#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. Miroslaw Wojcieszak, an architect from Poznań, expressed his opinion on the matter. What, in his opinion, should architects' salaries depend on?
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 Miroslaw Wojcieszak about architects' earnings.
Miroslaw WOJCIESZAK - architect, graduate of the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning at the Poznan University of Technology. He has more than 10 years of experience in renowned architectural studios in Poznań (Neostudio, Litoborski+Marciniak Biuro Architektoniczne, Lab 3 Architekci ), where he was involved in the design of multi-family residential, office, public utility, commercial and retail buildings. Since 2021, a member of the Chamber of Architects of the Republic of Poland. Since 2023 member of the Association of Architects of the Republic of Poland.
Should there be a guaranteed minimum rate per square meter of the project? Please briefly justify your answer.
No, because setting a minimum rate per square meter may cause a decrease in the competitiveness of studios based on better and faster (more expensive) technologies, more qualified and experienced staff and so on. It seems fairer to work out a way of hourly billing taking into account the qualifications of employees, the software used. Besides, how to compare the rates of an architect working in Warsaw, bearing the costs of living in a large city, with the rates of an architect working in a smaller county?
How much should the minimum rate without industry professionals be per square meter for multi-family residential architecture?
It depends - how big a team is working on it, on what software, how complex the project is and what is the scope.
How much should the minimum rate without tradesmen per square meter be for single-family houses?
It depends - what is the scope of the project, for example, how many details are to be worked on, how complex the plot is, how many client changes are to be included in the project.
How much should be the minimum rate without tradesmen per square meter for office buildings?
It depends - how complicated the project is, whether it is to be certified, in what location, how complex the installations are to be coordinated, what is the scope of the project.
How much should be the minimum rate without tradesmen per square meter for buildings and public spaces?
It depends - what is the scope of the development, the location, the complexity, under what procurement procedure it is carried out.
If the minimum rate should not be guaranteed, how to work out favorable wages for architects?
We should work to strengthen the position of IARP and SARP by increasing their membership, coordinating joint efforts to lobby for favorable solutions, including taking into account the quality and valuation of project documentation when estimating credit risk. The next step is to clearly define the scope of projects. Ready-made bid and contract forms developed by IARP and SARP that include a uniform comparable project scope would be helpful. This would help in negotiations with investors and allow bids to be compared fairly.
Should architects as a professional group have trade unions that would only deal with the issue of architects' salaries?
It seems that already with two organizations - SARP and IARP - it is sometimes difficult to agree on some issues, so adding another one will not improve the situation. One should work on consolidating the environment.
Mirosław WOJECIESZAK
GWPA studio
more: A&B 4/2025 - RE-USE + architects' rates,
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