Terms of Appointment
These Terms of Appointment govern all services provided by Addition Design Studio Ltd (“the Practice”) unless otherwise agreed in writing. By signing the Appointment Letter or instructing the Practice to proceed, the Client accepts these Terms.
1. Definitions
Client: The individual, company, or organisation instructing the Practice.
Project: The property or development described in the Appointment Letter.
Services: The architectural services set out in the Appointment Letter and Schedules.
Fees: The fixed charges payable by the Client as described in the Appointment Letter.
Submission: The formal submission of a planning application, lawful development certificate, or building regulations package.
2. Scope of Services
2.1 The Practice will provide the Services with reasonable skill, care, and diligence in line with professional standards.
2.2 Services are limited to those defined in the Appointment Letter. Additional work requested by the Client will be treated as a variation and may be subject to an agreed additional fee.
2.3 The Practice is not responsible for:
the work or performance of third parties (contractors, consultants, suppliers),
statutory approvals or consents beyond its control,
unforeseen site conditions.
3. Client Responsibilities
3.1 The Client must provide accurate and timely information and decisions needed for the Services.
3.2 The Client is responsible for the appointment and payment of third-party consultants (e.g. structural engineers, surveyors) unless agreed otherwise.
3.3 The Client is responsible for verifying legal boundaries and property ownership.
4. Amendments & Design Changes
4.1 Following issue of the initial design drawings, the Client has 28 calendar days to request amendments within the agreed scope of works.
4.2 Any amendments requested after the 28-day period will be treated as additional services and charged at an agreed additional fee.
4.3 Once a Submission has been made, any further design work, revisions required by the approving authority, or resubmissions will be treated as additional services and charged separately.
5. Fees & Payment
5.1 Fees are fixed as stated in the Appointment Letter and valid for 3 months from issue.
5.2 Fees will normally be invoiced in stages:
Stage 1: Appointment/Planning Drawings.
Stage 2: Any design changes requested that are either: beyond the scope set out in the Appointment Letter, utside of the 28 calendar day window or post planning application submission.
Stage 3: Building Regulations drawings (if applicable)
Stage 4: Any design/specification changes requested by the client, builder, building control or any others.
Stage 5: Optional services (interiors, landscaping, contract administration, etc.)
5.3 Invoices are due within 14 days of issue.
5.4 Late payments may incur interest and charges under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Regulations 1998.
5.5 Fees are payable regardless of the outcome of applications, approvals, or the Client’s decision not to proceed with the Project.
5.6 Disbursements (planning fees, surveys, specialist reports) are payable separately by the Client.
6. Liability & Insurance
6.1 The Practice maintains Professional Indemnity Insurance appropriate to its services. Proof can be provided on request.
6.2 Liability is limited to losses arising from breach of duty and capped at the lesser of:
the Fees paid, or
the amount recoverable under the Practice’s insurance.
6.3 The Practice is not liable for indirect or consequential losses.
6.4 A Net Contribution Clause applies: the Practice’s liability will be limited to its proportionate responsibility compared with others involved in the Project.
7. Intellectual Property
7.1 All drawings, designs, and documents remain the property of the Practice.
7.2 Upon full payment, the Client is granted a non-exclusive license to use the drawings for the Project at the site described in the Appointment Letter.
7.3 The drawings must not be reused, altered, or passed to others without written consent.
8. Dispute Resolution & Termination
8.1 Either party may terminate the Appointment with reasonable written notice.
8.2 The Client remains liable for all fees and expenses incurred up to termination.
8.3 In the event of a dispute, both parties will first seek to resolve it amicably. If unresolved, either party may refer the matter to adjudication under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (as amended).
9. General
9.1 Drawings will be issued in PDF format. Editable files (e.g. DWG) will not be provided unless agreed.
9.2 The Practice may photograph the Project for records and marketing, respecting the Client’s confidentiality on request.
9.3 These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales.
Schedule A: Services
Measured survey (visible and accessible dimensions only)
Planning submission drawings
Building Regulations submission drawings (if required)
Optional extras: interior design, joinery, landscape design, contract administration
Principal Designer duties under the Building Safety Act 2022 (subject to additional fee).
Schedule B: Payment Stages
Survey / Existing Drawings – £[amount]
Planning Application drawings – £[amount]
Building Regulations drawings – £[amount]
Additional services – £[amount or hourly rate]
Schedule C: Privacy
Personal data will only be used for delivering the Services.
Data may be shared with statutory bodies or consultants where required.
Data will be securely stored and retained in line with GDPR.In addition to architectural design, ADS offers supplementary services for an extra fee, including:
Additional Services:
Additional Services:
Joinery design
External hard landscaping design
Interior design (selection of interior décor)
Contract administration
Cost planning
Other considerations
Specialist consultants and engineers required for the project will be directly appointed and compensated by the client (unless otherwise agreed). ADS is not accountable for their work.
Under the new Building Safety Act 2022, the architectural designer is typically required to act as the Principal Designer, assuming Duty Holder responsibilities during the design phase of all projects. An additional fee will be charged for this during the design phase. Any other tasks associated with the Principal Designer role during the construction phase will be billed at an hourly rate of £65.00