HOAI stands as an abbreviation for the Ordinance on Fees for Architects and Engineers Services, which was last drafted in 2013. This ordinance regulates the calculation of remuneration for the basic services of architects and engineers based in Germany. The prerequisite is that the provided architectural and engineering services 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 generally based on the construction sum of the object to be planned and additionally grants specialist planners extra 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 specialist area, there are three or more fee zones, such as for the specialist area of energy and building technology, which is designated as technical building equipment according to HOAI:

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

Billable Costs for the Fee
As billable costs, the respective specialist planners must consider the costs for construction, renovation, modernization, maintenance and repair of objects as well as related expenses (cf. VOB/HOAI, Beck-Texte im dtv, 33rd Edition 2017 – Page 194). The planning architect or engineer must reference the cost estimation that he has made within the framework of DIN 276. DIN 276 regulates the precise cost estimation and cost calculation of individual trades, which will not be discussed in detail in this work. If a fee is calculated too high, for example, the building owner generally has a claim to correction. A deviating cost arrangement between planner and building owner 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 engineering service providers in the specialist area of energy and building technology as well as building physics. Whether new construction and renovation measures for residential buildings, production halls, residential and commercial buildings, underground garages, hospitals or other object types.

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