Archos Fee Structure & Policy

(As of December 2014)

I.       Design Services:

The Owner engages Architect to perform architectural, design and related services for the Owner relating to the Project (the “Services”).  As part of the Services, Architect will consult with the Owner to develop the Owner’s objectives, schedule and budget for the Project.

Architect will charge the Owner a fee which is based upon the number of hours which the Architect works for the Owner.  WE DO NOT PERFORM SERVICES FOR AN OWNER ON A FIXED FEE BASIS.  Any figures quoted to the Owner for the total cost of services are merely estimates. 

II.      Hourly Rates:

The Owner will pay Architect for the Services in accordance with the following rates:

Principle Architectural Project Management.

Principle Consultation Services, Meetings & Design.

Architectural Personnel Meetings & Design.

$125.00 per hour

Contractor clarification Meetings.

Energy Calculations.

$100.00 per hour

Principle Drafting.

Architectural Personnel Project Management.

$90.00 per hour

Architectural Personnel Drafting.

Architectural Personnel Field Measurements.

$75.00 per hour

Project Administrative Support.

$65.00 per hour

Reimbursable Expenses include the following:

§  Reproductions.

§  Postage and handling of drawings.

§  Professional consultation.

§  Travel and Mileage

III.     Advance Deposit:

To begin work on the Project, The Owner agrees to pay the Architect an advance deposit which the Architect agrees to put in their trust account.  The advance deposit will be used to pay Client's monthly bills from the Architect.

IV.     Consultant Services:

The performance of the Services may require that Architect work with other building or construction professionals, such as mechanical engineers, structural engineers, geotechnical consultants and surveyors.  The Owner will pay all fees and costs charged by those professionals.  Architect will not engage any of those professionals without first consulting with the Owner.

V.      The Construction Document Package:

a Construction Document Package is a collection of standard drawings, details, diagrams and specifications that convey the design concept to the person who will construct the building.  These are called “working drawings” or “blue-prints”. Typically they are required to obtain a building permit. The Construction Document Package graphically shows the design of the Project in scaled drawings including the measurement required. Specifications outlines important items the building contractor is responsible for the completion of the project.  Specifications also include a quality level for the materials and products used in the design. 

The following lists the drawings included in a typical Construction Document Package.

1.         Cover Sheet:  The Cover Sheet includes; an index of drawings included in the Construction Document Package, A Designer’s image of the Cabin, and your information as the Owner of the Documents.

2.         Floor Plans:  Foundation or Lower Level Floor Plan, Main Level Floor Plan, Upper or Second Level Floor Plan, and Roof Plan.

3.         Building Sections:  Building Cross Sections, and selected Wall Sections.

4.         Interior Elevations:  Selected Elevations of interior rooms.

5.         Exterior Elevations:  Elevations of each face of the Cabin.

6.         Details and Schedules:  Enlarged detailed drawing that give additional information to the Builder. Room Finish Schedule and Door Schedule.

VI.     Owner Planning:

Planning is essential for successful construction. Planning transfers your needs and expectations into reality. Our experience makes us aware of the services individuals require.

We are professionally registered architects that have the qualifications you require to design your Project.  We will work in close communication with you to meet your design needs and budget.

The steps required for successful design are as follows:

1.         We will help you create a Program and Features List, or “wish list”. These include the rooms you require specialty items or features, your priorities for the arrangement of spaces, aesthetic preferences, construction time-table and cost requirements.

2.         After the wish list is completed and reviewed, we will conduct a personal consultation with you to identify and clarify your Program and Features List. From this consultation an agreement can be made to begin the design process.

3.         In the Schematic Design Process, our architects develop optional solutions based on the information we have received.  Free-hand drawings, plans and sketches are used to get your ideas to paper. You will be presented a packet of Schematic Design Documents of those ideas to review.

4.         After you have had time to review the Schematic Design Documents, an additional consultation will be needed to conclude and finalize the Design. Based on your comments, the Design will be modified into a set of Construction Documents.  From this process Construction Document Packages can be ordered through our normal process.

VII.    Terms, Conditions, and Disclaimer Policy:

·                These designs are protected under the terms of the United States Copyright Law and may not be copied or reproduced in any way, by any means, unless you have purchased Vellum Reproducible which clearly indicate your right to copy or reproduce.

·                We authorize the use of your chosen design as an aid in the construction of one cabin, cottage or vacation home only. You may not use this design to build a second or multiple dwellings without purchasing another Construction Document Package or Packages or paying additional design fees.

