Typical Consulting Fees for Basic Services: In a written proposal, I set the fees for basic spec writing services based on the number and type of spec sections required and on the complexity of the project. To give a rough idea, fees for basic services typically happen to come out to about 0.1% of construction cost. The following factors will affect the final calculation for fees in a written proposal:
Factors which INCREASE fees:
• Renovation included in project
• Non AIA general conditions to be used for conditions of construction contract
• General contractor bid project as opposed to owner selected construction manager
• Multiple prime contracts rather than single prime contractor
• Fast track schedule (construction starts before construction documents are complete) to be used
• Multiple project manuals required rather than a single project manual (which may have multiple volumes)
• Owner is a government, higher education, or corporate hospitality entity
• Government funded project
• Project manual compilation by me rather than by architect or construction manager
• Full services scope (all division 00, 01, and 03-14 architectural sections) desired rather than basic service scope (defined list of sections)
Factors which DECREASE fees:
• Returning clients
• Green rated project
• Design development outline specifications not required
• Draft submittals schedule not required
• Nomenclature list not required
• First addendum not required
• Fixed fee rather than maximum fee
• Furniture and furnishings only
• Core and shell only
