Division of fees

[richburton]

I've been doing some side work as an architect for a meager $1 per square foot of new construction space. For twelve years I worked closely with a team of engineers but those were big projects for more sophisticated clients.

For those juicy projects, a typical breakdown of fees (8% of the construction cost) would look something like this:

Architectural 40%
Mech, Elec, Plumbing 30%
Structural 20%
Civil 10%

Another way to look at it, the structural engineer would earn $1.60 per square foot for a building with a construction cost of $100/SF.

Anyway, I just had a structural engineer ask me if I would help him out on a simple fire-escape project. I quoted him only $150 for two fire escapes and a roof-top walkway. I've often considered calling engineers to help me on projects but I've managed to muddle my way through.

For most of these side projects, my bids have been only 95% of the next highest bid. Sometimes I can handle the project on my own but I risk getting myself into trouble without more qualified expertise.

Do you think an engineer for a small 2,000 S.F. church building would be willing to do his/her share of the work for only $1 per square foot? That partnership would double my current bid but - in some cases - it would be necessary to pull together the entire Civil, Structural, Mech, Elec, Plumbing team again.

I fear some of you will cast me off the island for bringing up this topic but... it's an important question.

Thanks

 

[rowingengineer]

This thread maybe worth a read, thread730-260502.

It is too hard to say if $1/sq/ft is good for your project or not, need to see more info.

Arguing with an engineer is like wrestling with a pig in mud. After a while you realize that they like it

 

[RacingAZ]

It really depends on the complexity of the building but I'd say $1/sf is too low especially for an SE that is doing it not as a side gig. But with a lot of engineers right now looking for work, I won't be surprised if you'll have a number of takers for that rate. But most would probably not have the liability coverage though.

Personally, I'd do it only if a long time client asks as some sort of a favor if this client of mine had given me big projects before. I'd look at it as more like a marketing expense and to show that I'm a team player in these tough times.

Also this being a church building, is there a way to talk to the owner and quote him your team's regular fees but consider a percentage of your fees as a charitable donation to the church? At least your team will get a tax deduction instead of giving away the store.

 

[msquared48]

As for the church building, and I am not trying to be fecicious here, get your money up front or don't do the job.

A friend of mine, a contractor, had one "minister" thank him for his donation after the job was finished. No lie. Personally, I do not do churches other than my own, but that's my thing.

Good luck.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask