t's & c's
1. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Agreement is the offer of WhiteBox Architecture Ltd (herein referred to as “the Architect”), to perform the consulting services described in the attached Scope of Services. Acceptance by the Client is strictly limited to the attached Proposal and these Terms and Conditions for Architectural Services, which when acknowledged in writing, is authorization to proceed. The Client is defined as the person or business entity signing the Agreement authorizing the Architect to proceed.
This Agreement supersedes all prior written proposals and/or negotiations not referenced herein between the parties and is expressly conditioned upon the Client’s agreement of the Terms and Conditions hereof. This Agreement may only be modified in writing executed by both parties.
2. SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED
The services to be performed are described in the preceding Scope of Services. Unless otherwise specified in the Scope of Services or the Terms and Conditions, the Architect shall furnish all technical and professional services, including labour, materials, supplies, equipment, transportation and supervision to perform all tasks listed in the Scope of Services and in accordance with the target schedule.
3. COMPENSATION
The attached Proposal describes the tasks, phases and compensation terms. Terms of Payment. Invoices shall be submitted upon completion of a phase or monthly based on percentage complete at that time. Payments are due upon the Client’s receipt of invoice. Amounts that are unpaid thirty (30) days after the invoice date shall bear interest at the rate of eight percent (8%) per month.
Payments Withheld. No deductions shall be made from the Architect’s compensation on account of penalty, liquidated damages or other sums withheld from payments to the contractor(s), or on account of the costs of changes in the contractor’s services other than those which the Architect is adjudged to be liable. Suspension. If any payment is more than thirty (30) days past due, the Architect may, after giving seven (7) days written notice to the Client, suspend services under this Agreement until the Architect is paid in full all amounts due for services, expenses, and other charges. Additionally, in the event of suspension, the Client shall waive all rights, claims, etc. which it might otherwise have against the Architect as a direct or indirect result of such suspension.
4. ADDITIONAL SERVICES
All Additional Services shall be approved by the Client and the Architect in writing prior to proceeding. The following are Additional Services that are not specified above and are considered beyond the basic Scope of Services.
Master Planning. The Architect may assist the Client in developing and preparing a long term Master Plan. All work associated with the Master Plan, including all preliminary design work, shall be considered an Additional Service.
Construction Management Services. The Architect may assist the client in estimating the cost of construction, scheduling the work of the contractors and managing the construction process. Construction Management Services shall be considered Additional Services.
Redesign to meet Project Budget Costs. The Client is responsible to establish Project Budget Costs and obtain required cost estimates. If the Architect is not contracted to provide cost estimating services, the Architect shall not be liable to redesign to meet the project budget costs. If redesign is required due to revised or miscalculated project budget costs furnished by a party other than the Architect, or at the demand of the Client without due necessity, the time required shall be considered Additional Services.
Interior Design Services. The Architect may assist the Client in the selection of plumbing fixtures, plumbing fittings, hardware, appliances, kitchen cabinets, decorative lighting, tile, stone slabs, furniture, fabric, carpets, paint colours, artwork, accessories, etc. Interior Design Services shall be considered Additional Services.
Built-in Joinery. The Architect may design built-in joinery, such as bookshelves, audio/video cabinets, window seats, computer workstations, etc. The design of such built-in woodwork shall be considered Additional Services.
Purchasing through the Office of the Architect. Products and materials such as plumbing fixtures, plumbing fittings, hardware, appliances, kitchen cabinets, decorative lighting, tile, stone slabs, furniture, fabric, carpets, paint colours, artwork, accessories, etc., may be purchased through the office of the Architect. The full trade discount, as applicable, shall be forwarded to the Client. A coordination and handling fee of twenty percent (20%) shall be applied to the cost of all items purchased through the office of the Architect.
3D Modelling. The Architect may develop and prepare a three dimensional computer model and/or physical scale model of the proposed project for the Client. All 3D modelling shall be considered Additional Services.
