the architect is employed during the site time. Again its a relatively inexpensive insurance policy...and a good, strong architect will listen to the skilled experienced contractor and find a solution that takes his/her design intent and the contractor's experience to create the correct solution.
9) You are the Client, you do need to take responsiblity for your choices, in contractual terms, in setting an acceptable cash flow solution which enables the architect to do the work without 'funding' you, in accepting/ rejecting work in a clear and timely manner and in making decisions and sticking by them.
10) Remember anything and everything is possible. Just how much time and money do you have?
Sorry its long, but over the years I have spent some very happy times helping private clients build their 'dream homes' and some very trying times with professional clients who are trying to skim on design time... yet fail to see how much money correcting site issues costs compared to design cost. (At the rates he is quoting I cannot imagine how he makes a living...!)
And the only important thing.. this is supposed to be exciting and fun, for you and the architect otherwise its not worth it.