Architect contract: amount of the ancillary cost flat rate 6%

Hello dear community,

I have just received a first draft of our architect contract, where the ancillary cost flat rate is set at 6% of the net fee. (Chargeable construction sum 550,000 euros and thus 4512 euros ancillary cost flat rate).
Quick question for you: Is that reasonable?

The architect's office is 25 km (30 min) from the construction site and the contract covers all service phases.

Many thanks for a brief feedback.

Lars

With similar framework conditions, it is 5% of the net fee with us. The template contract of the Bavarian Chamber of Architects was used as a guide. We then had some "client-friendly" points added, since the template is understandably very much in favor of the architects.

Hi Elokine, thank you very much. What exactly did you add?
Cheers
Lars

We have added a possibility of termination at any time from our side, where the architect only receives payment for the services rendered so far. This is not standard; usually, a part of the lost contract must also be compensated. But for him, it was okay because he said it had never happened to him before. An additional clause regarding cost control and his early duty to inform was also added. You can google and compare templates for that. Nevertheless, we had a friend lawyer review it again.

Have you also spoken with other architects? The price asked for yours is already a big figure... Billing according to HOAI is not necessarily mandatory. If this is not THE ONE architect for you, I would take a look at an alternative.

Hello Osnabruecker,

Yes, we have spoken with two other architects, but have not received any concrete offers, as we liked the current one by far the best. He charges according to HOAI III (mittel), which seems plausible according to my literature research. He is somewhat better known in the region and specializes in the regional construction style that we aim to build.
However, I thought that all architects have to charge according to HOAI. Did I miss something there? There hasn’t been a ruling on the pending case yet, has there?
Best regards, Lars