Engineering. Based upon the particular needs of the Client, engineering services may be required for heating, air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, structural calculations, site planning, grading, septic systems and/or fire suppression. Engineering services are not included in this Agreement unless
stated otherwise in the Scope of Services. If Engineering Services are incorporated into the Scope of Services, and it has been determined that the Engineer (or consultant) has made an error or omission, the Client shall seek legal remedy from the Engineer (or consultant) directly, without participation by the Architect, unless stated otherwise in the Scope of Services.
Coordination of Consultants’ and/or Client’s Work. Any coordination of Work performed directly by the Client or work performed by consultants hired by the Client, including but not limited to structural engineers, mechanical engineers, kitchen designers, landscape designers, interior design consultants, audio/video consultants, lighting designers, etc., shall be considered Additional Services.
Fees for Additional Services. The Architect may provide Additional Services beyond those listed in the Scope of Services by a negotiated sum or on an hourly basis. The Architect’s hourly rates are as follows:
Principal / Architect / Designer £120+vat per hour
Project Manager / Construction Mgr £100+vat per hour
Project Staff / Draftsperson £85+vat per hour
Clerical Staff £45+vat per hour
Hourly rates specified above are valid for one (1) year from the date listed on the Scope of Services and shall be increased five percent (5%) on the first day of the subsequent year to reflect market conditions, employee benefits and salary compensation.
Reimbursable Expenses. Reimbursable expenses shall include, but not be limited to, consultants’ fees, printing, reproductions, bulk copying, photographic services, long distance telephone calls, postage, shipping, delivery, long distance travel expenses, lodging, meals and/or other project related out-of-pocket expenses. Items shall be reimbursed to the Architect at cost plus ten percent (10%), unless a specific cost is listed below:
Large format prints (B&W) A1 £6.00 each
A2 £4.00 each
A3 £2.50 Each
Travel mileage rate (2014) £0.50 per mile
5. CLIENT’S RESPONSIBILITIES
Project Budget. The Client shall establish a budget with reasonable contingencies that meets the project requirements. The project budget shall be established by the Client prior to the Architect proceeding with the Scope of Services.
Base Building Drawings and/or Surveys. Unless otherwise specified, Base Building Drawings and/or Surveys are not included in the Scope of Services. The Architect shall assume that the Base Building Drawings and Surveys, if required, shall be readily available. The Architect assumes all information on these documents are accurate and are not responsible for any information completed by others.
Project Representative. The Client shall appoint and authorize a Project Representative to answer questions and make timely decisions (within five (5) business days). The Architect assumes that the Client shall be the Project Representative unless the Client notifies the Architect, in writing, that another Project Representative has been appointed. If the Client replaces or selects a new Project Representative, any time spent by the Architect to bring the new Project Representative current shall represent Additional Services.
Cost Estimates. If the Architect is not contracted to provide cost estimating services, the Client shall employ a contractor or construction cost estimating consultant to provide cost estimating services. The Architect and its consultants do not warranty, guarantee or certify the construction cost for the project or any part of the project.
Selection of Qualified Contractor(s). If the Architect is not contracted to provide Construction Management Services, the Client shall select a qualified contractor(s) with a minimum of three (3) years of construction experience in work similar in nature to the Project Description located in the immediate vicinity. The contractor shall provide a minimum of three (3) references as mutually agreed upon by the Client and the Architect. Consultants. The Client shall furnish the services of consultants when such services are requested by the Architect and are reasonably required by the Scope of Services.
6. SCHEDULE
The Architect shall commence work on this project within twenty (20) business days of authorization to proceed. Immediately upon commencement, the Architect shall prepare a mutually acceptable schedule for the delivery of the project. Professional fees developed for this project shall be based on this schedule. Modifications, such as accelerated schedules, project delays or extensions, which are not under the control of the Architect, are subject to an increase in the Architect’s compensation.
7. OWNERSHIP OF DOCUMENTS
All documents prepared or furnished by the Architect pursuant to this Agreement are instruments of the Architect’s professional service, and the Architect shall retain an ownership and property interest therein. The Architect grants the Client a license to use instruments of the Architect’s professional service for the purpose of constructing, occupying and maintaining this specific Project. Reuse and/or modification of any such documents, without the Architect’s written permission, shall be at the Client’s sole risk, and the Client agrees to indemnify and hold the Architect harmless from all claims, damages and expenses, including solicitors fees, arising out of such reuse and/or modification by the Client or by others acting through the Client. Notice of Copyright. All ideas, designs, arrangements and/or plans indicated or represented by the Architect’s drawings will be created, evolved and developed for use on this specific Project. None such ideas, designs, arrangements and/or plans shall be used by or disclosed to any purpose whatsoever without the written permission of the Architect.
