INTRODUCTION TO STANDARD AGREEMENTS, SCHEDULES AND RELATED DOCUMENTS, SCALE

OF ARCHITECTS FEE AND SALARY OF ENTRY LEVEL ARCHITECT

PREAMBLE
The objective of this document is to provide Architects and the prospective Clients an understanding of the conditions
for engagements for different types of services Architects provide & the scale of professional fees for the services.
Institute of Architects Bangladesh would be pleased to assist its members or any other person interested in availing
professional services of an Architect.
The successful completion of a project requires a clear understanding of the Clients requirements, the nature of
services the Client requires and the responsibility of all parties involved.
The Architects primary professional responsibility is to act as the Clients advisor and assist him at all stages of
design and construction of a building, interior, landscape and urban design project.
The Client has an important role too. He must provide adequate information on the project, the site, his budget and
fully understand and approve the Architects proposals & services at different stages of the Works.
The most successful projects are those done in an atmosphere of mutual understanding & goodwill. Clear statement
of Client & Architects obligations to each other are fundamental to the creation of such an atmosphere, and is
essential for the success of any project. Therefore, the Agreement that goes with all contracts should fully define the
services, responsibilities and the basis of fees. If the Agreement is not comprehensive it may create uncertainties for
either or both the parties during the course of the assignment.
The demands of the profession over the years have become much more complex in nature and much wider in scope.
However in its broadened scope and baffling complexity, Architecture has generated specializations such as Unban
Design, Landscape Architecture and Interior Architecture. Architectural Conservation, Construction Management
have also lately emerged as specializations. Each of these compliments and supports each other.
The services of an Architect during the normal course of a building project are described as Architects
Comprehensive Services. These are common to large and small projects and none of the phases should be omitted
if the project is to be completed successfully.
Some Clients may require partial services like Architecture and Allied Design Services or only Architectural
Design Services. The scope of such curtailed services should also be defined in the Conditions of Engagement
between the Architect and his Client.
Moreover, Architects also need the services from different disciplines of allied services or may need to form Joint
Venture Partnership with another Architect or another Professional. Therefore, to protect the interest of all the parties,
it is important to have a written contract with clearly defined roles and scopes of those services.
SYNOPSIS
To fulfill the Objects (ka), (cha) & (ja) of IAB Constitution and to promote professionalism, the following Standard
Contracts, Conditions of Engagements, Recommended Scales Fees & Reimbursable Expenses and the related
documents have been formulated by IAB.
This Synopsis is a quick reference for understanding and determining the appropriate usage of each of the Standard
Contracts and the Conditions of Engagements for different types of services, Scale of Fees & Reimbursable
Expenses formulated by the Institute of Architects Bangladesh.
IAB has identified two (2) types of standard agreements, two (2) types of model agreements and 7 different types of
conditions of engagements needed by the Practicing Members of IAB. The document along with the scale of
minimum fees, schedules and specimen documents are needed for providing Architects professional services. The
standard agreement between the client and the architect and the different types of conditions of engagements are
developed on the basis of the Conditions for Engagement of Architects first published in the IAB Directory in the year
2003. This 2016 edition is the first edition of the standard agreements, conditions of engagements and other related
specimen documents.

1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4

1.5

At the outset of the contact with the prospective Client, the Architect must gather the basic data of the
project from him, visit the site; know the site area and the type of building the Client wishes to build, his
expectations about the standard of construction and finishes of the project.

The Architect then must present this brief document and explain to him the types and scopes of services the
Architect may offer and about his professional obligations to have agreement for providing his services as
architect and use any of the 7 (seven) different standard conditions of engagements and derive his
professional fees and charges on the basis of IAB recommended scale of fees and charges.

After the initial discussion, based on the data gathered from the prospective Client, the Architect shall
present the Initial Information along with his fee & reimbursable espenses for such services on the following
tabular form, which shall be eventually included in the agreement. This information will help the prospective
Client to understand and reach to a decision about whether he has the financial resources to undertake the
project and pay for the services he wishes to avail.
Name of the Project:
Address and location of the Project
Land use type of the site as per DAP/AAP
{Not Applicable for interior design projects}
Occupancy type of the building(s) as per local building rules or BNBC,
whichever is applicable.
{Not Applicable for landscape architecture projects}
Floor Area Ratio (FAR) as per rules, if applicable
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1.6
1.7
1.8
1.9

