Didn't you shop around?

it is in Los Altos, CA and 4000-4200 for 2 story, and partial basement. regular rectangle shape. We met 5 times. She did 3 different floor plan in 2 months, we didn't like any of them and didn't think she can think out of "box" so want to end the contract. She wants $6500.

So sorry, this is first time we are doing it.

OK, so important question here is- what are the terms of your contract? She has already done what sounds like a substantial amount of work if you've met 5 times and she's done 3 different floor plans. Is there a liquidated damages clause in your contract-- i.e., what happens if someone breaches? Or is there a provision for what happens if one of you doesn't breach but just wants to cancel it?

no, she said she will do pre design to see if we will like it or not. the 3 floor plan is very traditional. she says she has worked 143 hours on the plans, which’s not much different from each.

5 times include 1st meeting, 2nd sign contract.

But what does your contract say?

“the Architect”), to perform the consul ng services described
in this Proposal. Acceptance by the Client is strictly limited to this
Proposal and the a ached Terms & Condi ons for Architectural
Services, which when acknowledged in wri ng, is authoriza on to
proceed.

The Client is de ned as the person(s) signing the Agreement
authorizing the Architect to proceed. If the Client moves forward
with the design that results from the Proposal for Schema c
Design Services, the Client agrees to con nue with the Architect for
full architectural services outlined in the Proposal for Architectural
Services.

This Agreement supersedes all prior wri en proposals, and/or
nego a ons not referenced herein, between the par es and is
expressly condi oned upon the Client’s agreement of the a ached
Terms & Condi ons for Architectural Services. This Agreement
may only be modi ed in wri ng and executed by both par es.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

• New construc on for a house at exis ng address.

• Demolish exis ng house to build a 2-story house,

  approximately 3500-3800 SF

• Minimum of 2 Master suites, 2 addi onal bedrooms, 2

  additonal baths

• Open plan, preferrably Kitchen/Great Rm combo, Dining Room

  can be separate area.

• Include a Den/Study.

• Maintain as much of the lot as yard as possible.

• More modern aesthe c, but not too modern

• Keep exis ng large tree on site (heritage tree)

• Prefer to keep the exis ng swimming pool

  SCOPE OF SERVICES:
  Programming

  The Architect shall provide one (1) mee ng to discuss the Client’s goals and establish the project
  requirements including the Project Scope (see de ni on below), the Client’s budget expecta ons,
  space requirements, and aesthe c preferences.

  Project Scope- all elements of the Project to be designed or speci ed by the Architect that will
  have an associated construc on cost.

  Schema c Design

  Based on the requirements established by the Client during the Programming mee ng, the
  Architect shall prepare a Schema c Design comprised of up to three (3) proposed solu ons for the
  Project. Each Schema c Design solu on will include oor plans and exterior building eleva ons as
  required to illustrate the proposed changes.

  The Architect shall provide one (1) mee ng to present and discuss the Schema c Design solu ons.

  The Client shall select one (1) proposed solu on and discuss any changes required to be er meet
  the Project requirements. The Architect shall prepare a maximum of two (2) revisions to the
  selected Schema c Design solu on and meet with the Client to present each revision. Addi onal
  revisions during the Schema c Design Phase shall be considered Addi onal Services.

  The Architect shall develop a “Ballpark Set” of drawings showing the approved oor plan and
  facade eleva ons to get a third-party cost es mate.

  COMPENSATION:

  The Architect shall be compensated at an hourly rate of $65/hr.

anything?

Well she is charging $65 per hour. I do not see what the issue is, it seems like she has worked the hours.

For Palo Alto, the price-$65/hr-seems reasonable.

Well, if *Architect* said he/she worked 143 hours and is charging $65 an hour, then your bill should be $9,295. Looks like you got a discount at $6500.

The architect performed her part of the contract, i.e., she gave you 3 floor plans, now you need to perform your part, i.e., pay her for her work. Just because you do not like what she did doesn't absolve you of having to pay her. AND $65 per hour is a bargain for a licensed professional.

$65/ hr is very inexpensive for our area of CA. You got a bargain.

Is this one of the three architects you hired for over $30,000?
Something is wrong here. Are you working with a builder and a designer?

it’s not about money, it is about if he/she has spent 140+ hours on something so simple, anyone can get that from web for a couple of thousand.

Pay her. She has earned it. Architects have more to consider than just space plans. They consider load bearing walls, ceiling pitch, etc. Much more than the lay person knows.

$6,500 for 143 hrs. is $45/hr, $20 less than what I read her rate to be in your contract. $45/hr. for a professional's time in Los Altos is a bargain. Electricians & plumbers make more there. If you really believe she'll never "get" what you want for a design, write her a chk & find a new one.

Is this the third or forth architect you have hired? I don't get it.

Is that contract copied and pasted? The grammar is horrible and would lead me to believe this cannot be real.

People are used to buying products and apply the same logic to buying services.

The problem is services can't be returned for a refund in the same way a product can. Once a service has been performed at $65/hourly, those hours are spent.

They need to be paid for.

I charge 65.00 an hour for design services and i am not an architect, my guess is you have not been clear about how far outside the box you want to go after 3 plans there should have been some headway.

A 2M project and you're kvetching over 6K? Seriously? I think she has earned combat pay personally. And someone needs to flat out tell you that you can't fit 50 lbs of sand in a 5lb sack. You need to prioritize. And spend a heck of a lot more money on design up front. A LOT more money.

My mistake to ask help here. Bunch money hungry “Architects” (No Patricia Colwell). All I want to know if it is resealable to spend 140+ hours on a floor plan!!!!!

I am not an *Architect*, BUT, I know I do NOT think it sounds reasonable to spend 140+ hours on a floor plan!! I mean that would be 18 eight hour days??

Thank you so much margocorp!!!

There is no way to determine if the 140+ hours is reasonable as there is no way to prove that the claimed hours are valid. You have an hourly based contract that is completely open ended, there is no defined cap or cost to date review clauses.

Graham

This is the 4 th architect used, correct? What are we not understanding? I can't believe you were even able to hire someone in our busy area. Builders and architects are booked out months, sometimes years in advance.
It's almost impossible to find a GC willing to take on a job right now, they are so overbooked. Do you have a builder?

Since last September?

So, what do you think the bill should be? Is she charging you from getting in her car to your home and then back to her home - so, say she is and it takes an hour each way, then $650.00 is travel time.

This is an hourly based contract. Under such the Architect will charge all time associated with the requested services. This would of course include travel time, meeting time and plan/drawing time. The 140 hours equates to 17.5 working days, this does not seem to be an unreasonable amount of time if the client received the requested services described in the contract. As pointed out by another responder, the 140 hours @ $65/hr is $9,100. If the final bill is only $6,500 then the Architect must have provided some form of reduction for reasons unknown to us.

If you have ever operated a business you will also understand that the Architect did not put $65/hr in his or her pocket, there are a number of overhead expenses that will need to be paid out of this first.

Graham