Comparing architects’ fee quotes: how to go about it
What clients should look for when comparing architects’ quotes, so they compare more than just the amount.
Fee quotes can only be compared if all practices offer the same scope of services. So first decide which services you need. Then compare not only the amount but also the assumptions, the project lead, the possible start and the approach to the task. The lowest fee is not automatically the best offer.
Define the scope of services first
Quotes can only be compared if all practices quote for the same services. In Switzerland, the SIA 112 standard divides a building project into six phases, which are in turn divided into sub-phases. If one practice quotes up to the building project and another up to commissioning, the amounts are not comparable. So decide before you ask which sub-phases you want to award.
1 Strategic planning
- —11 Definition of needs, solution strategies: the client clarifies needs, goals and constraints, and possible ways to a solution are outlined.
2 Preliminary studies
- —21 Definition of the project, feasibility study: the project is outlined, for example with a room schedule and goals, and it is checked whether it is legally and economically feasible on the site.
- —22 Selection procedure: the planners are selected, for example through a competition, a study commission or a quotation procedure.
3 Project design
- —31 Preliminary design: a first project with concept, plans and a cost estimate.
- —32 Building project: the project is worked out with plans, specification, cost estimate and schedule.
- —33 Permit procedure: submitting the planning application and accompanying the procedure up to the building permit.
4 Tendering
- —41 Tendering, bid comparison, award proposal: the construction work is tendered, the contractors’ bids are compared and the award is prepared.
5 Construction
- —51 Detailed design: the construction drawings and details to build from.
- —52 Execution: site management coordinates the site and monitors quality, costs and deadlines.
- —53 Commissioning, completion: acceptance, remedying defects, final account and documentation of the building.
6 Operation
- —61 Operation, 62 Monitoring / inspection / servicing, 63 Maintenance: operation and upkeep after handover. These sub-phases are usually not part of an architecture commission.
On Architektonik, sub-phases 31 to 53 are preselected when you tender a project, from preliminary design to completion. You can adjust them to your project.
How architects calculate their fees
Three models are common: a fee based on construction costs under SIA 102, a time-based fee with a cost ceiling, or a lump sum for a clearly defined scope. The factors that influence the fee are explained in the article architects’ fees in Switzerland.
What to look for when comparing
- —Scope of services: are all the requested sub-phases included, and what does the practice exclude?
- —Assumptions: which construction budget, documents and schedule is the quote based on?
- —Incidental costs: are expenses and travel included, or are they extra?
- —Project lead: who looks after your project, and what experience does this person have with comparable buildings?
- —Start: from when can the practice begin?
- —Approach and references: has the practice understood your task, and do its previous projects match yours?
Why the lowest fee is rarely the best choice
A strikingly low fee can mean that the practice has included fewer services or calculated very tightly. If time for planning is short, this can show later, in additional claims or in quality. So compare what you get for the fee, and take suitability and approach into account.
Comparing quotes with Architektonik
On Architektonik you define the scope of services under SIA 112 when you tender the project. All practices then quote for the same scope and submit their application in the same structure: approach, start, project lead and fee as an indicative quote, plus remarks on assumptions and exclusions. In the comparison view you see all applications side by side, rate suitability and approach and decide yourself how much each criterion counts. Tendering is free of charge for clients. How the procedure works is explained in the article sealed fee auction.
The indicative fee quote is not binding. Only the contract you conclude with the practice after the award is binding; it sets out services, fee and schedule. You can tender your project for free under Join.