Architects and quantity surveyors were given the go-ahead to charge their clients up to Ksh20,000 per hour for services rendered.
The new rates will depend on the experience of the professionals, according to a rate review for the financial year 2022/23 issued by the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors of Kenya (BORAQS) on Thursday, October 13.
Only years of practice post-registration with the board will count toward the fee charged per hour.
The highest-earning architects and QSs with over 12 years will earn the most at Ksh20,000, with the budding ones charging as low as Ksh5,000 per hour.
"Note, the rates exclude travelling costs, accommodation costs, and taxes," wrote Registrar and quantity surveyor George Omondi.
On the flip side, the lowest earning members of the governing body are those with a portfolio of between one and three years, whose pay has been capped at a minimum of Ksh5,000 hourly.
Those with between four to five years will pocket Ksh8,000, while the rate for professionals with between six and seven years is Ksh10,000 hourly.
Architects and quantity surveyors with an experience of between eight and 12 years will take home Ksh15,000 for every 60-minute assignment.
BORAQS has 964 architects and 594 QSs registered with it, alongside 194 architectural and 134 quantity surveying firms.
The new rates were welcomed by the professionals, who called for the board to develop a mechanism for the new rates to be implemented.
Meanwhile, Kenyans who seek the services of home developers protested the rates, some arguing that the per-hour tag may inflate construction budgets.
"My problem comes with this. I have an architect with over 15 years of experience but his role in the project is to draw something. Now I have to charge a higher hourly rate because of his years of experience and not based on the role, task, or company expenses?" Eric Kigada noted.
Architects noted that the service fee should depend on their agreement with the clients and firms they work for.