1.10

1.11

Total area of the project site/floor as per information provided by the Client
Building height permitted under local building rules or by CAA
{Not Applicable for interior design projects}
Maximum ground coverage permitted under local building rules.
{Not Applicable for interior design projects}
Estimated total floor area of the building(s), including basement(s), if any,
required by the Client or permitted under the local building rules
{Not Applicable for landscape architecture projects}
Estimated unit area rates of gross construction cost of the project based
on IAB recommended estimated unit area rates or mutually agreed
current market rates
Estimated budget of the Project based on the above mentioned estimated
unit area rates

Architects Scope of Services and Corresponding Professional Fee & Reimbursable Expenses mutually
agreed between the Parties on the basis of recommended rates of the attached Schedule B111
2.0
Write the agreed applicable fee as % of construction cost or write Not Applicable (N/A) on the right column
2.1 Only Architectural Design Services
2.2 Only Architectural & Allied Design Services
below the services
to be availed
2.2.1
Architectural Design & Master Planning
2.2.2
HVAC Systems
2.2.3
Electrical Distribution Systems
2.2.4
Lighting Systems
2.2.5
Communications-Including Voice Data, Video & A/V Systems
2.2.6
Plumbing & Drainage Systems
2.2.7
Fire Alarm Systems
2.2.8
Fire Protection Systems
2.2.9
Elevators & Escalators
2.2.10
Security Systems
2.2.11
Building Management System (BMS)
2.2.12
Interior Design Services
2.2.13
Landscape Architecture Services
2.2.14
Other Design Services, if any (specify)
2.3 Architects Comprehensive Services
(In addition to the above mentioned design services following additional
services are part of Architects Comprehensive Services)
2.3.1
Preparation of Design Brief
2.3.2
Preparation of Bill of Quantities(BoQ), Specifications
2.3.3
Preparation of Tender/Bid Documents
2.3.4
Tender/Bid Evaluation
2.3.5
Periodic Inspection of Construction as per Contract
2.3.6
Any Other Additional Service
2.4 Interior Design Services
2.5 Landscape Architecture Services
2.6 Urban Design Services scope is elaborated in Clause 2.0 the Schedule-A106
When Interior Design & Landscape Architecture Services are provided as Contingent to ArchitectsServices
described in 2.2 or 2.3 above, Fee for that Particular Service shall apply
2.7 Earthworks & Land Development Related Design Services
2.8 Equipment & Machineries Related Design Services
2.9 Design of Identical Buildings in the Same Campus/Site
2.10 Design of Identical Building on Different Campuses/Sites
3.0
Services with Man-Month Fees as Multiplier of Gross Salary Per Month X Number of Staffs
3.1 Full Time Site Representatives With 2-5 Years Experience
2.0 X gross salary
3.2 Full Time Site Representatives With 6-10 Years Experience
2.1 X gross salary
3.3 Full Time Site Representatives With 11-20 Years Experience
2.2 X gross salary
3.4 Full Time Site Representatives With More than 20 Years Experience
2.3 X gross salary
4.0
Services with Man-Days Fees as Fee/Person/Day
4.1 Additional Site Inspections Within the City/Town of Architects Practice
4.2 Site Inspection/Pre-Shipment Inspections Outside The City/Town of Architect
Practice
5.0
Reimbursable Expenses
Transport, Accommodation & Meals for Trips Outside the City/Town of the Architect
At actuals
Additional Printing, Courier, Model Making, 3D Animation etc.
1.4 X actual cost
Other Services, if any (Specify)

It needs to be emphasized here that to avoid any future disappointment about not getting the assignment
and to uphold the interest of the profession, the Architect must not provide any design services before
entering into any formal agreement.
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IAB strongly urges all the Architects to refrain from undertaking any professional assignment based on only
Work Order or Purchase Order.

