FEES

Most of our work is investigative or can be strongly influenced by actions of the client.  The amount of work on architectural projects can vary widely depending on cooperation of the client to do things the easy way and not make continual changes.  We strongly feel that clients who make our job easy should benefit from lower fees and those who require us to spend more time solving difficult challenges should pay the cost.  Thus, most projects are invoiced according to our fee schedule within an agreed budget.  A few well defined projects are done on a fixed fee.

Fees are charged at an hourly rate that varies with the experience of the consultant.  An additional contract initiation fee is charged for the first hour.  This allows us to do smaller jobs without raising the hourly rate for all jobs.

Travel time not exceeding 40% of the total time on a trip is discounted.  Thus, a long trip with a short visit will result in some travel time charged at full consulting rate.  Air travel time is capped at ground time plus one hour for each plane boarded.  A premium rate is charged for travel time on weekends.

A premium rate is charged on work that clients require to be done on nights or weekends or on such short notice that the work of others must be shifted to these times.  This premium is also charged for work in preparation for expert witness testimony.

Instruments for measurements are a significant expense for a service not needed by all clients.  Thus, an extra charge is made for use of instruments rather than increasing the hourly rates for everyone.

Miscellaneous expenses including travel expenses are charged at cost with mileage at a fixed rate.  We do not itemize telephone or postage expenses.  Extra copies of reports beyond the original incur a significant charge.  Clients are advised to make their own copies.  An annual fee is charged to clients requiring that they be added as an "additional insured" on our insurance policies.