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osa
#1 Posted : Tuesday, September 29, 2009 10:03:00 PM
Rank: Member

Joined: 9/26/2006
Posts: 9
Please advice. How much (%) of the Construction cost should go towards Architectural,Structural /Civil,Mechanical & Electrical Services and Quantity Surveying for a mutli-family dwelling property?
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BAAK
#2 Posted : Wednesday, September 30, 2009 10:06:00 AM
Rank: Member

Joined: 8/27/2008
Posts: 70
Ideally the fees should be as per guidelines from the ministry of public works (MOW has a guideline on fees for consultancy services in building projects).

If you don’t go that route and have to pay the consultants in percentage terms,it could be anything upto10%,depending on what you agree. Hope this helps.


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Djagame
#3 Posted : Wednesday, September 30, 2009 12:00:00 PM
Rank: Member

Joined: 12/10/2008
Posts: 68
Location: Nairobi
@Osa

The architect is known as the chief consultant in the design process.

After you approve the final design (s)he will approach the other consultants you have mentioned (suppose to tender) on your behalf and get their input and cost. The total cost will be your design cost.

The architects commission is capped at 6% of the above cost.

There are also site visits to take into account which are usually an added cost if not included.

So for you to get a cost projection you will have to approach an architect first.

Average building cost KShs 15,000-25,000 per square metre (to be confirmed)

NB:

The design and construction costs are separate




'If you are not living on the edge,you are taking up too much space'
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munich
#4 Posted : Thursday, October 01, 2009 8:00:00 AM
Rank: Member

Joined: 10/1/2009
Posts: 2
Osa,
You did right in asking about this. Many real estate investors do not factor consultancy fees in their cost estimate; hence they end up getting surprised when consultants finally come in. It is always smart to employ consultants from the inception stage. If you get one with good experience in the particular type of buildings you want to set up,you could even end up saving upto 10% of what you had planned to spend,and this is the money that pays the consultants! By the way I am an expert in one of the fields you mentioned-with experience in real estate (ranging from up-market to low cost housing units,and could advise you further on how to go about it. You can drop me a line at my e-mail (in my profile)
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Mrefu Tall
#5 Posted : Thursday, October 01, 2009 6:55:00 PM
Rank: Member

Joined: 9/30/2009
Posts: 4
Hi,
Its good that you have asked that question.Kindly note that Architects and Quantity Surveyors professional fees are guided by Cap 525 OF THE LAWS OF KENYA OR conditions of engagement as stipulated in the GOVERNMENT OF KENYA CONDITIONS OF ENGAGEMENT AND SCALE OF FEES FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR BUILDING AND ENGINEERING WORKS.

This amounts to a minimum of 6% for the architect and about 2.5% for the quantity surveyor.They go up depending on reputation and experience of the consultants.usually total fees end up to abt 12%.Sounds expensive but believe me it is cheaper compared to the cost of rectifying mistakes often done by quacks.

Please Ensure you are working with qualified consultants registered by their respective registration boards ie Board of registration of Architects and Quantity surveyors and the Engineers registration board.

There are many consortiums as well that offer all the services in one but again they are guided by the above laws and the fees usually end up at 12% in total.Their main aim is for the various consultants to tap into individual synergies after working together over time.Good luck and let me know if u need further assistance.

Am an Architect by training but just sat my registration exams.Hope to know my registration status by Dec.Even if I cant give the service,I can direct you to friends,or the the Board of registration or the Architectural association of Kenya,who can give you the whole list of consultants,who are in good standing,that you can choose from.They are friendly and encourage the public to go to them for assistance.They will also shed light on the duties of the consultants as well as their required professional conduct.This way you know exctly what you are paying for..I have seen many loose money and getting poor service and would not want you to go through that.Good luck
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Mrefu Tall
#6 Posted : Thursday, October 01, 2009 6:55:00 PM
Rank: Member

Joined: 9/30/2009
Posts: 4
Hi,
Its good that you have asked that question.Kindly note that Architects and Quantity Surveyors professional fees are guided by Cap 525 OF THE LAWS OF KENYA OR conditions of engagement as stipulated in the GOVERNMENT OF KENYA CONDITIONS OF ENGAGEMENT AND SCALE OF FEES FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR BUILDING AND ENGINEERING WORKS.

