Architect Services Agreement

ARCHITECT SERVICES AGREEMENT

Before you use this: Identify the project state and check its architect licensing and written-contract requirements. Use a required state version when available.

This Architect Services Agreement is made on [DATE] between [OWNER LEGAL NAME], of [OWNER ADDRESS] (Owner), and [ARCHITECT LEGAL NAME], of [ARCHITECT ADDRESS] (Architect). Architect's license and registration details for the project location are [LICENSE / REGISTRATION NUMBER AND STATE].

1. Project and scope

The project is [PROJECT NAME AND DESCRIPTION] at [PROJECT ADDRESS]. The site and proposed use are [DESCRIPTION]. Architect will provide only the services checked below and detailed in Exhibit A:

• ☐ Programming and existing-condition review
• ☐ Schematic design
• ☐ Design development
• ☐ Construction drawings and specifications
• ☐ Permit application assistance
• ☐ Bidding or contractor-selection assistance
• ☐ Construction-phase observation and submittal review
• ☐ Other: [DESCRIPTION]

Exhibit A identifies each deliverable, its format, review milestone, and any consultants Architect will engage. Architect will coordinate its listed consultants and provide the agreed deliverables. Architect will not perform construction, control a contractor's means or safety practices, or conduct continuous site inspection unless Exhibit A expressly adds a separately priced service.

2. Owner information and decisions

Owner will provide available surveys, site records, program requirements, budget, and prior studies listed in Exhibit B by [DATE]. Owner will identify known site restrictions and promptly respond to submitted decisions within [NUMBER] business days. Owner will retain [GEOTECHNICAL / SURVEY / OTHER] consultants directly, unless Exhibit A assigns them to Architect. Each party will promptly tell the other of a material error or changed condition it discovers.

Owner's target construction budget is [AMOUNT] as of [DATE], covering [INCLUDED COSTS]. Architect will advise Owner when its design information indicates a material risk of exceeding that target. The parties will agree in writing on any resulting change in scope, fee, or schedule. A budget target is not a fixed construction price.

3. Schedule and reviews

Architect will submit the milestones in Exhibit A, beginning after receipt of the listed Owner information and the initial payment, if any. Within [NUMBER] business days after each submission, Owner will approve it or give one consolidated list of requested revisions. Architect will address revisions within the agreed scope; a change to an approved milestone requires the procedure in section 5. Dates affected by late information, decisions, third-party review, or an agreed change will be adjusted in writing.

4. Fee and payment

Owner will pay Architect on the following basis: ☐ fixed fee of [AMOUNT]; ☐ hourly rates and estimated hours in Exhibit C, with a maximum of [AMOUNT] absent written approval; ☐ milestone amounts in Exhibit C. Reimbursable expenses are [LIST OR NONE], subject to [PREAPPROVAL RULE]. Architect will invoice [AT MILESTONES / MONTHLY], describing services, expenses, payments received, and balance due. Undisputed amounts are due [NUMBER] days after receipt. Owner will notify Architect of a disputed item with reasons within [NUMBER] days and pay the undisputed balance. Interest or late charges apply only if the parties insert a lawful rate here: [RATE OR NONE].

5. Additional services and changes

Either party may request a change in project, services, deliverables, schedule, compensation, or payment method. Before Architect performs added work, the parties will sign a change authorization describing the change, fee or rate, and time adjustment. Architect may take reasonable steps to protect completed work while awaiting a decision, but will not treat an unapproved request as a paid change.

6. Construction and approvals

Architect will prepare the agreed design deliverables and submit them to [OWNER / AUTHORITY] as Exhibit A states. Owner will pay permit and agency fees unless Exhibit C assigns them otherwise. A government review or contractor bid may require revisions; the parties will apply section 5 if the work falls outside the agreed scope. Architect's construction-phase role, if selected, is limited to the visits and tasks in Exhibit A. Owner contracts separately with the builder.

7. Design documents

Architect retains ownership of the drawings, models, specifications, and other instruments it prepares. After Owner pays the amounts due for the applicable deliverables, Architect grants Owner a nonexclusive license to use them solely to construct, use, maintain, and alter this project at the stated site. Owner may share them with its contractors and consultants for those purposes. Use on another project or site requires Architect's written consent. Architect may retain copies for its records and portfolio, subject to any confidentiality terms in Exhibit B.

8. Insurance and responsibility

Architect will maintain the insurance identified in Exhibit C and provide evidence on request. Each party is responsible for its own acts and omissions under applicable law. No limitation of liability, indemnity, waiver of claims, or duty to defend is created by this Agreement. Any such allocation requires a separate written provision reviewed for the project state.

9. Suspension and termination

Either party may terminate for convenience on [NUMBER] days' written notice. Either party may suspend or terminate for a material breach if it gives written notice describing the breach and the other party does not cure it within [NUMBER] days after receipt. Architect may suspend unpaid work after giving [NUMBER] days' written notice of an undisputed overdue amount. On termination, Architect will deliver paid-for completed work, Owner will pay for services properly performed and approved expenses incurred through termination, and the parties will settle any advance payment against those amounts. Section 7 continues to govern use of delivered documents.

10. Notices and disputes

Notices under this Agreement must be sent to the addresses above by [EMAIL WITH ACKNOWLEDGMENT / TRACKED DELIVERY / OTHER METHOD]. A notice is received when [AGREED RECEIPT RULE]. The parties will first try to resolve a dispute by a meeting of authorized representatives within [NUMBER] days after written notice. If unresolved, either may use a court of competent jurisdiction in [COUNTY, STATE], subject to any mandatory law. The law of [STATE] governs this Agreement, subject to mandatory project-state rules.

11. Entire agreement

This Agreement and Exhibits A–C are the parties' entire agreement for these services. A change must be signed by both parties. If an exhibit conflicts with this Agreement, the following controls: [ORDER OF PRECEDENCE]. Each signer represents that they are authorized to bind the named party.

Owner Signature: [________________________________] Date: [__/__/____]

Name and title: [________________________________]

Architect Signature: [________________________________] Date: [__/__/____]

Name and title: [________________________________]

Exhibit A — Services and milestones

Excluded services: [LIST]. Project assumptions: [LIST].

Exhibit B — Owner information and project decisions

Confidentiality or publication restrictions, if any: [TERMS OR NONE].

Exhibit C — Fees, expenses, and insurance

Initial payment: [AMOUNT OR NONE]. Approved expense categories and limits: [LIST OR NONE]. Insurance types and limits: [LIST].