Report comment

I want to start by saying that I am relatively new at this and dont have the wealth of experienced shown by many on this site but it seems to me that the 3 main issues are fee scales, services and speculative work (zero fees).

From what I understand both Germany and France have fee scales so why doesnt the UK? Don't lawyers and doctors have some form of fee scale? Werent the old fee scales based on providing all services (A-L) for a project of a certain size? This way the architect could establish what fee they would charge in accordance with what 'normal services' they were agreeing to carry out, irrespective of the politics and procurement route involved. If the client asks you to do the interiors or other work outside normal services you use the appointment and charge additionally. If you are told to appoint subconsultants use the appointment etc

The fee scale and a more rigorous use and understanding of services and the architects appointment should be brought in to combat zero fees. It seems to be that architects are continuously undercutting each other and underpaying their staff who are often working unpaid overtime. The argument against the fee scale is that 'idiots' who work for free will crash out, leaving only the good, sensible practices left standing. While that is true to some extent, those 'idiots' are also preventing the rest of the profession from getting paid work and are furthermore devaluing not only our fees but the value of the very services which we provide.

Finally ARB code : 9.1 'You should ensure that your professional finances are managed responsibly.' The ARB should take control of this and do something for the profession (for a change). Define 'responsible'. Bring in a minimum fee scale based on normal services which would be suicidal to go under (without unpaid overtime and unpaid part 1 students) and strike off from the register those that go below it for failing to be 'responsibe'.

A disgruntled monkey