April 20, 2006
Client John and Jane Doe
1234 Sunset Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90036
RE: Single Family Residence Kitchen and Dining Room Addition and Remodel Fee Proposal
Dear Client,
We enjoyed meeting you and thank you for giving us the opportunity to work on your project. We, Scrafano Architects, propose professional services for the above referenced project as follows:
The scope of architectural services covered in this proposal is in accordance with the American Institute of Architects Standard Owner/Architect Agreement, B141, current edition, unless herein noted otherwise, including Schematic Design through Contract Administration.
1. Provide a new addition for the kitchen and eating area, taking into consideration the impact these spaces have on the backyard and surrounding landscape.
2. Provide a new deck above the kitchen addition that will have access through the master suite.
Architects will measure the existing residence to verify the as-built dimensions with the blueprint drawings that were supplied by the owners. The crucial areas where the addition will occur and any adjacent spaces will be measured to create record drawings prior to the start of the schematic design phase. These will include plans and exterior elevations. We will photograph and document the existing residence. We will measure and document to the best of our abilities. As with most renovation and remodels there are always unforeseen site issues that are not fully known until the walls and items are demolished.
The Architects will research code and zoning issues at the building department. We will use the City of Los Angeles information and the surveyor's base plan.
Scrafano Architects will produce schematic designs based upon the approved scheme, which will include plans, sections and elevations of each area discussed above. The drawings will be for the Owner's review and approval. Upon the written approval of the design by all above parties, we will prepare construction drawings that will allow the design to be bid for construction, permitted and subsequently built.
Upon the approval of the design by the Owner, we, the Architects, and our consultants and structural engineer, will prepare construction drawings that will allow the design to be bid for construction, and subsequently built.
We will assist the Owner in the permit process by submitting the appropriate plans to the local building authorities and planning commission board, and obtaining plan check approval. All agency fees involved will be the responsibility of the Owner. The Contractor will pull the final permit. All permitting service will be billed on an hourly rate stated below.
We will assist the Owner in obtaining and reviewing the bids. During the bidding phase we will be available to clarify any questions that should arise.
We will be available to field any questions and issue clarifications throughout the anticipated time of construction. We will review properly prepared requests by the Contractor for additional information about the Contract Documents, produce and distribute clarification drawings if necessary, interpret and decide matters concerning performance consistent with the intent and reasonably inferable from the Contract Documents. We will visit the site at intervals appropriate to the stage of the Contractor's operations, become generally familiar with the work completed, endeavor to guard against any defects and deficiencies and to determine if the work is being performed in accordance with the Contract Documents. However, we shall not be required to make exhaustive or continuous on-site inspections to check the quality or quantity of the work. We will report any known deviations from the Contract Documents; however, we will not be responsible for the Contractor's failure to perform the work in accordance with the requirements of the Contract Documents. We will review and approve the Contractor's submittals only after he has reviewed and approved them, for only the limited purpose of checking for conformance with information given and the design concept. Review of such submittals is not conducted for the purpose of determining accuracy and completeness of the submittal, all of which remain the responsibility of the Contractor.
The first phase, Record Documentation and Code Research, is based on an hourly rate. The total fee for this phase is estimated at $2,000.00. The services provided during this phase will include plan and exterior elevation drawings of the existing building.
The following phases: Schematic Design, Construction Documents, Bidding and Negotiating and Construction Administration, will be based on an hourly rate as specified below. This includes architectural coordination with the structural engineer. The fee will depend on the final scope of the design project. If the scope should significantly change, we will negotiate in good faith a fee to amend this contract. We usually estimate this fee to be approximately ten percent of the final construction cost. This fee is estimated at $15,000.
The structural engineer will prepare his/her own drawings and all necessary information for permit and bidding. The Owner will have a contract directly with the structural engineer.
The Permitting Phase and any work needed for building department requirements such as hillside ordinances, variances and/or neighborhood association requirements, etc. will be based on an hourly rate specified below and billed as an additional service.
Any selection of finishes such as tile, plumbing fixtures, lighting fixtures, paint colors and decorative items will be an additional service and billed at the hourly rate specified below.
We will require a retainer of five thousand dollars ($5,000) that shall be paid upon execution of this agreement. In addition, a signature will execute this agreement. The retainer is not refundable if the client cancels the project before the completion of a phase. The retainer will be credited towards the final payment upon completion of the project or the completion of an approved phase. The retainer will be used and applied for services only, not for reimbursable expenses.
The Architects will be compensated for architectural services described above at the rates specified below:
Principle Architect: $140/hr
Associate: $95/hr
Project Manager: $60-85/hr
Administration: $60/hr
Junior Designer/ Draftsperson: $45/hr
In addition to the fees quoted above, normal and customary reimbursable expenses will be billed to the Owner at the actual cost x 1.15 (+15%). Reimbursable expenses include, but are not limited to, all blueprinting and reproduction, photographs, express mail, messenger service, model and drawing supplies. This applies to all actual third-party reasonable and customary expenses. All in-house plotting will be billed at eight dollars per 24 x 36 sheet. The owners will have an account directly with the blueprinting company so all prints needed on this job will be billed and paid by the owner directly which will save you money and the cost of administration fees.
