Questionnaire on UAP Doc 207: Design-Build Services

As part of the on-going revisions for the UAP Documents on Standards of Professional Practice, I am reproducing here the suggested questionnaire which were distributed during the UAP Area B Assembly 2009. This would be of help in getting the status of architects involved in construction and will aid in the necessary revisions.

This will just take a few minutes of your time but your responses are very important. Thank you.

1. Are you, as a practicing architect, a member or part of a construction entity?


2. Have you as an architect, worked in tandem or in joint arrangement with a construction entity?


3. Are you, besides being an architect, a licensed constructor?


4. Are you in favor of architects constructing their own design through general contracting?


5. Would you agree to a notion in the National Architects Code UAP Doc207 Design-Build Services to lay down the guidelines for architects involved in construction, including their own design, with safeguards provided to protect the interest of all parties concerned?


6. You are a member of what area in the UAP?


Thank you very much! Please go to the other survey on the professional fees on how much is to be charged by the architect for professional services, UAP Doc 208

Revising UAP Documents: Doc 201-208

Ccd ArkiReview

Create Your Badge The accredited professional organization for architects, United Architects of the Philippines is in the process of revising the Standards of Professional Practice covering UAP Documents 201-208. The Architects Code of Ethics (UAP DOC 200) was the first to be revised and was approved by the PRC almost two years ago and revision to the other documents governing professional practice is also in the process of discussion and completion.

During the recent UAP Area B Assembly last Feb 1-4 on-board Negros Navigations' MS San Paolo, spearheaded by the VP for Area B Domingo Ll. Tablizo, Jr, FUAP, a presentation on the proposed revisions was conducted by the head of the special committee on revisions. Immediate Past President of UAP, Edric Marco Florentino, FUAP enlightened member architects of area B into the draft revisions and encouraged members to provide inputs to get a more responsive standards Filipino architects will follow.

The revisions committee started with Doc201 and at this time the different sub-committees handling each of the documents have already more or less completed their draft and are to be submitted for further comments. The last document 208 is still in the early stage of revisions and the committee is soliciting ideas from member architects. The assembly is the first of such round-table discussions to be conducted all over the country.

The existing Doc208 provides the standards for professional fees to be charged to different types of projects. It classifies the complexity of projects undertaken and the type of services which architects normally provides to clients. It lists down 9 categories for architects services and the corresponding minimum professional fee. This is the most controversial document since many architects are violating the provisions of this part of the Architects National Code.

Here are some of the initial reactions/proposals given during the presentation:
a) Can the category for residential projects be subdivided into simple, medium and complex same as other structures?
b) How would you properly define category 1(simple), category 2(medium), and category 3(complex projects)?
c) Structural designing in the old law was changed to structural conceptualization. Is this a service which architects should also charge?
d) Why not separate architectural component from engineering and charge only for architectural? -so client will understand that not all that is paid to the architect goes to their pocket.

I provided this forum to get more responses from Filipino architects who are familiar with Doc 208 and to get more insights into what should be done and how it is to be done, as well as how much should be charged for the particular category of projects and services. Please feel free to provide your comments.

(related article: A simplified guide to architects fees in Austria and Germany)

In addition, I have provided a poll below to determine what should be the rates for the first 4 categories.

Group 1: What should be the minimum basic fee for Type 1 Projects (simple-minimal or no interior wall partitions)?


Group 2: Min. basic fee for Type 2 projects (medium-complex)?


Group 3: Min. basic fee for Type 3 projects (complex projects-with special equipments/requirements inside)?


Group 4: Min. basic fee for residential projects?


PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR COMMENTS BELOW.