Owner / Architect · ALA Contract Documents
Pre-Design Services Agreement (Hourly)
A short, clear agreement for feasibility studies, site analysis, programming, and other pre-design work billed by the hour, so you get paid for early thinking instead of giving it away while chasing the commission.
| Format | Editable Microsoft Word (.doc) file, ready to download as soon as your payment goes through |
| Price | $75 · free for Professional, Senior Professional, and Emeritus members |
| Drafted by | Husch Blackwell construction-law attorneys for the Association of Licensed Architects |
Checkout runs on the ALA member site. New buyers enter an email address to start, no membership needed. After you pay by card, your Word file downloads right away and the link is emailed to you too. Professional, Senior Professional, and Emeritus members log in and download free.
Who this document is for
- Architects doing feasibility, programming, or site studies before design begins
- Firms that bill early-phase work hourly before scope is defined
- Anyone who wants paid discovery instead of free proposals
Frequently asked
How is this different from other industry-standard forms?
Unlike forms written for the whole construction industry, the Pre-Design Services Agreement is drafted specifically from the architect’s perspective, in plain language your clients can read without their own attorney translating every clause.
Can I edit it for my project?
Yes. It arrives as an editable Microsoft Word file, so you can adapt names, scope, fees, and project-specific terms while keeping the attorney-drafted structure intact.