Sometimes the architect is employed only to prepare preliminary rough sketches and the plans and specifications for a building, and having furnished these, the owner proceeds without him. At other times the architect is employed as the owner's representative in connection with the construction of the building. In this capacity he may perform some or all of the following services: obtain bids from contractors, award contracts to successful bidders, superintend the construction work, approve payments to those entitled to them, settle disputes, if any arise, and obtain necessary permits from authorities having jurisdiction. The architect sometimes renders the owner an opinion as the cost of a building in advance of the commencement of the work, but he is not bound by the estimate unless it is part of the agreement with him.

The following is taken from the yearbook of the New York Society of Architects. It is in accord with the rules of the American Institute of Architects.

"The architect's services comprehend the preliminary studies, the drawings, the specifications, the permits, the detail drawings and the supervision of the work.

"The architect's fee is based upon the total cost of the work and minimum fee is 6 per cent. The total cost comprehends all the material and labor necessary to make the structure complete, plus the contractor's profits, and all articles purchased under his direction, and the fee is bases on the value of new materials. When the architect is not retained to supervise the work, consultation fees and professional advice are to be charged according to the services rendered. The services of specialists are to be separate from the architect's commission. The entire fee is payable in the following apportionments:

"This fee is for ordinary professional work and does not include specialized services.

Exceptions

"The Preliminary Studies include the necessary conferences, inspections, studies, and sketches to determine the problem of his client.

"The Drawings consist of the plans, elevations, and sections to give the competent builder a clear understanding of all the structural conditions.

"The Specifications contain the statement of all the material entering into the construction, the question of quality and the character of the workmanship.

"The Permits comprehend the plans and specifications which are required by the City Departments for approval of the sanitary and structural requirements of the Code.

"The Detail Drawings are the necessary supplementary drawings to illustrate the material described in the specifications and the enlarged drawings of miniature detail.

"The Supervision of the architect means the inspection of the work during its progress to ascertain if it is in conformity with the plans and specifications. In this the architect has authority to order necessary changes, to act in emergencies arising during construction, to reject any part of the work not in accordance with the drawings and specifications and to order its removal and reconstruction.

"Continuous personal superintendence of the architect or his clerk-of-works, is not included in supervision. Such service is to be charged in addition to the regular commission.

"The drawings and specifications are instruments of service and as such should remain the property of the architect."