4.1 Fees And Scope Of Work

Question 1

Describing your work

Answer 1

You are selling a service not a product
-personalised
-relationship based
-unique
-considerable sized purchase

Question 2

Role of architect is different for different projects, clients, building types, specialisms etc

Answer 2

Architect:
-interior architect, fit out architect, shell and core architect, executive architect
Designer:
-concept designer, detail designer, technical designer
-client design advisor
-principal designer; PD Building Regs/PD CDM:
Team Leader:
-Lead Consultant
-Lead design consultant/Lead designer
Site:
-Contract administrator
-Site architect-working for employer or contractor

Question 3

Other consultants

Answer 3

-Quantity Surveyor/Cost consultant
-Structural Engineer
-Building Services Engineers (Mechanical/Electrical/Energy Advisors; MEP/M&E)
-Civil Engineers
-Engineering specialists eg acoustics, fire, lighting etc
-Project Manager
-Interior Designer
-Landscape architect
-Design specialists; heritage, theatre, cladding etc

-Surveys

Question 4

Agreeing to undertake work:

Answer 4

-An architect’s appointment is a contract
>Offer consideration, acceptance
-Get any arrangements in writing even at the earliest stage
-Bespoke forms need serious scrutiny

Question 5

What will you do for the client and how to describe your services

Answer 5

What will you do? Scope
How much will you charge? Fee
How long will it take-Programme

SFP

=Fee letter (your proposal)

Question 6

What is a contract?

Answer 6

A binding agreement, enforceable by law, for a breach of which, the law will provide a remedy

For a valid contract:
-Offer, by one party
-Consideration
-Unqualified Acceptance, by the other party

Question 7

What does the contract require that there is?

Answer 7

-Capacity to contract
-Intention to create a legal relationship
-Genuine consent, not duress
-A legal (possible) objective

They can be entered into in writing or orally
Orally has uncertainty of terms

Question 8

Claims in contract

Answer 8

-An architects (or other consultant’s) appointment is a contact between two parties inc sub-consultant
-So is the construction contract
-If contractual obligations are not met, actions can be brought for breach of contract
-Express terms
-Implied terms: beware of ‘Fitness for purpose’, ‘Reasonable skill and care’-ensure the contract sets out the expectations

Question 9

Architects Appointment

Answer 9

-Essential that it is in writing
-Set out obligations of the parties very clearly
-Preferably use RIBA standard suite-tried and tested in court of law
-Small projects often utilise appointments via letter rather than lengthier standard form
-Use extreme care-inherent risks-get advice from RIBA publications, and the remember the Codes

Question 10

Services & Duties of an Architect

Answer 10

-Work with the client to describe the required work-I.e. Client’s Brief/Employers Requirement (ER). NB sometimes what they first ask for and what they need may differ, this is a careful and iterative process
-To advise and consult with the client as to any constraints which may exist as to the use of land to be built on, either by restriction covenants or by the right of adjoining owners or the public over the land, or by law affecting the works to be executed. (It is the client’s responsibility to provide all existing plans and covenants pertaining to the land which they have in their possession.
-To examine the site, sub-soil and surroundings, adjacent buildings, access etc
-To prepare sketch plans and a specification with regard to all the conditions which exist and to submit them to the employer for approval with an estimate of the probable cost, if required
-Elaborate and modify or amend the sketch/scheme plans as may be instructed
-Consult with and advise employer as to obtaining tenders, whether by invitation or by advertisement, and as to the necessity or otherwise of employing a quantity surveyor (cost consultant)
-Supply contractor with copies of contract drawings and specifications
-Perform duties to employer as defined by any contract

Question 11

What is unreasonable to expect at no additional cost?

Answer 11

-Preparation of working drawings
-Invitation to tender
-Inspection of work in progress

Question 12

A summary of a normal Services by an architect may be subdivided into the following (RIBA) stages:

Answer 12

-0 Strategic Definition
-1 Preparation and Briefint
-2 Concept Design
-3 Spatial Coordination (previously Developed Design)
-4 Technical Design
-5 Manufacturing & Construction
-6 Handover
-7 Use

Question 13

0 Strategic Definition

Answer 13

-Project is strategically appraised and defined
>Identify clients Business case and Strategic Brief and other core project requirements
>You will need to ask many questions regarding finance available, time schedule and the functional requirement of the building

Question 14

0-The Strategic Brief:

Answer 14

-Possibly prepared by client, but normal architect
-Takes into consideration preparatory works and clients decisions on any points thrown up by appraisal
-Key procedures must be identified, plus advice from architect as to other design team appointments
-Client gives thought to the need for consultants and specialist sub contractors

> Develop initial project brief
Feasibility studies
Assemble project team
Defining each party’s roles and responsibilities and the information exchange

Question 15

1 Preparation and Briefing

Answer 15

Develop Project Objectives, including Quality Objectives and Project Outcomes, Sustainability Aspirations, Project Budget, other parameters or constraints and develop initial project brief. Undertake Feasibility Studies and review of Site Information

Question 16

1-Considerations

Answer 16

-projects spatial requirements
-desired project outcomes, which may be derived following feedback from earlier and similar projects-the site or context, by undertaking site appraisals and collating Site Information, including building surveys-the budget

