Appointment of the Landscape Architect

Question 1

What information should a client provide?

Answer 1

Brief / Scope of services

• project size
• nature of work
• Selection process & criteria

Question 2

What may a consultant be required to provide for a bid?

Answer 2

PQQ (fact based check of suitability)

• Management procedures
• Financial standing

ITT (project specific)

• Resources
• Qualifications / CV’s
• Experience
• Technical standards
• Methodology

Question 3

What is included in an L Arch appointment?

or FEE PROPOSAL

Answer 3

1. Agreement (legal agreement)
2. conditions of appointment / T’s & C’s
3. Scope of services & limitations
4. Schedule of fees and expenses

Question 4

Methods for calculating fees?

Methods of charging?

Answer 4

% Fee
= % of total construction cost
- can go up or down

Time Charge (A6)
= charge each hour of work (loose scope)
- risk with client, cap.

Lump Sum (Peace 4/Warren point)
=  total sum, clearly defined and agreed (well defined scope) 
- low risk

Target cost (NEC option C)
= pain/gain

Question 5

What to consider before calculating the fee?

Answer 5

Project - type / scale / value

• Level of appointment (main/sub) - sub fees/managemetn
• Workstages / scope
• Additional services (BIM/ Sustainability stds)

Costs

• Salaries & overheads / office supplies
• finances (loans/insurance)
• PROFIT margin

Question 6

What to consider before expressing interest?

Answer 6

Client?
Resources?
Competence?
Risk (legal insurance)?
Conflict of interest?

Question 7

How to calculate the fee?

Answer 7

take scope of services
break into tasks 
hours required for each task x hourly staff rate 
\+ meetings cost (number x rate)
\+ expenses (printing & travel)
= bottom up fee

+ contingency and profit

TO CHECK compare with top down fee
take total project value and calculate % fee
similar to that of a previous project

Question 8

How to make a fee competitive?

Answer 8

Balance of team - staff and grade working on project
use of technicians and graduates with reviews by more experienced and qualified team members

Reduce the profit margin

Question 9

Methods of appointment?

Answer 9

Direct or Open

Competitive Design + Fee
Competitive fee
Design competition

Framework

Question 10

Types of agreement?

Answer 10

Landscape Consultant appointment
Industry Standard Consultant Contract (NEC PSC)
Clients Standard Appointment

Question 11

How are fees managed?

Answer 11

Project fee = overall responsibility of PM

Keep track of fee spent against total fee. Estimate at completion allows review of progress against program in relation to fee

Every employee feeds into this - timecards - every hour billed to project is documented weekly with notes on tasks worked on.

Communicated to employees time available for each task, build into this contingency.

Tell client it will take 10 hours, typically takes 8, tell staff they have 6.