CoA | ARCHITECT’S PROFESSIONAL CHARGES
The Council of Architecture has prescribed the Professional Charges under the Architects (Professional Conduct) Regulations, 1989. These documents stipulate the mandatory minimum Scale of Professional Charges with the intention of making the Client fully aware of the fees chargeable by an Architect. These documents are applicable to all registered architects and such Architects who have specialized in areas such as Structural Design, Urban Design, City Planning, Landscape Architecture, Interior Architecture and Architectural Conservation.
Most Architects do not follow these recommendations explicitly. However they are useful as a guide to help you in understanding the professional charges of Architects in India. They have been listed here under the following headings:
What are the CoA recommendations on the professional fees to be paid to an architect?
What is an Architect’s fee structure in India?
Can the Architect’s fees be reduced in India?
Is service tax included in the fees of the Architect in India?
What are the documentation and communication charges?
What are the reimbursable expenses that can be claimed by an Architect in India?
WHAT ARE THE COUNCIL OF ARCHITECTURE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE PROFESSIONAL FEES TO BE PAID TO AN ARCHITECT IN INDIA?
The Council of Architecture has reviewed the issue of Architect’s fees in depth and the revised and latest version of these documents, which was approved by the Council at its 40th meeting are presented here. In consideration of the Comprehensive Professional Services rendered by an Architect, he shall be paid a professional fee and other charges in accordance with the Scale of Charges. The Architect is paid fees for the following reasons:
- The efforts involved in preparing designs,
- The cost involved in making drawings and other documents,
- The cost of supervision in terms of time of the Architect,
- The fees paid to the different Consultants appointed by the Architect, and
- Adequate compensation for responsibilities undertaken by the Architect.
WHAT IS AN ARCHITECT’S FEE STRUCTURE?
Percentage: The fee payable to the Architect shall be computed as a percentage ( see Scale of Charges chart) of the Actual Cost of the project works, as on completion. The Actual cost of the project shall be the actual cost of the completed building work as calculated on the accepted tenders, including the cost of Structural, Sanitary, Plumbing and Electrical work, Sanitary and Electrical fittings & fixtures, lifts, escalators and all items on which the Architect has rendered professional services, but shall exclude the cost of the Client’s site office, cost of land and cost of supervisory staff at the site.
Minimum payable fees: The fees listed in the Scale of Charges is the minimum payable for the Architect’s services. However, depending on the complexity of the project, the Architect is free to quote higher fees. Quoting less fees and furnishing partial or incomplete service would be detrimental to the project and not in the interest of the Client.
Negotiable fees: For works costing upto Rs 15 Lakhs, the professional fees may be negotiable between the Architect and the Client.
Social / slum housing: In view of the importance of social housing, slum upgradation etc, the Architect’s fees are negotiable between the Architect and Client.
Lump-sum fees: The fees can become a Lump-Sum Fees, if it is the intention and desire of the Architect and Client that the fees be frozen at the time of award of the Contract.
Consultants’ fees: The fees of the Consultants appointed by the Architect and paid by him, shall be calculated on the cost of such specialized works in accordance with the Conditions of Engagement and Scale of Fees prescribed by the respective professional Institutions recognized by the Government of India.
CAN THE ARCHITECT’S FEES BE REDUCED?
The Architect’s fees cannot be subjected to deductions for the following reasons:
Penalty to Contractor: No deductions shall be made from the fee of the Architect on account of penalty, liquidated damages, part rates or other sums withheld from payment or recovered from the Contractor or Suppliers.
Use of old materials: When the work is executed wholly or in part with old materials or labour or carriage is provided by the Client, the percentage fees shall be calculated as if the work had been executed wholly by the Contractor and supplying all labour and new materials.
Curtailment of Architect’s services: Any curtailment of the professional services, after the preliminarydrawings have been prepared by the Architect, shall make it obligatory for the Client to pay at least 20% of the fee for the remaining stage(s) of the curtailed work / services.
IS SERVICE TAX INCLUDED IN THE FEES OF AN ARCHITECT IN INDIA?
Any tax levied by law, such as Service Tax, etc contingent to professional services rendered by the Architect, shall be payable by the Client, over and above the gross fee charged by the Architect.
WHAT ARE THE DOCUMENTATION & COMMUNICATION CHARGES?
Apart from the professional fee, the Client shall pay the Architect, Documentation and Communication charges @ 10% of the professional fee payable to the Architect at all stages.
WHAT ARE THE REIMBURSABLE EXPENSES THAT CAN BE CLAIMED BY AN ARCHITECT IN INDIA?
In addition to the fee payable, the Client will reimburse the Architect towards actual expenses of the following:
Fare for out-station visits: Return air fare or first class A.C. train fare for any out-station visits made by the Architect or his professional staff and first class train fare for non-professional staff to the site or such other place, in connection with the execution of work and performance of duties referred to in the agreement.
Lodging: Actual lodging and boarding and local transport costs.
Cost of perspectives, models, presentations: Cost of Presentation Drawings, Perspectives, models, computer simulation etc., if required by the Client.
This post was about the Professional Charges, charged by an Architect for the services rendered by him. To know more about the Scale of charges for different kinds of projects, go to:
The Council Of Architecture (CoA) in India has stipulated guidelines and regulations regarding an Architect’s profession and education. To know more, go to:
- An Architect’s Educational Qualifications
- An Architect’s Services and Responsibilities
- An Architect’s Charges
- An Architect’s Conduct
- Registration of an Architect with the CoA
- Architectural Competitions
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