Aeguidelines For Costing
Aeguidelines For Costing
Aeguidelines For Costing
Building Projects
When budgeting for state capital projects, the estimated value of the Architectural/Engineering (A/E)
Basic Services fee (Exhibit A) can be determined by using these fee guidelines. The guidelines are
divided into three levels determined by the type and complexity of the building. They are used in the
preparation of capital budget requests for Washington State public works building projects under the
jurisdiction of the Department of Enterprise Services, universities, natural resource agencies, and the
Department of Transportation. A/E Basic Services are defined in this document.
The payment of A/E fees represents some of the most important dollars spent on a project. These
funds are an investment affecting both the quality and successful completion of a project. Recognizing
this, calculation of a fee structure to obtain quality design at a reasonable cost presents a challenge.
There are pros and cons associated with any system used to set fees, and there is great variation in the
types and complexity of state construction projects.
These fee guidelines originally were the outcome of a study coordinated by the Office of Financial
Management (OFM) to review other fee guidelines and identify approaches used by other states. The
study included state agencies, the Washington Council of the American Institute of Architects,
American Council of Engineering Companies of Washington, and state universities. State agencies
documented examples within state government where the existing fee system posed problems, and they
proposed changes that would improve the state system. Higher education agencies provided evaluations
of the scope, magnitude, and methods used to establish fees for design services at peer institutions.
Updates to the fee guidelines also have considered issues raised by the design community.
Agencies may choose to pay design consultant fees or allow extra and other charges in a manner other
than described in these guidelines, and any additional cost (above the level provided by the guidelines)
may be paid from other agency resources.
The fee schedule is used to prepare capital budget requests. The actual contracts for basic services
payable to the A/E shall be a negotiated fixed amount or percentage of the construction cost of the
project not including fees; licenses; permits; sales taxes; and change orders caused by A/E errors or
omissions, or change orders which do not require design consultant services. Based on the specific
circumstances of each project, the final negotiated fee may be above or below the guidelines shown on
the schedule. In addition to the basic services fee, allowances will be negotiated for services not
covered in the basic services contract.
Guidelines for Determining Architect/Engineering Fees for Public Works Building Projects
Remodel Design
A/E costs and effort may vary greatly between individual remodeling projects of the same dollar
amount. Consequently, each project will be analyzed on an individual basis. As a general rule, the fee
will be based upon the building type classification. When program changes are significant or if
warranted by other conditions, fees noted under those schedules may be increased by up to three percent
for basic services. Factors to be considered include:
• Age and character of the building
• Availability and accuracy of existing plans and specifications
• Extent and type of program revisions
• Requirement to maintain the building's existing character
• Extent of mechanical and electrical involvement
Phased construction in occupied buildings may substantially affect the construction schedule. More
field observation and coordination may require consideration of additional fees beyond the basic
services contract amount.
Fee Modifications
It is recognized that there may be considerable variance between projects of a similar size and type that
may necessitate modification of the A/E fee schedule. Examples of special circumstances that may
necessitate such modifications include:
• Unusual site conditions
• Unique problems requiring specialized or extensive consulting services
• Renovations required by additions to an existing structure
• Unusually slow or fast development schedule (fast track, design build, GC/CM)
• Contractor design (fire protection systems)
• Large portions of work outside the control of the prime architect (wetlands mitigation)
Other circumstances where a fee modification may be appropriate include the following:
Repetitive Design
Where all or part of a project is a site adaptation of a previous design, the basic services fee shall be
negotiated, recognizing the reduced level of services. This usually reduces the program analysis,
design, and bidding document preparation costs to an amount necessary to update the documents
for site work, code revisions, etc. Reductions must be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Prototype Design
The initial design of a prototype facility, such as a housing unit at an institution, may warrant a full
design fee based on the previous development of the prototype. However, the fee for A/E basic
services for all additional replications of the prototype constructed at the same time or at other
locations in the future shall be calculated at 40 percent of full fees.
The fee structure should be appropriate for each project, regardless of the location of the consultant.
The basic services fee includes all travel costs associated with the performance of basic services within
a 50-mile radius of the project. General expenses for the cost of travel and per diem between 50 and
350 miles shall be based on state rates and may be reimbursable to the extent they are reasonable and
negotiated within the A/E agreement. Travel expenses beyond 350 miles for both the agency and
consultants must be justified in writing when submitting a budget request to OFM.