8. PUBLICITY
The Architect and its consultants shall have the right to photograph the Project and to use the photographs in the promotion of its professional service through publication, advertising, public relations, brochures, websites, or other marketing media.
9. INSURANCE, INDEMNITY AND LIMITATIONS
Insurance. The Architect shall maintain Public and Professional Liability Insurance throughout the period of this Agreement. Certificates of insurance are available on request. The expense of any additional insurance coverage or increased policy limits of liability beyond, including professional liability insurance, requested by the Client in excess of the standard coverage of the Architect and its consultants shall be borne by the Client.
Limitation of Liability. For any damage on account or error, omission or other professional negligence, the Architect’s liability shall be limited to the Architect’s fee received under this Agreement.
Waiver of Consequential Damage. The Architect and the Client waive consequential damage for claims, disputes and other matters in question arising out of or relating to this Agreement. This mutual waiver is applicable, without limitation, to all consequential damages due to either party’s termination in accordance with the provisions defining termination.
Hazardous Substances. The Architect shall not be responsible for the identification, removal, testing and/or certification of removal relative to any hazardous substance including, but not be limited to, PCB, petroleum, mould infestation, hazardous waste, asbestos, lead, and any other similar substances. The Architect and the Client acknowledge that the Scope of Services does not include any items related to a Hazardous Environmental Condition.
Unforeseen, Latent or Hidden Conditions. Unforeseen, latent or hidden conditions may not be readily ascertainable regardless of the extent of the investigation. Such conditions may impact the design and necessitate extensive revisions to the design. When architectural services are required to address these conditions, those services shall be deemed Additional Services.
10. STANDARD OF PRACTICE
Services performed by the Architect under this Agreement shall be conducted in a manner consistent with the level of care and skill ordinarily exercised by members of their respective professions practicing in the same locality under similar conditions. No other representation, expressed or implied, and no warranty or guarantee is included or intended in this Agreement, or any report, opinion, document, or otherwise.
11. DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Mediation and Arbitration. It is mutually agreed that the terms of this Agreement shall be binding upon parties and their successors, executors, administrators and assigns. Any dispute or claim arising in connection with this Agreement shall be submitted to Mediation for resolution in accordance with guidelines currently in place with the Royal Institute of British Architects.
12. DEFINITIONS
Construction Cost. Construction Cost shall be the total cost or, to the extent the Project is not completed, the estimated cost to the Client of all elements of the Project designed, selected or specified by the Architect. Construction Cost does not include the compensation of the Architect and the Architect’s consultants or any other costs that are the responsibility of the Client as provided in this Agreement.
13. RIGHT TO CANCEL
The consumer client has the right to cancel any agreement for any reason by delivering or sending (including electronic mail) a cancellation notice to us any time within fourteen days of the agreement. Any works undertaken prior to cancellation will be chargeable.
14. COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE:
Most complaints are the result of misunderstandings. In the event of a complaint relating to our performance, the first step is to write to us marking the communication for the attention of the Practice Secretary. Where the complaint is initially made orally, you will be asked to send a written summary of your complaint.
Once the Practice Secretary has reviewed your written summary of the complaint, we will contact you in writing within fourteen days to inform you of our understanding of the circumstances leading to your complaint. You will be invited to make any comments that you may have in relation to this. Within a further twenty-eight days we will advise you of the outcome of our investigation and inform you what actions have been or will be taken.
If you are still dissatisfied, please write to Phillip Armstrong, Managing Director, Whitebox Architecture Ltd, setting out the reasons for your dissatisfaction.
Within twenty one days, he will write to you to advise the outcome of his review of your complaint and to let you know what further actions have been or will be taken.
If you remain dissatisfied with any aspect of our handling of your complaint, it can be referred to either of our governing bodies.