HOAI stands as an abbreviation for the Ordinance on Fees for Architectural and Engineering Services, which was last drafted in 2013. This ordinance regulates the calculation of fees for the basic services of architects and engineers based in Germany. The prerequisite is that the architectural and engineering services provided are covered by the ordinance and the mentioned service providers are based in the Federal Republic of Germany (cf. VOB/HOAI, Beck-Texte im dtv, 33rd Edition 2017 – Page 193).

This precisely regulates which minimum and maximum rates architects and specialist planners may not fall below or exceed for their services. The fee is basically based on the construction sum of the object to be planned and also grants specialist planners additional compensation in their fee offers, which are not included as special services in the HOAI.

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

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

Billable Costs for the Fee
As billable costs, the costs for the construction, renovation, modernization, maintenance and repair of objects as well as the related expenses must be considered for the applicable specialist planners (cf. VOB/HOAI, Beck-Texte im dtv, 33rd Edition 2017 – Page 194). The planning architect or engineer must refer to the cost calculation that he made within the framework of DIN 276. DIN 276 regulates the exact cost estimation and cost calculation of the individual trades, which will not be discussed in detail in this work. If a fee is calculated too high, for example, the client usually has a claim for correction. A deviating cost regulation between planner and client is not permitted by law in the Federal Republic of Germany, apart from the special services not listed in the HOAI.

Fee Offer for Planning Your Construction Project
For your next construction project, we are happy to be available as an engineering service provider in the specialty area of energy and building technology as well as building physics. Whether new construction and renovation measures for dormitories, production halls, residential and commercial buildings, underground garages, hospitals or other types of objects.

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