Extra services are not intended as an adjustment to basic services and should reflect actual anticipated
cost. The following provides a guideline for evaluating the pricing of Extra and Other services, and
establishing the eligibility of reimbursable expenses.
Multiplier Negotiated rate within a range of 2 to 3.2 times employee direct base salary
(not including fringe benefits, taxes, retirement contributions, or profit
sharing).
Employees of Firm Negotiated rate not to exceed a maximum of $150 per hour.
Principal of Firm A Principal is defined as a partner of a partnership, a stockholder of a
corporation, or a duly authorized officer. The negotiated rate is not to exceed
$200 per hour.
Special Consulting When special consulting services not normally associated with traditional
Services project design are necessary, the fee may be outside of the above guidelines
(such as expert witness or special investigations).
Service Charge on Sub- Ten percent service charge may be added to work incorporated by addenda to
Consultant the original agreement.
Alternative Cost Studies Additional costing beyond the parametric estimates required in basic
services as requested by the agency.
Energy Life Cycle Cost All projects over 25,000 square feet are required by Chapter 39.35 RCW to
Analysis (ELCCA) be analyzed for the cost of energy consumption and operation during its
entire economic life.
Life Cycle Cost Analysis All projects valued over $5,000,000 or projects constructing new building
(LCCA) space over 5,000 square feet are required to perform a life cycle cost
analysis to evaluate the total cost of ownership for the building or building
system. Agencies will utilize the Life Cycle Cost Tool (LCCT) which
standardizes rates and methodology to perform the analysis.
Commissioning and Cost to the A/E of assembly, tabulation, and indexing of all shop drawings
Training and submittals on all equipment, controls, systems, and participating in an
independent commissioning of the project and providing initial operator
training on the maintenance of systems.
Consultant Selection Cost Additional costs for private sector members of a selection committee if
required (Chapter 39.80 RCW).
Specialty Consultants Cost of only those additional consultant services beyond A/E services
provided under basic services. Specialty consultants include, but are not
limited to:
• Acoustical Consultant
• Civil Engineering additional services may include:
♦ Studies, reports, and calculations required to determine adequacy
of existing systems or those required for permit review such as
drainage, fire protection, or sewer
♦ Storm drainage design and connections
♦ Design or study of issues for "sensitive areas" such as wetlands,
steep slopes, or flood plains
♦ Water supply connections to wells, treatment systems, storage,
and off-site main extensions
♦ Sanitary sewer design and infrastructure
♦ Road and pavement improvements
♦ Storm water quality and quantity computations, reports, design
and details
♦ Temporary erosion and sediment control reports and drawings
♦ Special studies and reports for other agencies
• Communications Consultant
• Cost Estimating Consultant
• Electronic/Audio Visual Consultant
• Elevator Consultant
• Hazardous Material Consultant
• Hospital/Laboratory Consultant Interior
• Design Consultant Indoor Air Quality
• Consultant Kitchen Consultant
• Landscape Consultant
• Quality Control Consultant Security Consultant
Geotechnical Investigation Cost of subsurface testing and evaluation.
Commissioning Cost of an independent commissioning of the project.
HVAC Balancing Cost to balance systems.
Site Survey Cost of conducting a survey independent from design A/E.
Testing Cost of a technician's services in acquiring and testing samples of materials
used in the project as required in the state building code.
Energy LCCA Review Fee to be paid for review of the energy life cycle cost analysis.
Value Engineering Cost for performing the required value engineering study on a project by an
independent multi-disciplined team.
Constructability Cost for an independent consultant or contractor to review bid documents and
Review/Plan Check determine if a project can be built as designed.
Graphics Cost of special graphic and signage design.
Design/Code Plan Check Cost of an independent plan check if not available within the local
jurisdiction.
Other Costs for requested documents, fax expenses, and special mail service when
requested by owner.
D. Non-Eligible Expenses
• Consultants hired at A/E's option to perform basic services required by contract.
• Postage and handling of submittals, bid documents, correspondence, etc.
• Telephone expenses (local calls and line service).
• Copies of documents used by the A/E to perform normal services and not provided to owner.