Architectural compensation is typically calculated as a percentage of the total construction cost. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) provides a framework (most notably in Document B101) for how these fees are distributed throughout the lifecycle of a project. Using an AIA compensation calculator helps both architects and clients align on budget expectations before the design process begins.
Standard Fee Percentages by Project Type
While fees are negotiable, industry standards typically fall within the following ranges:
New Construction: 5% to 12% of construction costs.
Renovations/Remodels: 10% to 18% (due to the complexity of working with existing structures).
Commercial/Institutional: 6% to 10%.
Typical AIA Phase Breakdown
The AIA standard agreement usually breaks the compensation down into five or six distinct phases:
Schematic Design (15%): Developing the initial concept, site plans, and basic floor plans.
Design Development (20%): Refining the design and selecting materials, structural systems, and MEP.
Construction Documents (40%): Creating the detailed blueprints and specifications required for permitting and bidding.
Bidding & Negotiation (5%): Assisting the owner in finding and selecting a contractor.
Construction Administration (20%): Overseeing the construction to ensure the project matches the design intent.
Example Calculation
If you have a residential project with a construction budget of $500,000 and a negotiated fee of 10%, the total architect compensation would be $50,000. According to the AIA distribution:
Schematic Design: $7,500
Construction Documents: $20,000
Construction Administration: $10,000
This calculator ensures that all parties understand the cash flow requirements at each milestone of the architectural process.
function calculateAIACompensation() {
var constructionCost = parseFloat(document.getElementById("constructionCost").value);
var feePercentage = parseFloat(document.getElementById("feePercentage").value);
if (isNaN(constructionCost) || constructionCost <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid construction cost.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(feePercentage) || feePercentage <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid fee percentage.");
return;
}
var totalFee = constructionCost * (feePercentage / 100);
// AIA Standard Breakdown Percentages
var phases = [
{ name: "Schematic Design", pct: 15 },
{ name: "Design Development", pct: 20 },
{ name: "Construction Documents", pct: 40 },
{ name: "Bidding & Negotiation", pct: 5 },
{ name: "Construction Administration", pct: 20 }
];
var resultDiv = document.getElementById("aiaResult");
var totalDisplay = document.getElementById("totalFeeDisplay");
var tableBody = document.getElementById("phaseBreakdownBody");
// Clear previous results
tableBody.innerHTML = "";
// Set Total
totalDisplay.innerText = "$" + totalFee.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
// Populate Table
for (var i = 0; i < phases.length; i++) {
var phaseFee = totalFee * (phases[i].pct / 100);
var row = document.createElement("tr");
var nameCell = document.createElement("td");
nameCell.innerText = phases[i].name;
var pctCell = document.createElement("td");
pctCell.innerText = phases[i].pct + "%";
var amountCell = document.createElement("td");
amountCell.innerText = "$" + phaseFee.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
row.appendChild(nameCell);
row.appendChild(pctCell);
row.appendChild(amountCell);
tableBody.appendChild(row);
}
// Show results
resultDiv.style.display = "block";
resultDiv.scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth', block: 'nearest' });
}
// Update fee percentage input when complexity changes
document.getElementById("projectComplexity").onchange = function() {
var complexityValue = this.value;
document.getElementById("feePercentage").value = complexityValue;
};