Question 17

2 Concept Design

Answer 17

-Concept design produced in line with the requirements of the Project Brief
-Project strategies, developed by team in parallel. Sustainability Strategy is likely to be a fundamental component:
-Revisit and update brief and issue as Final Project Brief as part of the Information Exchange at the end of Stage 2
-Review the cost information
-Development of a Construction Strategy, Maintenance and Operational Strategy and a Health and Safety Strategy
-Update Project Execution Plan

Question 18

2- What do architects have to do

Answer 18

-Architect will develop brief into a full briefing document for the project intended to indicate the clients requirement
-Prepare drawings to illustrate proposed solutions to the client’s problem
-The drawings will not be detailed , but will be sufficient to show what architect has in mind in a general way

Question 19

3 Spatial Coordination

Answer 19

-Concept design is further developed and progressed until the spatial coordination exercises complete
-May require a number of iterations of the design
-By end, architectural, building services and structural engineering designs all have been developed, and checked by lead designer
-Cost information aligned to the project budget
-Project strategies developed further and in sufficient detail to allow client to sign them off once the lead designer has checked each strategy
-Change Control Procedures agreed to ensure changes to concept design are considered and signed off

Question 20

3-what do architects have to do

Answer 20

-Stage might be combined with previous on small jobs
-Architect must take into account any comments the client makes about the Concept Design
-Architect must complete the Full Briefing document and work with any consultants who may have been appointed to produce a more detailed design for the clients approval
-At this stage the client should be clear about appearance of building, with materials proposed
-Planning application should be submitted by end of this stage

Question 21

4 Technical Design

Answer 21

-Architectural, building services and engineering designs s further refined to provide technical definition of the project
-Design responsibility matrix developed to set out level of detail required from each design discipline
-Lead designer will provide input
-Required specialist subcontractors and/or suppliers progress their design work
-By the end of this stage, all aspects of the design will be completed, apart from minor queries arising from the site during construction stage
-In many projects, Stage 4 and 5 works concurrently, particularly the specialist subcontractor design aspects

Question 22

4 Technical Design

Answer 22

-Revised estimate of cost will be prepared and dates for commencement and completion will be determined ed
-Architect will require clients approval to the scheme, time scale and cost at this point
-Assuming client approves with no amendments, architect should apply for Building Regulations consent
-Further review of the Project Strategies including Construction Strategy, and update Health and Safety Strategy

Question 23

Tender

Answer 23

Usually go to tender after stage 4
-Prepare technical drawings to be sent out to allow contractors to have enough information to tender, co-ordinating information required from other consultants
-Some method of quantifying is needed-Bill of Quantities (BOQ) (prepared by quantity surveyor), full specification or a schedule of work should be prepared from information supplied by the architect and other consultants
-They be ready to supply additional information which the QS requires
-The documents must be assembled in a suitable form to allow the prospective contractors to tender
-Relevant information should be included so that the contractors can include for every aspect of the work
-Pre tender health and safety plan should be prepared

Question 24

Tender

Answer 24

Before Tender Action stage, architect or QS should advise the client on most appropriate way of obtaining a price for the work
-It may be negotiated tendering, selected tendering or open tendering
-Tendering information should be sent to the potential contractors
-References should be requested from every contractor on the list and at the same time ascertained by discreet enquiry some idea of their financial stability
-In some projects formal pre-qualification process will be carried out to produce a short list of the most appropriate contractors
-Architect and QS will assess all tenders received and advise the client accordingly

Question 25

5 Manufacturing & Construction

Answer 25

Pre-construction commencement discussion should have taken place about the appropriate form of contract, including how changes could be made to the design if required (and impact), and the contract document prepared and signed
-Site hand-over meeting takes place, the contractor and lead consultant hold the first site meeting where all the key consultants or their representatives are expected to attend
>Introductions
>Procedures are discussed -eg frequency of site meeting
>Frequency and procedures of valuations and site inspection
>Site inspections (site boundaries are determined)
>Site access, circulation, site office, workers facilities, H&S etc

Question 26

5 Manufacturing & Construction

Answer 26

During Construction Works
-Building is constructed on site in accordance with the Construction Programme. Construction includes erection of components that have been fabricated off site
-Architect carries out their duties under the contract and makes regular visits to site to inspect the general progress and quality of workmanship and material
-It may be necessary to supply further production information from time to time or as set out in an Information Release Schedule
-Client must be kept up to date on the progress of the work and supplied with financial reports at regular intervals depending upon the clients requirements and the size and complexity of the project
-Client should be given any additional advice required concerning the project

Question 27

6 Handover

Answer 27

-When work is completed, architect must ensure all defects are made good and loose ends tied up
-Make sure financial aspects are settled accurately with the help of other consultants as appropriate
-Client should be supplied with information on access to and maintenance of systems and products together with a set of drawings showing the building and the main lines of drainage and the services installations, which will be required for the health and safety file
-Drawings completed at this stage will be ‘As built’ or ‘Final Construction issue’.

Question 28

7 In Use

Answer 28

-Relatively new stage. Acknowledges potential benefits of harnessing the project design information to assist with the successful operation and use of a building
-Includes Post-occupancy Evaluation and review of Project Performance as well as new duties that can be undertaken during the In Use period of a building