The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-08-19
SCHEDULE OF CHARGES
FOR ARCHITECTS WORK
Widespread Prejudice Exists Against Employing Architect
in Buildng7hs Singular Condition May Be Due Lack
acknowledge of the Definite Character of His
al Charges-7he Established Scale of Minimum Fees.

There is singular prejudice among
many people against employing an
architect in the designing and execution
Of ono own house, says the August
American Homes and Gardens. It is
prejudice that is widespread, because it
will be found in many widely separated
localities, and it is singular because no
or to make clear why it exists and
should be recognized. For recognition
of the prejudice means that the work
shall be proceeded with without the
services Of an architect.
The business of the architect is to
have charge Of the process of building.
He is in business for this reason alone,
and it is for this that he puts in a
charge for his services. But the most
1anthropist in business for his health,
helping people to build houses out of
the pure goodness of his heart, contrib
uting his quota to the public welfare
by the beauty of his art, or promoting
human life by the stability of his struc-
lures. All Of these things, no doubt,
the architect hopes to accomplish IN
due season, and perhaps will do so; but,
in most cases, he must have some means
and his talents for his livelihood; he
must do something for bread and but
ter. Accordingly he charges for his
services on a scale that has the sup
port Of his professional brethren.
Worthy of His Hire.
Is this unreasonable or improper?
Does it differ in any way from the
methods followed by any business men
engaged in any occupation? There is
no reason at all why the architect
should do his work for nothing. It is
simple business proposition that he
| One might 90 further than this anC
maintain, with equal propriety, that not
only should he be paid for what he
does, but that he should be well paiC
for it. If it is a business proposition
! that laborer is worthy of his hire, il
is equally true-or should be-that goot
| work can not be had save at good
prices.
It will be admitted on all hands tina
if an architect is employed he must b.
paid; and it will doubtless be admitted
the general scale Of remuneration tina
prevails in his profession. Whethe
reasonable or unreasonable, this seal
has the surprising merit Of being know
in advance, and it's total amount ca
readily be calculated.
The architect charges a percentag
on the amount spent. The money t
be spent is known; the rate of the pei
centage is also known; the financial re
suit may be obtained by one of tn
simplest of mathematical calculations
The percentages charged by arch
tects are determined by the chief pro
fessional body in the country in whic
the architect lives and works. In tn
. United States this is the American II
stitute of Architects; in England it
the Royal Institute Of British Arch
: tects.
l The American Institute of Architect
2 has adopted a "schedule of minimum
3 charges and prof essional practice of a
s chitects, as usual and proper If a
: prospective homebuilders would civ
e this scale a careful reading it woul
f avoid much miscalculation and unplea
/ ant and unnecessary friction.
S American schedule Of Minimu
Charges.
For full professional services (i
Guiding supervisory 5 per cent upe
t the cost Of the work.
: In case of the abandonment or su
). pension Of the work, the charge f
mary studies, as per table at the TO
of schedule; preliminary studies, gene
r al drawings and specifications, 2h p
J. cent; preliminary studies. gener
j. rdawings, specifications and detail
e 81 per cent.
IS For works that cost less than ST.
p 900, or for monumental and decorate
n work, and designs for furniture, 81
II cial rate in excess of the above.
D. For alterations and additions,
additional charge to be made, and a