Selection and agreement

Engaging your Spanish architect

To best meet the client's needs, Spanish architects compete on the basis of their ability to provide the required services at a professional standard of quality, not on the basis of fees. Given that the architectural fees represent such a minute portion of the overall investment you are making over the lifetime of your project, it doesn’t pay to short-change yourself. A good Spanish architect will be providing you with the necessary services to provide you with the most successful results. Good Spanish architects are on an appropriate balance of skill, experience, imagination, innovation, sensitivity and ability to perform on schedule and within a construction budget consistent with your needs. Once you have selected your Spanish architect, and have jointly established the range of services you will require, it is relatively simple to negotiate a fair fee.

Fees

Once you have selected your Spanish architect, it’s recommended that you discuss in detail the list of services which you will need for your project. Your Spanish architect can prepare a Detailed Task List setting out each of the services you agree will be provided. He will then present to you the fee necessary to provide that range of services. If you feel the fee is not manageable for you, you and your architect can discuss eliminating services, and reducing the fee, until it is acceptable. While it may be tempting to simply continue to reduce levels of service in order to bring down the fee, remember that it is in your ultimate best interest to make sure your architect will be able to provide the necessary level of service to protect you and your investment, and meet the standards of service established by the profession in Spain.

Obligations and Responsibilities

Architect's Essentials of Contract Negotiation (The Architect's Essentials of Professional Practice) by Ava J. Abramowitz (2002-04-09)

Any business or professional relationship is bound to be most successful and rewarding when there exists a clear understanding of the expectations of the parties. The relationship between client and architect is no exception. Once you have established the scope of services which your Spanish architect will provide, the fee which you will pay him, and the other responsibilities each one will have related to the project, put it in writing. Your Spanish architect can draft the agreement based on your negotiations and discussions. Carefully review each clause to ensure that you understand the details, and clarify any miscommunication. Customize the agreement to reflect the details of, for example, the scope of services your architect will provide, and the information about the project or site which you will be providing. You can obtain legal advice at your option before formally execute the agreement to start your project.