Scope of services, fee proposal, negotiation and contract

Defining the Scope

After the Selection of your Architect in Spain

The success of a project will depend directly upon the proper identification of the scope of work. After successfully completing the selection of your architect, he and you will have to jointly review and define the scope of work and overall parameters of the project, including the terms and conditions of the contract. Once an agreement has been reached on these matters, your architect will develop and submit a detailed work plan. You and your architect will have to review this work plan and jointly determine the scope of services for the project.

Fee Proposal and Negotiation

Once an agreement on the scope of services and work plan has been reached, your architect will prepare and submit a fee proposal for review. The use a work breakdown structure and detailed task list can facilitate the development of the scope of services and fees. In addition to better defining and customizing the services and fees for a particular project, the use of the work breakdown structure will ensure that all personnel involved in the preparation of the proposal are following the same parameters. The work breakdown structure and detailed task list will form the basis of the final scope of services and fee proposal.

If the fee proposal is accepted, both parties will enter into an agreement by signing the contract. If an agreement is not reached, both parties can return to the negotiation of the scope of services and fee. If for any reason an agreement cannot be reached, negotiations will be terminated.

Signing the Contract

Normally, the contract will include the services provided, the fee for those services, the client responsibilities, and the terms and conditions which govern the contract. In addition to identifying the value and contribution of both parties, the contract should be a balanced document, treating both parties fairly, and must be designed to avoid conflict later on when it is discovered that the expectations of the parties to the contract may differ. One of the best investments of time is a careful, item-by-item discussion between you and your architect to define the scope of services and other terms and conditions of the contract.

Architect Daniel Trujillano
http://www.arquitectotrujillano.com/home.html
Architectural Services for Building Projects

Selecting a Spanish architect

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

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.

Additional services

Other architectural services

Additional services a Spanish architect can provide

Additional architectural services in Spain

A Spanish architect can do a lot more for his clients should the need arise:

• He can assist his client in finding the right site for the project or in comparing a number of sites
• He can prepare a feasibility analysis or ‘highest and best use study’ of a property the client already owns or is considering purchasing
• He is skilled at obtaining the many approvals required for construction in Spain: rezoning, minor variance, site plan agreement or approvals from specific committees, agencies or Ministries
• He can help his client coordinate a move from one location to another, including an inventory of furniture and equipment
• By carrying out a detailed review of client operations, he can assist his client in making more efficient use of space already owned, and help determine if renovation, additions or relocation may be necessary
• He might assess a building before a client invests, identifying necessary upgrades and their costs
• He can provide interior design services
• He can facilitate the engaging of the wide range of specialist consultants often necessary for today’s construction projects
• He might assist his client in obtaining financing
• He may provide complete project management services, from helping determine if there is need for construction, through the entire process of erecting then using the building, and may even help the client manage the facility through its lifetime of use

In other words, the list of services provided by Spanish architects, and highly-valued by their clients, is practically endless.

Some of the Services a Spanish Architect can Provide

Range of Services

Scope of Expertise of Spanish Architects

Planning a new building, renovating or restoring an old one, solving a particular functional or space planning problem, are all within the scope of the expertise of Spanish architects.

Traditional Services

A typical range of ‘traditional services’ for a project in Spain can include:

• Helping the client to understand and articulate needs and aspirations
• Developing the formal set of requirements for the project: the program
• Helping the client to establish a realistic and achievable budget and schedule for the project
• Providing the client with a list of required site information such as survey and soils information, and assisting the client in obtaining that information when requested
• Obtaining and coordinating structural, mechanical and electrical engineering services
• Preparing a comprehensive analysis of the requirements of Spanish authorities having jurisdiction, including zoning, site plan control, Building and Fire Codes
• Preparing concept or schematic design, sometimes several alternatives
• Reviewing those concepts with the client, and assisting the client in deciding on the most appropriate design
• Reconfirming the schedule and the budget
• Developing the selected design in more detail and reviewing it with the client, including any changes to the schedule or budget
• Preparing the detailed construction documents (plans and specifications) which will be used to apply for building permit, determine the construction cost, and build the project
• Help the client decide the most appropriate method of building: stipulated sum construction contract, construction management, design/build or other method
• Assist the client in obtaining bids, and executing the appropriate construction contract
• Administering the contract, and certifying payments to the constructor when they are due
• Carrying out general review during construction, reviewing random samples of the construction as it proceeds to assure that the project is being built in general conformity with the plans and specifications
• Identifying deficiencies in the work and facilitating their correction
• Helping the client to ‘take over’ the completed project, and showing the client how to use the building and its equipment
• assisting the client in getting warranty repairs if problems arise.