The documents listed here are organized under seven basic heads, and refers to specific purposes. Following are the
list of the heads and the sub-heads:
100 Series Documents:
Client-Architect Agreement
Schedule-A101: Conditions of Engagement for Only Architectural Design Services
Schedule-A102: Conditions of Engagement for Architectural & Allied Design Services
Schedule-A103: Conditions of Engagements for Comprehensive Services
Schedule-A104: Conditions of Engagement for Interior Architecture Services
Schedule-A105: Conditions of Engagement for Landscape Architecture Services
Schedule-A106: Conditions of Engagement for Urban Design Services
Schedule-A107: Conditions of Engagement for Project Management Services
Schedule-B111: IAB Recommended Scale of Fees & Reimbursable Expenses for Architects Professional
Services
200 Series Documents:
Document 201: Specimen List of Architectural Design Deliverables
Document 202: Specimen List of Architectural & Allied Design Deliverables
Document 203: Specimen List of Comprehensive Services Deliverables
Document 204: Specimen List of Interior Architecture Deliverables
Document 205: Specimen List of Landscape Architecture Deliverables
300 Series Documents:
Document 301: Estimated Unit Area Rates of Construction and Interior Fit Out Cost
Document 302: Specimen Time Schedule for Delivery of Services & Approvals by the Client
Document 303: Specimen Data Sheet of Project Team Members
Document 304: Specimen XL Format for Calculating Man-Month Fees for Some Projects Procured Under PPR
400 Series Documents:
Architect- Sub Consultant Agreement
Schedule-A401: Conditions of Engagement for Sub- Consultants Professional Services
Schedule-B411: Scope of Structural & Civil Engineering Services & Deliverables
Schedule-B412: Scope of MEP Engineering Services & Deliverables
Schedule-B413: Scope of Interior Design Services & Deliverables
Schedule-B414: Scope of Landscape Architecture Services & Deliverables
500 Series Document: Model Joint Venture Agreement
600 Series Document: Model Client-Contractor Agreement
700 Series Documents:
Document 701: Recommended Salary Scale for Entry Level Jobs as Architectural Graduates/Associate Members in
IAB Registered Architectural Practices,
Document 702: Specimen Appointment Letter
Document 703: Specimen Resignation Letter
Document 704: Specimen Termination Letter
Document 705: Specimen Clearance Certificate
ENFORCEMENT
As per article 2.7.1 & 2.7.5 of IAB Constitution and the Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct 2010, it is mandatory
for all IAB Members to use these standard Agreements formulated by IAB for providing professional services in their
original forms, unless there are other formats recommended in the Governments Public Procurement Regulations
(PPR) for the Public Sector projects. Modifications into the text of these standard documents are strongly
discouraged to retain their professional & legal values.
It may also be mentioned here that during the IAB State of the Profession Survey 2014, 95% of the respondents
expressed that IAB needs to formulate standard contracts & fees for providing professional services and 87% of the
respondents expressed that the use of standard contracts needs to be made mandatory for IAB Members.
The standard agreements, conditions of engagements & the recommended scale of fees & reimbursable expenses
st
th
have been unanimously adopted in the 30th meeting of the 21 Executive Council Meeting of IAB held on 6
September 2016 for enforcement with immediate effect.
The standard printed version of all the six types of the Conditions of Engagements are available for purchase at the
IAB central office at Dhaka as well as at the IAB chapter and centre offices outside Dhaka.
To safeguard the interest of the members as well the public, IAB Executive Council or the IAB Professional
Practice Standing Committee at their own discretion may at any time require its members to produce the
written contracts with their clients or the sub-consultants for verification to issue certificates for submitting
building plans to any building plan approving authority, local govt. institution, board or agency.
100 SERIES DOCUMENTS:
100-2016: Agreement between the Client & the Architect
There are in total six different types of conditions of engagements (schedules A101 to A106) and a IAB
recommended scale of architects fees and reimbursable expenses (schedule B111) to be used in conjunction with
the Client-Architect Agreement (100 series).
The eligibility of using these schedules by the different category of IAB Members are described below.
1.

IAB Fellows & Members with has more than eight years of professional experience may use all the types
of Schedules as per different type of project requirements.

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2.

IAB Members up to eight years of professional experience may use Schedules A101, A102 & A103 only
for Residential Building Projects up to 7,500sqm. floor area and Schedules A104, A105 & A106 for all types of
Interior, Landscape & Urban Design Projects.

3.

IAB Associate Members, as a beginner as well as regulatory requirements, may use only the Schedule
A101 for Residential Building Projects up to 1000 sqm. of total floor area. They may also use the
Schedules A104 & A105 for small Interior design & landscape projects.

