The video @ 2:09 min states that: “the architect is responsible for providing estimates of the cost of the work at the end of each design phase,” and also @ 6:18 min the video states that: "the architect must prepare estimates of the cost of the work at various stages in the design phase. However, @ 4:57 min, the registered architect Joy Meek explained: “Historically, our office does not provide in-house cost estimating. We generally exclude that from our scope of work in our contracts.”
Question: If the architect must prepare estimates of the cost of the work at various stages, as per B101, how does her office have the option to decide not to provide cost estimating at least based on conceptual estimating techniques? The client could agree to hire a cost estimator or a CM for a detailed cost estimate, but he may ask the architect to comply with her/his responsibilities per B101.
I would appreciate your comments/clarification on this.
@patrickfinnigan @thomas @kiaragalicinao @coachchrishopstock
Would you mind commenting on the question above?
Thank you very much in advance.
Hi @ylourdes84,
Thank you for your patience in my response. The videos are correct in that the architect shall provide an estimate for the cost of the work, as outlined in AIA B101 Article 6 Cost of the Work. This is a high level estimate per the architect’s judgement as a design professional. Note § 4.1.1.12 Detailed cost estimating beyond that required in Section 6.3 is considered a supplemental service, if indicated in the agreement.
While the AIA contracts are the typical agreements used, they may be altered as long as all parties agree to the revised terms. This is not advised (as far as the ARE and NCARB are concerned), as the AIA contracts are intended to protect the architect and any revisions could pose additional risk to the architect. As the architect you reference explained, her office generally excludes cost estimating services in their contracts.
For ARE-purposes, I recommend that you focus on the terms outlined in the AIA contracts as they are, as this is what you will be tested on. While it does not always align perfectly with real life scenarios, it is important to understand the various situations you could be presented with.
Hope this helps!
Kiara Galicinao, AIA, NCARB
Black Spectacles
Hi Kiara - Thank you for your comments/recommendations and insights.