ARCHITECT'S IDEAS & ADVICE ON A TO Z OF HOUSE CONSTRUCTION IN INDIA

The Council of Architecture has prescribed the Scale of Charges under the Architects (Professional Conduct) Regulations, 1989. The documents stipulate the parameters within which the Architect is required to function. They prescribe the mandatory minimum Scale of Professional Charges with a view to making the Client fully aware of the fees of the 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.
The revised and latest version of these documents, which was approved by the Council at its 40th meeting are presented here. They reflect the Council’s response to the many challenges which the profession of Architecture is facing at present.

WHAT IS THE PROFESSIONAL FEE TO BE PAID TO AN ARCHITECT IN INDIA AS PER THE COUNCIL OF ARCHITECTURE?
The Council of Architecture has reviewed the matter of fees of Architects in depth. In consideration of the Comprehensive Professional Services rendered by the Architect, he shall be paid a professional fee and other charges in accordance with the Scale of Charges. The fees paid to the Architect are for:
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.

FEE STRUCTURE
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.

The fee 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.

For works costing upto Rs 15 Lakhs, the professional fees may be negotiable between the Architect and the Client.

In view of the importance of social housing, slum upgradation etc, the Architect’s fees are negotiable between the Architect and Client.

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.

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.

DEDUCTIONS
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.

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.

Any curtailment of the professional services, after the preliminary drawings 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.

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 REIMBURSIBLE EXPENSES TO BE PAID TO AN ARCHITECT IN INDIA?
In addition to the fee payable, the Client will reimburse the Architect towards actual expenses of the following:
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.
Actual lodging and boarding and local transport costs.
Cost of Presentation Drawings, Perspectives, models, computer simulation etc., if required by the Client.

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