Contract template for architects
Most architectural disputes trace back to the brief and the budget. The client wants more space than the budget can build, the design follows the brief, the tender prices come in high, and the client asks why the architect designed something unaffordable. Write the brief and the construction budget into the appointment, and say what happens if tender prices exceed it.
The other big one is change after approval. Once drawings are submitted for permits or issued to a builder, changes ripple through engineering, approvals and cost. A contract that treats changes after an approved stage as additional work, priced on request, keeps the relationship intact when the client inevitably changes their mind.
Not legal advice. This is a plain-language starting point, not a contract drafted for your situation or your country. For anything large or unusual, have a lawyer where you work read it before you sign.
Clauses specific to architects
- Brief and budget. The design is based on the client's brief and construction budget as recorded in this appointment. Changes to either may require redesign, which is charged as additional work.
- Stages and approvals. Each stage ends with the client's written approval. Changes to an approved stage are additional work and are quoted before they start.
- Authority fees and consultants. Planning, permit and other authority fees, and the fees of surveyors and engineers, are paid by the client unless this appointment says otherwise.
- Copyright in drawings. The architect keeps copyright in the drawings and designs. On full payment the client may use them to build the project on the site named in this appointment, and for no other site.
- Site visits. Site visits are made to check general progress and conformity with the design. The architect does not supervise the builder's methods or site safety.
- Professional liability. The architect carries professional indemnity insurance. Liability is limited to the amount stated in this appointment, to the extent the applicable law allows.
The clauses every freelance contract needs
- Parties. Who the agreement is between: your legal name or business, the client's legal entity, and the addresses of both.
- Scope of work. What you will deliver, in what form, and what is explicitly not included. Refer to the quote or proposal by number if it lists the details.
- Fees and payment terms. The total fee or rate, the currency, any deposit, when invoices are issued and how many days the client has to pay.
- Late payment. What happens when an invoice is late: interest or a fixed fee if you want one, and your right to pause work until the account is settled.
- Changes and revisions. How many revision rounds are included, what counts as a change of scope, and how extra work is priced and approved.
- Timeline and client delays. Key dates, and that deadlines move when the client is late with feedback, content or approvals.
- Ownership and licence. Who owns the finished work and when (usually on full payment), what the client may use it for, and what you keep, such as your tools, templates and know-how.
- Confidentiality. Both sides keep the other's non-public information private, during the project and after it.
- Cancellation. How either side can end the agreement, the notice required, and payment for work done up to that point.
- Liability. A cap on what either side can claim, often the fees paid under the agreement, and no liability for indirect losses.
- Governing law. Which country's law applies and where disputes are heard. Usually where you are based.
A plain-language sample
Copy it, fill in the brackets, and cut what doesn't apply. Shorter is fine as long as the scope, the money and the rights are clear.
1. Parties
This agreement is between [Your name or business], the architect ("we"), and [Client legal name], the client ("you"), and starts on [date].
2. The work
We will deliver the work described in quote [number], dated [date]. Anything not listed there is outside this agreement and will be quoted separately before we start on it.
3. Brief and budget
The design is based on the client's brief and construction budget as recorded in this appointment. Changes to either may require redesign, which is charged as additional work.
4. Stages and approvals
Each stage ends with the client's written approval. Changes to an approved stage are additional work and are quoted before they start.
5. Authority fees and consultants
Planning, permit and other authority fees, and the fees of surveyors and engineers, are paid by the client unless this appointment says otherwise.
6. Copyright in drawings
The architect keeps copyright in the drawings and designs. On full payment the client may use them to build the project on the site named in this appointment, and for no other site.
7. Site visits
Site visits are made to check general progress and conformity with the design. The architect does not supervise the builder's methods or site safety.
8. Professional liability
The architect carries professional indemnity insurance. Liability is limited to the amount stated in this appointment, to the extent the applicable law allows.
9. Fees and payment
The fee is [amount and currency]. We invoice [a deposit of X on signing and the balance on delivery / monthly in arrears]. Invoices are due within [14] days. If an invoice is more than [14] days late we may pause work until it is paid.
10. Changes
The quote includes [number] rounds of revisions. Further changes, or changes to work you have already approved, are charged at [rate] once you have agreed to the cost in writing.
11. Delays
Dates in the quote assume you send feedback and material on time. If you are late, the dates move by at least the same amount.
12. Confidentiality
We both keep the other's non-public information confidential, during this project and after it ends.
13. Ending the agreement
Either of us can end this agreement with [14] days' written notice. You pay for the work done up to the end date, and anything already paid for is yours to use under the terms above.
14. Liability
Neither of us is liable for indirect or consequential losses. Our total liability under this agreement is limited to the fees you have paid under it.
15. Law
This agreement is governed by the law of [country], and disputes are heard by the courts of [city or country].
Signatures
Architect: [name, date]. Client: [name, title, date].
Questions architects ask
Who owns architectural drawings, the client or the architect?
In many countries the architect keeps copyright and the client gets a licence to build the project. Write the licence into the appointment, including which site it covers and whether the client can hand the drawings to another architect if the appointment ends.
What if building costs come in over budget?
The appointment should record the budget and say what happens: usually the architect revises the design to bring it back within budget, at no charge if the design ignored the brief, or as paid additional work if the client changed the brief.
Does an architect supervise the builder?
Usually not in the sense of managing the site. Architects visit to inspect progress and check the work follows the design. The builder is responsible for methods and safety. Say this plainly in the contract to avoid confusion later.
Get it signed without printing it
OIO has contract templates built in (service agreement, retainer, IP assignment, NDA) that you edit to fit, sign in the Sign app and send as a PDF. The contract sits next to the project and its invoices. Free plan, no card.
Start freeAlso for architects: invoice template and quote template. Contract templates for related trades: interior designers, 3D artists, business consultants. Or browse all contract templates.