#Architects' rates
Minimum rates for architectural projects in Poland - what do architects think about them? Are they needed, how should they be charged and how much could they be? We asked representatives of studios, both small, medium and large, developers and lecturers. Łukasz Gąska, an architect from the GWPA studio in Poznań, expressed his opinion on the matter. In his opinion, how to regulate wages in architecture?
The dire situation of architectural offices in Poland is a fact. In the worst position are medium and small studios, whose profitability and profitability are often on the verge of survival. At the same time, investments, especially from the residential sector, are increasing, which means there is something to design. In January 2025, more apartments were completed than a year ago, also the number of those whose construction has begun is higher (CSO data). However, the average quality of what is being built is not satisfactory. It is being built quickly, most often at a low cost, but at a record high profit. So why are architects one of the lowest-paid links in the industry?
When we discussed at this year's Budma what the quality of residential architecture in Poland depends on, the topic of architects' salaries dominated the debate. Mateusz Mastalski, a partner at the Danish studio Henning Larsen, who was present at the meeting , pointed out that in Denmark quality is due not only to tradition, good architectural education of the society or professional solidarity of architects, but also to the fact that they have more time for designing than in Poland and are better paid for their work. This correlation seems obvious.
So we continue the debate on salaries and ask Łukasz Gąska about architects' earnings.
Łukasz GĄSKA - architect, graduated with honors from the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning at the Poznań University of Technology. Winner of many international and national architectural competitions. Nominated for the Young Talent Architecture Award of the Mies van der Rohe Foundation. He gained experience in Polish architectural offices, working on multi-stage projects of multi-family residential, office, public utility and commercial buildings. He is a member of the Association of Architects of the Republic of Poland.
Should there be a guaranteed minimum rate per square meter of a project? Please briefly justify your answer.
No, the introduction of guaranteed minimum rates will not solve the problem of low wages of architects, because it is not the lack of minimum prices that is the main reason. The low salaries are due to other factors, which should be identified by in-depth market analysis and economic research. Guaranteed minimum prices, like any interference in the market, come with side effects, often working against expectations. In a market where there is already an oversupply of architects - as evidenced by data on the annual number of graduates and architectural design entities with stagnant and declining construction projects - prices for design services naturally fall or stagnate due to increasing competition. Setting administrative minimum rates may induce clients to seek cheaper alternatives in the underground economy, and enforcing such rates in a highly fragmented market would require huge expenditures that would not translate into real benefits. In addition, the introduction of minimum rates would limit opportunities for young studios and slow the industry's growth.
How much should the minimum rate without industry professionals be per square meter for multifamily residential architecture?
How much should the minimum rate without industry professionals be per square meter for single-family homes?
How much should the minimum rate without industry professionals be per square meter for office buildings?
How much should the minimum rate without tradesmen per square meter be for public buildings and spaces?
The rates should be recommended, not minimum rates, calculated, for example, using a calculator similar to the Czech one(Kalkulačky).
If the minimum rate should not be guaranteed, how to work out favorable wages for architects?
Via:
- Basic economics - involving IARP and SARP in the economic issues of our industry and responding to them. Raising awareness of how prices are formed in a market economy and what influences them.
- Educating the market - raising investors' awareness of the value of quality design, which will lead them to choose services based not only on price, but also on quality.
- Changing tender criteria - in public tenders, the selection criterion should not be based solely on the lowest price, but should also take into account the quality and comprehensiveness of the project.
- Self-regulation of the industry - creation of recommended (reference) rates by the architectural community, which can help negotiate and maintain decent salaries, without imposing rigid administrative regulations.
Should architects as a professional group have trade unions to deal only with the issue of architects' salaries?
No. The situation can be improved by activities within the SARP and IARP.
Lukasz GĄSKA
GWPA studio
more: A&B 4/2025 - RE-USE + architects' rates,
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