RIBA Domestic Professional Services Contract 2020: Architectural Services

Fully revised and updated to align with the 2020 edition of the RIBA Plan of Work, the RIBA Domestic Professional Services Contract is for the appointment of an Architect or Consultant where the Architect/Consultant undertakes a commission for architectural services for simple, domestic projects of any value, in which the building works will be carried out using a traditional form of building contract, such as the RIBA Domestic Building Contract.

The RIBA Domestic Professional Services Contract has been prepared in accordance with the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and is an agreement between an Architect/Consultant and a consumer client relating to work to the client’s own home, including renovations, extensions, maintenance and new buildings, provided that the client has elected to enter into the agreement in their own name, ie. not as a limited company or legal entity or where the property will be let.

Under the CDM Regulations 2015, on projects with more than once contractor, a Principal Designer must be appointed to plan, manage, monitor and co-ordinate health and safety in the pre-construction phase of a project. The RIBA Domestic Professional Services Contract has the option for the Architect/Consultant to be appointed as the Principal Designer. On domestic projects (projects for a consumer client), if the client does not appoint a Principal Designer, the designer in control of the pre-construction phase of the project is deemed to be the Principal Designer.

The RIBA Domestic Professional Services Contract is not suitable for works where the property is to be let or for commercial or residential work undertaken for business clients, including charities, religious organisations, not-for-profit bodies, or where the client is a public authority. The RIBA recommends the use of the RIBA Standard or Concise Professional Services Contract for commercial projects.