ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES
At Eco Design - Architects & Consultants, we offer the full comprehensive architectural service as well as regenerative design natural building consultancy. From your brief to design, approval and construction. The quality of work that we deliver often exceeds the industry standards. We go the extra mile to give our clients the confidence and surety they need when exploring natural, alternative methodologies.
In addition to the ecological approach to design and construction, as outlined in our Manifesto for Green Architecture, in summary the typical work stages of the service include the following:
Stage Fee apportionment of Architectural Fees:
The stage fees are apportioned per work stage and are due on a monthly pro rata basis or otherwise at the end of each work stage. The full fee is apportioned across the work stages as follows:
WORK STAGE PERCENTAGE of full 100% fee
Stage 1: Appraisal and Definition of Project 5%
Stage 2: Design Concept 15%
Stage 3: Design Development 15%
Stage 4a: Council Submission / Building regulation Compliance 22 ½ %
Stage 4b: Working Drawings & Tender Documentation 17 ½ %
Stage 5: Contract Administration and Site Inspections 25%
Partial Services:
Partial services are also offered with services offered stage by stage of the architectural service.
STAGE 1: Appraisal & Definition of Project
- Liaise with client to define and confirm brief and budget - Visit & analyze the site - Establish local council/authority requirements - Advise on appointment of necessary consultants (i.e. land surveyor, structural engineer, quantity surveyor, etc) - Advise on procedures to meet requirements - Collate necessary site info
STAGE 2: Design Concept
- Prepare initial set of sketch plans and concept plans - Meet/Liaise with client to review design and re-appraise Stage 1 brief - Co-ordinate with relevant consultants – land surveyor, quantity surveyor - Meet with client and review design and brief as required
STAGE 3: Design Development
- Develop initial sketch plans - Co-ordinate with relevant consultants i.e. structural engineer, quantity surveyor etc. - Meet with client and review design and brief as required - Liaise with relevant authorities as required - Advise client on relevant technical and legal requirements and review budget and program as required - Refine the design to establish a final agreed sketch plan
STAGE 4: Technical Documentation
Stage 4a: Council Submission / Building regulation Compliance - Prepare necessary documentation and drawings for council submission, based on final sketch plans. - Client meetings/liaisons - Arrange for submission to local council for approval & administer approval process with plan walker. ​Stage 4b: Working Drawings & Documentation - Prepare set of detail drawings, specifications and contract documents for construction and tender purposes. - Review the estimated cost of the works in relation to the budget. - Call for tender
STAGE 5: Contract Administration & Site Inspection
- Obtain offers for the execution of the works and advise client in relation to the awarding of the building contract/s. - Administer and perform the duties of the architect as defined in the building contract. - Administer the contract, issue site instructions. - Act as principle agent between the builder/s and client. - Control the issuing and amendments to all contract documentation. - Regular site inspections and certification of works in regards to the drawings and contract documents. - Assist builder/s in interpretation of drawings and contract documents. - Inspect for defects & certify works, issue all payment as well as final completion certificates. - Supply the client with relevant technical data, certificates and guarantees from suppliers on completion of the works. - Close and finalize snags and reconcile payments.
Additional Supplementary Services
- Special meetings if required i.e. Rate payer, body corporate,heritage, town planner or aesthetic committee meetings or related motivations are supplementary to the standard services. - Energy conservation calculations and documentation for SANS 10400 : XA - Inspection & instructions with regards to issuing of a letter of practical completion, where the architect is not appointed to undertake stage 5. - Facilitating specialist workshops, training or participation processes charrettes etc. - Doing as-built plans typically known as "measured drawings". - Stage 2 or 3 client driven design changes after stage 3 i.e. signing off on stage 4a and all related stages there after. - Obtaining of property deeds, erf diagrams ( which are required for council submission purposes) or retrieving existing council approved plans. - Locating or selection of site. - Preparation of client's brief - assist in preparation of their requirements with regards to the project scope, and use and operation of the project. - Any removal of title deed restrictions; re-zoning; departures; special consent use. - Rider plan preparation and application process (changes to council drawings if required if plan have already been approved) - Master site planning of future buildings related to the current works. - Town planning, urban design and landscape design. - Rational design by other consultants - participation in the preparation of rational design. - Plan walking i.e. the physical submission of documentation to local municipalities. Not required where the submission is handled digitally. - Promotional material, artwork & graphics (over and above what is produced as part of the typical design stages) - Purpose made items, interior design incl. selection, documentation and procurement of furniture, furnishing, special finishes & fixtures. - Machinery / plant procurement, operational and production layouts etc. - Maintenance & operating manuals. - Services in connection with work arising from the insolvency or liquidation of a party. - Related to the building contract and service concerning disputes and litigation associated with the project. - Project management (over and above work stage 5 architectural services) or material procurement.
FEES:
Standard Architectural Fees:
Our architectural service are either charged on a Time Basis or on a Project Cost Percentage based fee in line with the Council of Architects (SACAP) recommended fee Tariff and an assessment of the specifics of the project itself. Any of the possible supplementary services required as well as consulting services are charged on an hourly basis. Disbursements incurred like travel, prints etc. are also charged separately and like supplementary services are additional to the service fees. In the case of owner builder type projects, where a market related contract value is not determinable, then the fees are typically time-based or alternately upon a reasonable assessment of market related square meter rates and squared meter calculations.
Additional Supplementary Services:
Please note that there will be certain additional costs, over and above the fees, which will be for the client’s account. They are as follows:
-
All scrutiny or submission fees, including Local authority or any possible heritage application or home owner type fees and NHBRC fees, if applicable.
-
All Consultant fees as required i.e., Engineers, land surveyor, quantity surveyors, landscape architects, conveyancing, energy efficiency “competent person”, plan walking etc.
​​
Please note that it is mandatory that:
a) All council plans, which involve any kind of structural work shall include the appointment of a Structural Engineer and sign-off upon completion.
b) In terms of the energy efficiency regulation’s part XA, all South African municipalities require the appointment of a “competent person” to perform energy efficiency calculations and sign-off upon completion.
-
Special Meetings if required i.e., Rate payer, body corporate, heritage, town planner or aesthetics committee meetings or related motivations are supplementary to the standard service and are charged on an hourly basis.
-
Travel Time (@ 50 % of hourly rates)
-
Travel Cost for office vehicles, all trips within 80km of the office are charged @ a set rate per km and a reduced rate for travel outside of the 80km radius.
-
If required flights (economy class), food, accommodation, toll fee, hire car or any other transport costs. 10% handling fees will apply if bookings are done through Eco Design Architects.
-
Disbursement Costs:
Copy Plans/Printing
Postage/Courier charges @ cost + 10%
Document Binding charges @ cost + 10%
-
All other disbursements such as materials purchased that may potentially be incurred on behalf of the project are charged at cost +10% handling fee.
-
Any services additional or supplementary to the Standard Architectural Services that are provided, are charged on a Time Basis using hourly or otherwise negotiated agreed daily rates or percentage charges.
