#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. Wojciech Fudala, a member of SARP Katowice Branch and founder of Studio Wojciech Fudala, shared his opinion on the subject. In his opinion, what should be the minimum rates for architects?
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 Wojciech Fudala about architects' earnings.
Wojciech FUDALA - architect, urban planner and interior designer, has been running his own architectural studio since 2022. He has been a member of the Katowice branch of SARP since 2015, and served as a member of the branch's board of directors from 2019-2024. He was awarded the Silver Badge of SARP for his work.
Should there be a guaranteed minimum rate per square meter of a project? Please briefly justify your answer.
Poland, as a member state of the European Union, does not have the legal possibility today to introduce a guaranteed minimum rate of remuneration per square meter of a project. This is due to a 2019 ruling by the Court of Justice of the EU, which prohibited the imposition of such rates as contrary to the EU principle of freedom to provide services. Previously, minimum project rates were in effect in Germany, for example. The Honorarordnung für Architekten und Ingenieure (HOAI) ordinance regulated a fee range, which had to be within a certain framework, depending on the type and scale of the project. After the CJEU ruling, Germany had to withdraw from HOAI, and minimum rates became only a recommendation, not an obligation. Thus, in these realities, coming up with a good solution remains in the hands of architects, not politicians. We need to make investors aware that if they want to get something unique, the architect has to spend more time designing. This time costs money, of course, but will ultimately bring much higher returns to the investor, such as optimization of construction costs or higher earnings on usable space for apartments or services.
It is worth recalling an interesting solution, which is the Czech kalkulačka - a tool developed by the local Chamber of Architects. It supports the valuation process by estimating the work time according to the type of building (for example, residential, commercial), its size and complexity. Based on this, each architect individually determines his hourly rate. Thus, if one architect offers a lower price than another, it means only that an hour of his work is worth less than someone else's, not that the scope of his project will be incomplete. Although kalkulačka does not impose minimum prices, it provides transparency so that the investor better understands the value of a good project and knows what he is paying for.
How much should the minimum rate without tradesmen be per square meter for multifamily residential architecture?
So much so that the architect can devote an appropriate amount of time to design. This will increase the investor's profits from the sale of apartments, and the users of the space will live better.
How much should the minimum rate without tradesmen be per square meter for single-family houses?
So much so that the architect can devote an appropriate amount of time to designing the house. This will optimize the cost of building a single-family home and ensure maximum benefit for its future users.
How much should the minimum rate without tradesmen be per square meter for office buildings?
So much so that the architect can devote an appropriate amount of time to the design of office buildings. This will increase the investor's profits from the sale of offices, and the users of the space will be better off.
How much should the minimum rate without industry professionals be per square meter for buildings and public spaces?
So much so that an architect can devote an appropriate amount of time to designing such buildings and public spaces. This will benefit everyone who uses these spaces.
If the minimum wage should not be guaranteed, how to work out favorable wages for architects?
- First and foremost, our community must concern itself with popularizing architecture so that it once again becomes part of everyday culture. For this purpose, our foundation "Nicely" was established. We are creating it with a group of architects who decided to donate some of their time and knowledge for the sake of changing reality and greater appreciation of our profession. Through the organization of events, we want to raise awareness of the fact that knowledge and competence in design are essential for the proper functioning of the world and changing it for the better.
- It is worth publishing real estate sales prices, juxtaposing projects for which architects receive awards with those where architects are limited to the role of drawing contractors only. In this way, developers will see that if they go to architects who try to do something interesting, they can gain a lot from sales.
- In the case of tenders with several bids, the cheapest one and the most expensive one should be rejected first, choosing from the others.
- Architecture students should be educated from the beginning about the cost of the project and the value of our work. In this way, we would avoid unconscious underpricing by architects who are just entering the market.
Should architects as a professional group have trade unions to deal only with the issue of architects' salaries?
I don't see such a need.
Wojciech Fudala
architect
Read more: A&B 4/2025 - RE-USE + architects' rates,
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