BCABD Member Fee Schedules
We asked BCABD members the following question and 94% said Yes.
Would Designers Like BCABD to Suggest Fees?
BCABD Members were asked to take a survey about fees and billing, here are some of the results…
How are Designers Determining Fees?
What Are Other Designers Charging Per Square Foot?
What Are Other Designers Charging Based on Percentage of Cost of Construction?
What Are Other Designers Charging by the Hour?
BCABD Suggested Fees
The fees below are suggested as minimum fees for Residential and Building Designers and are in no way binding upon BCABD members. We have arrived at these suggested fees by using the following criteria: 1) Results of the 2020-21 BCABD Compensation Survey in it’s entirety; 2) Comparison of fees being charged by other professionals providing similar services*; 3) Consultation with established and experienced Designers.
We recognize that Designers provide different levels of service and quality of work, and some designers can charge more than others because of reputation and experience. The results of our survey along with reports from the field have shown that a number of Designers are not charging enough for their services and are hurting the industry. In many cases this is due to an uncertainty as to what others are charging for similar work. These suggested fees will hopefully bring more consistency in our industry and allow for adequate compensation.
BCABD recommends using a percentage of the cost of construction as the basis for determining fees with the option to charge additional fees by the hour should the need arise. Basing fees on an estimated cost of construction more accurately takes into consideration the complexity of the project, the clients budget, and other factors that will determine the scope of work. For more information on how to estimate cost of construction follow this link.
Fee Schedules
The following are suggested minimum fees as quoted as a % of estimated construction cost.
Additions & Renovations
Service Level 1: Generally this service level is provided to building contractors or clients who provide detailed preliminary drawings and are not requiring in depth design interaction. This level of service includes essential client consultation, site visit, basic design services, drawings to minimum standards required for building permits and construction. License to use final design and drawings for one single build.
Service Level 2: Generally this service is provided for typical renovation or addition projects. This level of service includes client consultation, site visit(s), typical design services, detailed drawings required for building permits and construction. including additional details such as electrical layouts, multiple cross sections, 3D modelling, and consultation with other professionals. License to use final design and drawings for one single build.
Service Level 3: This level of service includes ongoing client consultation, site visit(s), typical design services, detailed drawings required for building permits and construction. including additional details such as electrical layouts, multiple cross sections, 3D modelling, and consultation with other professionals. Service level 3 also typically includes assistance with contracts and tenders, filing of permits, and provision of advice to client during construction (contract administration). This level of service is similar to the scope of work provided by an architect. License to use final design and drawings for one single build.
Note: General consultation during construction is generally provided as part of the standard fees to ensure that the plans and services provided meet the original agreed upon service. Additional consultation, modifications to drawings, or services not originally agreed upon in the original contract are normally billed hourly as an additional fee. It is important to include in your quote and contract a clause indicating that should the scope of work or size of home increase in size from that originally agreed upon then the designer reserves the right to amend the pricing to compensate. Multiple build licenses can be negotiated with the client and are typically 50% of the typical or original fee.
Single Family Homes
Service Level 1: Generally this service level is provided to building contractors or clients who provide detailed preliminary drawings and are not requiring in depth design interaction. This level of service includes essential client consultation, site visit, basic design services, drawings to minimum standards required for building permits and construction. License to use final design and drawings for one single build.
Service Level 2: Generally this service is provided for typical custom home, workshop, garage, or similar projects. This level of service includes client consultation, site visit(s), typical design services, detailed drawings required for building permits and construction. including additional details such as electrical layouts, multiple cross sections, 3D modelling, and consultation with other professionals. License to use final design and drawings for one single build.
Service Level 3: This level of service includes ongoing client consultation, site visit(s), typical design services, detailed drawings required for building permits and construction. including additional details such as electrical layouts, multiple cross sections, 3D modelling, and consultation with other professionals. Service level 3 also typically includes assistance with contracts and tenders, filing of permits, and provision of advice to client during construction (contract administration). This level of service is similar to the scope of work provided by an architect. License to use final design and drawings for one single build.
Note: General consultation during construction is generally provided as part of the standard fees to ensure that the plans and services provided meet the original agreed upon service. Additional consultation, modifications to drawings, or services not originally agreed upon in the original contract are normally billed hourly as an additional fee. It is important to include in your quote and contract a clause indicating that should the scope of work or size of home increase in size from that originally agreed upon then the designer reserves the right to amend the pricing to compensate. Multiple build licenses can be negotiated with the client and are typically 50% of the typical or original fee.