This amounts to a minimum of 6% for the architect and about 2.5% for the quantity surveyor.They go up depending on reputation and experience of the consultants.usually total fees end up to abt 12%.Sounds expensive but believe me it is cheaper compared to the cost of rectifying mistakes often done by quacks.

Please Ensure you are working with qualified consultants registered by their respective registration boards ie Board of registration of Architects and Quantity surveyors and the Engineers registration board.

There are many consortiums as well that offer all the services in one but again they are guided by the above laws and the fees usually end up at 12% in total.Their main aim is for the various consultants to tap into individual synergies after working together over time.Good luck and let me know if u need further assistance.

Am an Architect by training but just sat my registration exams.Hope to know my registration status by Dec.Even if I cant give the service,I can direct you to friends,or the the Board of registration or the Architectural association of Kenya,who can give you the whole list of consultants,who are in good standing,that you can choose from.They are friendly and encourage the public to go to them for assistance.They will also shed light on the duties of the consultants as well as their required professional conduct.This way you know exctly what you are paying for..I have seen many loose money and getting poor service and would not want you to go through that.Good luck
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kishindo
#7 Posted : Friday, October 02, 2009 7:27:00 AM
Rank: Member

Joined: 1/11/2008
Posts: 121
@ Mrefu Tall
ssup son? well said...
watu walipe professionally!!!!
lakini wakitaka shortcuts ni sawa tu..the results ALWAYS display the input therein...

less is more for Architects only!!
Less is more....for Architects only!!
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Mrefu Tall
#8 Posted : Sunday, October 04, 2009 10:30:00 AM
Rank: Member

Joined: 9/30/2009
Posts: 4
sema bwana Kishindo...never thot u were here on SK.anyway tuelimishe wanainchi...most pple think Kazi yetu ni kuchora tu!!!...lol
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VituVingiSana
#9 Posted : Tuesday, October 06, 2009 8:01:00 AM
Rank: Chief

Joined: 1/3/2007
Posts: 18,371
Location: Nairobi
Why shud an architect or quantity surveyor get a %??? That incentivizes them to jack up the cost!!! And why shud the fees be 'fixed' by the government... at best have a maximum lakini this is BS... why cant I negotiate my fees???

Greedy when others are fearful,Very fearful when others are greedy - to paraphrase WB
Greedy when others are fearful. Very fearful when others are greedy - to paraphrase Warren Buffett
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kishindo
#10 Posted : Tuesday, October 06, 2009 9:19:00 AM
Rank: Member

Joined: 1/11/2008
Posts: 121
@vvs,how do you charge for your services in your Accounting/Finance field? even banks charge interest as a % of the principal.
I however agree with you...in some cases % billing 'incentivises'inflating costs but this largely happens in public=read Gov. projects because of the kickbacks involved.
However,note that
1. Building costs depend on the quality & source of materials used plus the labour and handling costs e.t.c.
2. The rates for the above are guided by a publication indicating rates/costs that is periodically released by the Joint building council(JBC)of Kenya...so a keen client will be able to cross check costs.
3. Rates are negotiable but should be reasonable for both client and consultants.

When seeking an architect(and other consultants) at least get one who looks out for your interests in pursuing your goals cost effectively.

Most Kenyans tend to think they are paying consultants 'too much',they side step them and get nicely screwed by fundis/contractors since no one is there to advise them. It is then that they seek remedial measures from professionals but hey,Its your choice..its a free country.....

less is more for Architects only!!
Less is more....for Architects only!!
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