Final invoice architect

... but it doesn’t make much sense not to have a payment plan. It has to be agreed somewhere when what is paid.
For additional work that we assign to our builder, it is handled so that we pay 60% in advance and the remaining 40% upon completion. On the other hand, with every partial payment (i.e. after the shell construction, after the roof, etc.) 3% of the invoice is always withheld as security. So after the house is completed, we basically still hold 6% of the agreed house price. 3% final installment + 3% security retention ...

60% advance payment is also far from correct. Just for your information:

Invalid clauses in the construction contract

According to the statutory model applicable in Germany, a builder is obligated to provide advance performance. He must initially provide performance in advance and can only demand partial payments pursuant to § 632a paragraph I of the German Civil Code (Baugesetzbuch) to the extent that he has previously rendered performance which results in an increase in value of the building.

Builders understandably try again and again to circumvent this advance performance obligation partially by drafting construction contracts in which favorable partial payments are agreed upon for them.

In about 80% of all construction contracts concluded between commercial builders and private home builders, these payment plans are unbalanced and disadvantage the builders.

Hello,

... but it's not very sensible to have no payment schedule. It must be agreed somewhere when what is paid.
For additional work that we outsource to our contractor, it is handled so that we pay 60% in advance and the remaining 40% upon completion. On the other hand, with every interim payment (after the shell construction, after the roof, etc.) 3% security is always withheld from the invoice. So that after completion of the house, we basically still hold 6% of the agreed house price. 3% final installment + 3% security retention ...

I think you misunderstood something. You are talking about a payment schedule regarding BU/GU/GÜ? But the original question referred to the architect's fee. And those are two completely different matters.

Please correct me if I am the one who misunderstood the initial question.......

Regards

... in the case of the 60% down payment, this only applies to invoices | work that is additionally commissioned to the house construction contract, such as media trench, additional excavation, construction site crossing, etc.

I understand the initial question to be that construction is carried out with the architect (i.e., simultaneously the builder)?

I understand the initial question to be that the building is done with an architect (thus simultaneously a contractor)?

Huh :confused:

Architect not equal to contractor

It must be distinguished whether the architect is part of the construction company; in this case, he is to be treated like the construction company, i.e., usually according to the Building Code. In this case, the final invoice is only due after completion and defect-free acceptance. It should be noted that if guarantees, e.g., for warranty, are agreed upon, the full final payment is to be made only after handing over the agreed guarantees – otherwise, an appropriate retention should be made.

It is different if an architect is commissioned separately for planning and construction supervision – independently of the construction company. In this case, the HOAI applies – even in the case of an oral commission. It depends on which service phases the architect is responsible for. Service phase 8 – construction supervision – is only due after completion of the house, including the review of the companies' final invoices and the rectification of defects and outstanding services identified during acceptance.

In short: pay the final invoice only when it's really finished.

Read through VOB Part C! Even an architect understands it.