A101-2016: Conditions of Engagement for Only Architectural Design Services

This version of the schedule is intended for use in situations where the Architect will provide only architectural design
services and the Client will have extensive control over the management of the project, acting in a capacity of a
developer or a speculative builder of building projects. As a result, the Client or Consultants retained by the Client will
be providing the engineering or other allied services and administer the construction contracts.
A102-2016: Conditions of Engagement for Architectural and Allied Design Services
This version of the schedule is primarily intended for use in projects where the Client does not require the Architects
services to prepare the Bill of Quantities (BoQ), cost-estimating, tendering and construction contract administration
services and the Architects role is limited to only architectural & allied design services.
A103-2016: Conditions of Engagement for Comprehensive Services
103A-2016 is a standard form of conditions of engagement to be used between the Client and the Architect for
comprehensive architectural services, where services are based on following phases: Pre-Design, Schematic Design,
Design Development, Building Permit, Construction Documents, Tendering or Negotiation and Construction Contract
Administration.
A104-2016: Conditions of Engagement for Interior Design Services
Interior spaces are truly the life force of any building. These must de designed (and not merely decorated) as detailed
artistic articulation of the basic architectural concept with deep insight and sensitivity to fulfill the fundamental
functional and aesthetic needs.
A104-2016 also includes programming of the interior spaces and requirements with design and
administrative services for the procurement of furniture, furnishings, and equipment (FF&E) as part of the
overall package of Interior Design Services.
105A-2016: Conditions of Engagement for Landscape Architecture Services
Landscape architecture deals with the analysis, planning, design, management, preservation and rehabilitation of
land and also determines the environmental impact. It covers a wide spectrum of professional expertise, ranging from
landscape planning at the regional and city scale on the one end, to the small & medium scale public and private
landscape on the other end. Schedule A105-2016 includes standard landscape design and administrative services for
overall Landscape Design Services.

A106-2016: Conditions of Engagements for Urban Design Services

Urban design is architecture of the cities, highly complex and gargantuan in nature. It is anticipated that Architects in
the near future will increasingly be getting involved in urban design projects. Therefore, keeping this in mind, this
version of the schedule for urban design services has been prepared.
A107-2016: Conditions of Engagement for Project Management Services
This schedule is yet to be drafted.
B111-2016: IAB Recommended Scale of Minimum Fees & Reimbursable Expenses for Architects
Professional Services
The cost of providing Architects services is affected by many factors and the Architects scale of fees also depends
on the scope and type of services. The Scale of Minimum Fees & Reimbursable Expenses for Architects Services,
therefore, are recommended by IAB taking into consideration of all these factors.
Scale of fees & reimbursable expenses for Architects Services are calculated according to the following systems:
1.

Architects fee for the Comprehensive Architectural Services & other Design Services are calculated on the
basis of percentage of construction cost of the project;

2.

Some of the services like full time site representations are calculated on man-month basis;
Sometimes, fees for professional services for building projects procured under the Public Procurement
Regulations (PPR), multiple of gross man-month salaries, if asked for, may be offered;

3.

Other services such as short term assignments, site inspections etc. are generally offered either in man-days
or fixed fee basis;

4.

In addition to the above 3 types of fees, reimbursable expenses are usually charged as actuals.

200 SERIES DOCUMENTS:

These specimen lists have reference to the Clause 3.1 of the Conditions of Engagements (Schedules A101 to
A105), where the Architect will submit a list of deliverables for his different phases of services. This sample formats
are applicable for most type of projects. However, they may also be customized based on any specific project
requirements and will help the Client understand the services at different stages/phases to be provided by the
Architect.
Document 201: Specimen List of Architectural Design Deliverables
This specimen list is compatible for use with the Schedule A101
Document 202: Specimen List of Architectural & Engineering Design Deliverables
This specimen list is compatible for use with the Schedule A102
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Document 203: Specimen List of Comprehensive Services Deliverables

