The HOAI is an abbreviation for the regulation governing fees for architectural and engineering services, which was last drafted in 2013. This regulation governs the calculation of fees for the basic services of architects and engineers based in Germany. A prerequisite is that the architectural and engineering services provided are covered by the regulation and that the service providers mentioned are based in the Federal Republic of Germany (cf. VOB/HOAI, Beck-Texte im dtv, 33rd edition 2017 – page 193).

This precisely regulates the minimum and maximum rates that architects and specialist planners must not fall below or exceed for their services. The fee is generally based on the construction cost of the object to be planned and also grants specialist planners additional remuneration in their fee proposals for special services not included in the HOAI.

The Fee Zones According to the HOAI
Depending on the level of difficulty and type of object, different fee zones are distinguished.
Depending on the specialist area, there are three or more fee zones, such as for the field of energy and building technology, which is referred to as technical building equipment according to the HOAI:

• Fee Zone I: low requirements
• Fee Zone II: average requirements
• Fee Zone III: high requirements.

Eligible Costs for the Fee
The eligible costs for the relevant specialist planners include the costs for the construction, conversion, modernization, maintenance, and repair of objects as well as the associated expenditures (cf. VOB/HOAI, Beck-Texte im dtv, 33rd edition 2017 – page 194). The planning architect or engineer must refer to the cost estimate prepared within the framework of DIN 276. DIN 276 governs the precise cost estimation and cost calculation of individual specialist trades, which will not be discussed in further detail in this work. If, for example, a fee is calculated too high, the client generally has the right to request a correction. A deviating cost arrangement between the planner and the client is prohibited by law in the Federal Republic of Germany, except for special services not listed in the HOAI.

Fee Proposal for the Planning of Your Construction Project
For your next construction project, we are available as engineering service providers in the field of energy and building technology as well as building physics. Whether new construction or conversion of residential buildings, production halls, residential and commercial buildings, underground car parks, hospitals, or other types of objects.

As an established planning office, we are available to you for all service phases 1 – 9 according to the HOAI with full commitment, through to the successful completion of your construction project.