A revised design can involve new services, repeated work or a correction of an existing obligation. The August dossier shows why the scope of the change should be understood before discussing the fee.
August 2026 practice dossier. A thematic entry in the annual archive, prepared and legally reviewed on 13 November 2026. This is not a claim that it was published or that legislation changed in that month.
Describe the additional service
Record the original brief, approved design stage, reason for revision and deliverables now requested. Identify which drawings, calculations or coordination work must be repeated. Separate an employer’s new requirement from rectification of defective planning. The labels used in an invoice do not replace an explanation of the work commissioned and performed. Keep the approval history alongside the fee agreement.
Check the agreement and applicable fee framework
Section 7 HOAI gives importance to the fee agreement in text form and provides a baseline rule where the relevant agreement is absent. Consumer information duties require separate attention. The current framework should not be confused with older mandatory minimum and maximum fees. For phased appointments, determine whether a later phase was actually instructed and whether the agreed fee covers the revised services.
Project review checklist
- Compare the original brief with the revision request.
- Identify repeat work and changed deliverables.
- Agree scope and remuneration before the revised work starts.
Four practical examples
These illustrative scenarios are fictional examples, not accounts of client matters.
New room layout
The employer changes the layout after approval. Identify the drawings and calculations that must be revised and agree their remuneration. Do not assume that every change is included in a general coordination duty.
Planning error
A calculation must be corrected because it fails the agreed requirements. Examine whether the task is remedial work rather than an additional commissioned service. The reason for repetition matters as much as its volume.
Uncalled phase
A planner starts a later phase without a clear instruction. Review correspondence, options and authority before treating the work as commissioned. A programme entry alone may not settle the contractual position.
Budget change
A cheaper design is requested following a funding decision. Record which work becomes unusable and which alternatives are to be developed. This helps distinguish an amended brief from disagreement about the original fee.
Further guidance and sources
Explore the related construction law service