The Owner will be invoiced every two weeks. Invoices are due upon receipt and are considered past due thirty days after receipt. The invoices will reflect work completed and reimbursable expenses incurred to date. Past due accounts will force us to cease work until the account is made current. Plans and specifications will not be released for pricing, permit or construction if there is a past due balance. Amounts unpaid ninety days after receipt of invoice shall bear interest at eighteen percent (18%) per annum. The Owner shall pay the Architect for all expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees) incurred in collecting any payment of interest thereon. Please note the hourly rates will increase slightly every year on January 1st, usually by five dollars per hour.
We would like to note the following specific items, which are not considered to fall under the scope of basic Architectural Service and proposed fees:
Unless otherwise provided in this agreement, the Architects and the Architects' consultants shall have no responsibility for the discovery, presence, handling, removal or disposal of or exposure of persons to hazardous materials in any form at the project site, including but not limited to asbestos products, polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) or other toxic substances. All hazardous/toxic substances will be removed from the project site or otherwise remedied according to applicable laws and regulations by Owner prior to commencement of this project's construction.
As part of the services provided, the Architects will investigate the existing facility and verify the accuracy of the original documents, drawings and specifications. This investigation and verification will be done to the best of the Architects' ability as professionals. As the project will include renovation of an existing facility, unforeseen conditions may arise during the course of the project, which may not be discovered during the investigation and verification by the Architects. The Architects will attempt to incorporate the resolution of these hidden conditions as part of the project. However, if these conditions necessitate extensive design services beyond what is initially contemplated, the Architects will request additional services from the Owner and receive approval in writing prior to commencement of these services.
The Architects cannot and do not warrant any estimated pricing or probable construction cost information developed for the project by the Architects. Construction cost estimating shall be the responsibility of the General Contractor and/or professional cost estimator. The Owner agrees and acknowledges that Scrafano Architects shall not in any way be responsible for providing any cost or budget estimates on this project and that Scrafano Architects shall not be held liable for any damages and/or claims arising out of, or relating to, such cost or budget estimates. Any review and/or evaluation by the Architects of cost data and budget estimates made by others shall not be interpreted as Scrafano Architects' approval and/or ramification of such cost, budgets or estimates.
Either party may terminate this agreement upon written notice, effective immediately. In such event, the Owner shall pay Scrafano Architects compensation for professional services and reimbursable expenses to termination date, plus all expenses directly attributable to termination for which Scrafano Architects has not otherwise been compensated, in accordance with the terms of this agreement. If Scrafano Architects terminates the agreement, and provided Scrafano Architects is not in breach, the Owner shall pay Architect's compensation for actual professional services rendered and reimbursable expenses incurred prior and up to the termination date. If termination occurs, Scrafano Architects will provide the Owner with copies of all design and research materials to date.
The Owner shall indemnify and hold harmless the Architects from any and all liability, loss, or damage which the Architects may incur in connection with any claims made against the Architects regarding the project and/or any contract entered into between the Owner and the Architects, unless such claims arise solely from the negligence, malfeasance, breach or default of the Architects in performing under this agreement. Should the Architects incur any such liability, loss or damage as a result of such a claim, or in defense against any such claim, the amount thereof, including costs, expenses, and reasonable fees of the Architects' attorney, together with interest thereon as provided by law, shall be paid by the Owner or shall be reimbursed by the Owner to the Architects. The Architects shall hold harmless and indemnify the Owner against injury, loss or damage arising as the direct result of the sole negligence, malfeasance or breach of the Architects in performing under this agreement.
The Owner and Architects have discussed the risks, rewards and benefits of this project. The risks have been allocated such that The Owner hereby agrees that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Architects, and the Architects' employees, consultants and agents, total maximum liability to the Owner, and to all Construction Contractors and Subcontractors, in any way associated with the project, shall be limited to the total fees paid to the Architects in effect at the time of any claim. Such causes include but are not limited to negligence, errors, omissions, strict liability, or breach of contract. Additional coverage may be obtained at the expense of the Owner. Failure to exercise the option for additional coverage waives any claim of liability beyond such limits. The Owner agrees to require of the Contractor a similar limitation of the Architects' liability to the Contractor and to the Contractor's Subcontractors due to the Architects' allegedly negligent act, errors or omissions.
If you find the foregoing proposal satisfactory, simply sign and return a copy as authorization to proceed. This agreement may be changed by written agreement signed for the Architects and for the Owner.
We would very much enjoy working with you to realize the potential of your project. Everything in our power will be done to satisfy your requirements, and to make the project enjoyable for you as well. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Elissa Scrafano
Principal Scrafano Architects
Accepted by: Client, Date
Accepted by: Elissa Scrafano,/Scrafano Architects, Date