·                The title to the intellectual property rights in the plans shall remain with Archos Architecture & Design, P.A..

·                Use of the plans in a manner inconsistent with this agreement is a violation of United States Copyright laws.

Modifications and Warranties:

Any modifications made to the Construction Document Package or Packages, Blueprints, and/or Vellum Reproducible by parties other than Archos Architecture & Design, P.A. voids any warranties expressed or implied including the warranties of fitness for particular purpose and merchantability.

Disclaimer:

Substantial care and effort has gone into the creation of these Construction Document Packages and each individual Design. However, if we are not allowed to provide on-site consultation, supervision and control over actual construction, WE CANNOT MAKE ANY WARRANTY, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO THE CONTENT OR USE OF OUR CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENT PACKAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

VIII.   Mechanic’s Lien:

Architect provides the Owner the following notice under Minnesota law for the supplied labor and material the Architects will provide to the Owner for the design and construction documents for the Owner’s project:

ANY PERSON OR COMPANY SUPPLYING LABOR OR MATERIALS FOR THIS IMPROVEMENT TO YOUR PROPERTY MAY FILE A LIEN AGAINST YOUR PROPERTY IF THAT PERSON OR COMPANY IS NOT PAID FOR THE CONTRIBUTIONS.

UNDER MINNESOTA LAW, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO PAY PERSONS WHO SUPPLIED LABOR OR MATERIALS FOR THIS IMPROVEMENT DIRECTLY AND DEDUCT THIS AMOUNT FROM OUR CONTRACT PRICE, OR WITHHOLD THE AMOUNTS DUE THEM FROM US UNTIL 120 DAYS AFTER COMPLETION OF THE IMPROVEMENT UNLESS WE GIVE YOU A LIEN WAIVER SIGNED BY PERSONS WHO SUPPLIED ANY LABOR OR MATERIALS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT AND WHO GAVE YOU TIMELY NOTICE.

The Architect will provide to the Owner a written lien wavier release after receipt of final payment, within 30 days, for the completion of all work for the project under contract.

IX.     Ownership of the Design & Plans:

As part of the Services, Architect may prepare various construction related documents, such as plans, drawings, designs, schematics and construction documents.  Architect will remain the owner of all documents until.  The Owner will use those documents only in connection with the Project and will not provide any of those documents (or any copies of those documents) to any person without the prior written consent of Architect.

X.      Determination of Architect’s Fee:

Architect will charge the Owner a fee which is based upon the number of hours which the Architect works for the Owner.  Architect’s fees are based upon the amount of time which the Architect devotes to the Owner 's project.  It is impossible to determine in advance the amount of time which will be needed to complete the Owner 's design.  Billed time includes all time spent on the Owner’s project, including, but not limited to, conferences, telephone conferences, drafting preparation, drafting of design and construction documents, and cooperating with any other Professionals or service providers working for the Owner.  WE DO NOT PERFORM SERVICES FOR AN OWNER ON A FIXED FEE BASIS.  Any figures quoted to the Owner for the total cost of services are merely estimates. 

Architectural services the Architect may provide includes:

§  Field Documentation: One site visit. Consists of measuring existing field conditions and documenting the information.

§  Design Phase: Based on the outlined program, schedule and construction budget; Architect shall prepare, for the approval by the Owner, design documents consisting of floor plans and elevation studies appropriate for the Project.

§  Construction Estimate Phase: Based on the approved Design Documents; Architect shall prepare a “Pricing Set” of Design Documents appropriate for a Contractor or Builder to prepare a “Ballpark” estimate.

§  Construction Document Phase: Based on the approved Design Documents and “Ballpark” estimate; Architect shall prepare a “Contractor’s Set” of Construction Documents appropriate for the Project and Building Permit.

XI.     Termination of the Design Agreement:

The Owner may terminate this Agreement at any time upon written notice to Architect, provided that all of Architect’s fees and charges for the Services (through the termination) are paid in full upon the termination.  Architect may terminate this Agreement at any time upon written notice to the Owner.

XII.    Resolution of Disputes:

Any dispute that Architect and the Owner may have with regard to this Agreement will be resolved by arbitration in accordance with the Construction Industry Rules of the American Arbitration Association.  The arbitration will be conducted in Minneapolis, Minnesota and any court of competent jurisdiction will have authority to enter judgment upon the decision of the arbitrator.