A
conventional architectural agreement encompasses the phases
of schematic design, design development, construction documents,
bidding and negotiating, and construction administration,
in that order. Schematic design and design development take
the client from a set of predetermined programmed needs
to non-construction drawings that illustrate the basic concept
of the design in plan and elevation. The construction document
phase generally involves the push of multiple staff members
to produce a thorough set of construction-ready drawings
and specifications. During the bidding and negotiating phase
we help the client secure a contractor and negotiate the
price of the work. Cost-savings and value engineering sometimes
occur during this phase, and generally proceed in cooperation
with the architect, contractor, and client. Finally, during
construction administration, we field questions from the
contractor, document progress, oversee and approve changes
to the work, and approve pay requisitions.