This specimen list is compatible for use with the Schedule A103
Document 204: Specimen List of Interior Architecture Deliverables
This specimen list is compatible for use with the Schedule A104
Document 205: Specimen List of Landscape Architecture Deliverables
This specimen list is compatible for use with the Schedule A105
300 SERIES DOCUMENTS:
301-2016: Estimated Unit Area Rates of Construction Cost
Some Clients may ask the Architect to give them an initial idea about the project cost. The Unit Area Rates of
Construction cost is a well-recognized basis for calculating project cost. The project cost may either be calculated on
the basis of available current unit area rates or alternatively this table could also be used as the basis for calculating
the project cost until detail cost is prepared by the Architect as well as for calculating Architects design fees.
302-2016: Specimen Time Schedule for Delivery of Services & Approval of the Submittals
This has reference to the time parameter clause of the conditions of engagements (Schedules A101 to A103),
where it mentions that both the parties may prepare a mutually agreed time schedule for delivery of services at
different phases by the Architect and approval of Architects submittals by the Client, the local building authorities,
boards & other agencies.
The items included in the specimen are based on comprehensive services, which shall have to be
customized according to the scope of services and may be presented in Microsoft Projects or other similar
programs.
303-2016: Specimen Data Sheet of the Project Team Members
This has reference to the Assignment clause of the conditions of engagements (Schedules A101 to A106), where it
is required to create mutually agreed list of project team members consisting of Clients representative, the Architect
and the Consultants. This sample format will help the Architect to prepare and maintain the data sheet for easy
reference of all the parties concerned.
304-2016: Specimen XL Format for Calculating Man-Month Fees for Some Projects Procured Under PPR
It is often found that for the public sector projects, man-month fees are asked for from the consultants. But, unless
properly calculated man-month fees are derived, there will be every chance of either not being able to provide
standard services due to underpayments or understaffing, which will lead to financial loss to the Architect or
encourage sub-standard services or even mal-practices. Therefore, this document establishes the method of
calculating the man-month expenses of personnel engaged for design & site representation for a specific duration
based on the salaries, benefits, overheads, increments, profits, taxes and fees of the Architect and the SubConsultants to be retained for the specific Project.
400 SERIES DOCUMENTS:
400-2016: Agreement between Architect and the Sub-Consultant(s)
This is a standard form of agreement between Architect and his Sub-Consultant(s), establishing their respective
responsibilities and mutual rights. 400-2016 agreement is mainly applicable for allied engineering services, but may
also be used for Sub-Consultants of other disciplines providing services to the Architect. This agreement is to be
used in conjunction with conditions of engagement for Sub-Consultants services (Schedule-A401) and any one of
the ScheduleB411 to Schedule-B414, for the scope of services and deliverables of the following different types of
services:
Schedule-A401: Conditions of Engagement for Sub-Consultants Professional Services
Schedule-B411: Scope of Structural Engineering Services & Deliverables
Schedule-B412: Scope of MEP Engineering Services & Deliverables
Schedule-B413: Scope of Interior Design Services & Deliverables
Schedule-B414: Scope of Landscape Architecture Services & Deliverables
500-2016: Model Joint Venture Agreement for Professional Services
This model agreement is intended for use between parties to form a joint venture to enter into a project agreement
with the Client to provide professional services. The parties may all be Architects, a combination of Architect and
Engineers, or Architect and other professionals.
The agreement provides a choice between two methods of joint venture operation. The "Share of Fees" method
assumes that services provided and the professional fees received will be divided among the parties in the
proportions agreed to at the outset of the project. Each partys profitability is then dependent on individual
performance and is not directly tied to that of the other parties. The "Share of Profit and Loss" method is based on
each party performing work and billing the joint venture at cost plus a nominal amount for overhead. The ultimate
profit or loss of the joint venture is thus divided between the parties at completion of the project, based on their
respective interests.
600-2016: Model Agreement between Client and the Contractor
This model contract document for building and civil engineering construction works in private sector has been
prepared based upon standard contract conditions prescribed by CPTU of Bangladesh, WB, ADB and FIDIC
Conditions of Contract, which have been adapted to suit the particular needs of building and civil engineering
construction works under contract in Bangladesh. The Client may make necessary modifications of contract
conditions depending on the nature of specific contract requirement; provided that such adjustments, modification or
substitution of clauses and sub-clauses of conditions of contract should be done by skilled professional contract
specialist.
700 SERIES DOCUMENTS:
701: IAB Recommended Salary Scale for Entry Level Jobs as Architectural Graduates/Associate Members in
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IAB Registered Architectural Practices,

After completing 5 years of academic studies in Architecture discipline, employment of a fresh architectural graduate
in an architectural practice depends on factors like his/her academic records in the university, recommendation from
the office where he/she has done his/her internship, performance in the interview for the job etc. Accordingly, the
salary of a fresh graduate usually depends on workload in the architectural practice as well as cost of living in which
city or town the practice is located. Therefore, the salary scale of an entry-level job as architect in an IAB Registered
Architectural Practice can only be considered as a guideline. This recommended scale of salary is prepared on the
basis of the latest government salary scale applicable for entry-level job of an architectural graduate. This salary
scale may be updated in conjunction with the announcement of the subsequent government salary scale.
Monthly Basic Salary
In Taka

Monthly House Rent Allowances in Taka

In Dhaka City

In Divisional Cities like, Chittagong, Khulna,

Rajshahi, Sylhet, Barisal & Rangpur

In Other Towns &

Cities

22,000/-

9,600/-

8,000

7,000

This salary is calculated considering weekly minimum 40 working hours plus 30 minutes lunch & 15 minutes
tea/prayer breaks per day.
Bonus, medical and transport allowances etc. are optional and shall be at the discretion of the employer.
702-2016: Specimen Appointment Letter for the Job in an IAB Registered Architectural Practice
This specimen letter is yet to be drafted.
703-2016: Specimen Termination Letter from the Job of an IAB Registered Architectural Practice
This specimen letter is yet to be drafted
704-2016: Specimen Resignation Letter from the Job of an Architect
This specimen letter is yet to be drafted
705-2016: Specimen Clearance Certificate from an IAB Registered Architectural Practice
This specimen certificate is yet to be drafted

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