Yes. Many agreements do by phase.

Should fee be the deciding factor?

Among qualified firms, process and communication matter as much as fee.

Costs & fees 7 min read

Percent vs hourly vs fixed design fees

Compare the three common design fee models, when each fits, and how to avoid surprises in additional services.

There is no universally “best” fee model — only better fits for how clear your scope is and how much change you expect.

Construction cost is reasonably estimated and you want fees to scale with project ambition. Watch for circular incentives and undefined cost bases.

You have a clear brief and want cost certainty for design. Invest time up front defining exclusions.

You are exploring feasibility, interviewing options, or dealing with unknown existing conditions. Use not-to-exceed caps when possible.

Normalize scope first, then price. A cheap proposal missing engineering or CA is not cheaper.

Can I mix models?: Yes. Many agreements do by phase.
Should fee be the deciding factor?: Among qualified firms, process and communication matter as much as fee.

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