WHAT ARE THE LIMITS OF THE ARCHITECTURAL PROFESSIONAL’S SERVICES ?
THE ARCHITECTURAL PROFESSIONAL’S SERVICE
At the start of the project, a client has to appoint an architectural professional to provide a service for a project as contemplated by the Architectural Professions Act, Act No 44 of 2000 and the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act N0103 of 1977.
The architectural professional accepts the appointment to exercise reasonable professional skill, care and diligence in the performance of obligations, for an appropriate fee, and defined in formal agreement.
The architectural professional is then formally authorized to act on behalf of the client, and fulfills an architectural professional’s service using current standard contracts used in the industry. The professional enters into a contract of agency in a suitable agreement, typical agreements provide for a standard service and for partial services. The standard services and additional services are listed below as the following:
Standard Service:
In a standard service, which consists of six work stages, the Architectural Professional is appointed to fulfil the obligations provided for as architectural professional, principal consultant and principal agent, described as a ‘Full Service’. The essential functions of each work stage relevant to the service are identified herein as:
Stage 1: Inception
Stage 2: Concept and viability
Stage 3: Design development
Stage 4: Documentation and procurement
Stage 5: Construction
Stage 6: Close out
Partial Services:
Partial services may be agreed, the options most regularly utilized are:
- Appointed as architectural professional and principal consultant (not as principal agent)
- Appointed as design architectural professional (design only)
- Appointed as architectural professional of record (design by others, can be principal agent)
- Appointed as principal agent only
- Appointed as architectural professional to work stage 4.1 (documentation to achieve approval only)
- Appointed to perform additional services (formerly described as ‘supplementary services’)
Additional Services:
The following services are additional to the standard service and rank for Additional fees. These services may be added individually or in varying combinations and shall be provided by prior agreement between the client and the architectural professional:
Special design services:
- Rational design by other consultants – participate in the preparation of rational designs.
- Town planning and /or urban design
- Master planning
- Landscape design
- Interior design
- Liaison with special designers and specialist consultants
- Purpose-made items
- Promotional material and art work
- Plant operation and production layouts
Special management services
Special studies:
- Site selection
- Feasibility studies
- Environmental studies
- Energy analysis studies
- Market surveys
- Traffic studies
Work on existing premises:
- Heritage applications
- Surveys and inspections
- Restorations and renovations
- Demolition permits