Multi-family Projects
Service Level 1: Generally this service is provided to building contractors or clients who provide detailed preliminary drawings and are handling all zoning and development permit requirements. This level of service includes essential client consultation, site visit, basic design services, drawings to minimum standards required for building permits and construction. License to use final design and drawings for one single build.
Service Level 2: Generally this level of service is typical when development and zoning requirements are handled by the designer. This level of service includes client consultation, site visit(s), typical design services, detailed drawings required for building permits and construction. including additional details such as electrical layouts, multiple cross sections, 3D modelling, and consultation with other professionals. License to use final design and drawings for one single build.
Service Level 3: This level of service includes ongoing client consultation, site visit(s), typical design services, detailed drawings required for building permits and construction. including additional details such as electrical layouts, multiple cross sections, 3D modelling, and consultation with other professionals. Service level 3 also typically includes assistance with contracts and tenders, filing of permits, and provision of advice to client during construction (contract administration). This level of service is similar to the scope of work provided by an architect. License to use final design and drawings for one single build.
Note: General consultation during construction is generally provided as part of the standard fees to ensure that the plans and services provided meet the original agreed upon service. Additional consultation, modifications to drawings, or services not originally agreed upon in the original contract are normally billed hourly as an additional fee. It is important to include in your quote and contract a clause indicating that should the scope of work or size of home increase in size from that originally agreed upon then the designer reserves the right to amend the pricing to compensate. Multiple build licenses can be negotiated with the client and are typically 50% of the typical or original fee.
Commercial Buildings
Service Level 1: Generally this service is provided to building contractors or clients who provide detailed preliminary drawings and are handling all zoning and development permit requirements. This level of service includes essential client consultation, site visit, basic design services, drawings to minimum standards required for building permits and construction. License to use final design and drawings for one single build.
Service Level 2: Generally this level of service is typical when development and zoning requirements are handled by the designer. This level of service includes client consultation, site visit(s), typical design services, detailed drawings required for building permits and construction. including additional details such as electrical layouts, multiple cross sections, 3D modelling, and consultation with other professionals. License to use final design and drawings for one single build.
Service Level 3: This level of service includes ongoing client consultation, site visit(s), typical design services, detailed drawings required for building permits and construction. including additional details such as electrical layouts, multiple cross sections, 3D modelling, and consultation with other professionals. Service level 3 also typically includes assistance with contracts and tenders, filing of permits, and provision of advice to client during construction (contract administration). This level of service is similar to the scope of work provided by an architect. License to use final design and drawings for one single build.
Note: General consultation during construction is generally provided as part of the standard fees to ensure that the plans and services provided meet the original agreed upon service. Additional consultation, modifications to drawings, or services not originally agreed upon in the original contract are normally billed hourly as an additional fee. It is important to include in your quote and contract a clause indicating that should the scope of work or size of home increase in size from that originally agreed upon then the designer reserves the right to amend the pricing to compensate. Multiple build licenses can be negotiated with the client and are typically 50% of the typical or original fee.
Suggested Hourly Rates
The following are suggested minimum hourly rates.
Draftsperson: $85.00 per hour
Designer: $100.00 per hour
Senior Designer: $150.00 per hour
Modification to Stock or Online Home Designs
Stock or Online Designs are protected by international copyright laws and modification of these plans without consent in writing from the original designer is in violation of those laws and leaves the builder, home owner, and designer open to serious fines. Recent copyright infringement lawsuits have awarded the original designer damages equivalent to the entire profit of the project by the designer and builder. When approached by a client to redraw or modify plans online all ethical designers will take the necessary steps to purchase the rights to the original design for the construction of one building. The common practice in the industry is to purchase the PDF or CAD file plan set which comes with a license agreement giving the rights to the design. All BCABD members have agreed to the Code of Ethics which requires conformance to the copyright laws and respect for other designers. When approached by a client who is asking for a redraw or modifications to another designers plans, you will need to inform them that they will have to purchase the rights to the design before you can begin. In many case the plans provided by the original designer will have many details that will make your work easier, so you may be able to offer a discount for the time you will save on the project after you have reviewed the plans. Most clients will accept this is part of the design process and when the copyright is explained will want to cooperate. Modifications can be billed by the hour or by percentage of cost of construction.
We are interested in hearing from our members, please feel free to provide feedback on the fee schedule.