STANDARD SERVICE AGREEMENT, WORKFLOW, TERMS & CONDITIONS

Read the following to keep your project moving forward!

  • HYBRID WORK‍ ‍

    Our team works both in-office and remotely. Please email all files, information, and inquiries to our staff for efficient organization.

    EMAIL & TEAMS COMMUNICATIONS‍ ‍

    Email and Teams are the primary communication methods. For faster responses, include a clear message, project name, contact information, and any markups, images, or PDFs. More than one email per day or more than one progress request per week may be billed hourly.

    If you have issues accessing email, you can sign up for a free account with Google or Microsoft. ‍

    Click here for Teams setup instructions.

    UNOFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS

    ‍ Direct all calls, text messages, and voicemails to our staff using our main line at 248-886-4460.

    Communications sent to personal numbers outside of the main line are considered unofficial and may not be recorded or incorporated into your project.

    TEXTING

    Text messaging is limited to clients who have opted in and may be used only for scheduling, confirming appointments or meetings, and sharing quotes or invoices. Other text communications, especially to employee mobile phones, are not permitted.

    VOICE CALLS

    ‍Leave voice messages on the main line with your name, email, project name (if needed), and a clear reason for your call to get a response.‍ ‍

    Calls exceeding 15 minutes, conference calls, or more than one call per day will be charged hourly.

    DELIVERABLES

    ‍ All deliverables will be sent via shared links to your email. Please confirm with your provider that you can receive these links and attachments. Files will be delivered as a single PDF, which cannot be separated. Use PDF editing software for reviews or edits.

    DATA RETENTION POLICY

    ‍ The Design Professional intends to keep only final issued or current PDF drawings for long-term project, insurance, legal, accounting, and quality-control reference.

    Unless otherwise required, final PDF drawings may be retained for up to seven (7) years after the last service, final invoice, close-out, or termination, whichever is later. ‍

    The Client is responsible for keeping its own long-term PDF and hard-copy Project records. ‍

    Editable files—including Revit models, CAD files, working drawings, markups, photos, emails, consultant files, and other reference materials—are not guaranteed beyond one (1) year after Project completion. ‍

    Future work may require new site or building assessments, re-created Revit models, code review, or new drawings under a separate agreement or contract.

    The Design Professional retains ownership and control of remaining project data. The Client may not access or obtain it from consultants, former employees, subcontractors, or third parties without written authorization. Unauthorized use is prohibited and may be subject to legal remedies.

    GRAPHICS & TECHNOLOGY ‍

    Use digital tools such as photos, PDF markups, or email lists to share review comments. If digital tools are difficult, print the drawings, sketch by hand, photograph the sketch, and email it. Free PDF viewers and editors are available in most browsers.

    Below are two editors to use if you don't already have one.

  • DELIVERY

    Invoices will be sent via email communication, and you should anticipate receiving these notifications directly from QuickBooks.

    CARD PAYMENT

    If you want to pay by bank transfer or credit card, simply click the 'PAY INVOICE' button on your electronic invoice. Please note, there is a 3% processing fee for payments made with a credit card.

    CHECK PAYMENT

    Send payment to ‘BIGGdesigns, LLC’ at the office address.

    LATE FEE

    A monthly fee of 1.5% will be assessed on any outstanding balance following a 30-day grace period, or the maximum rate permitted by law, whichever is lower. If any part of an account remains unpaid for 90 days after billing, the client will be responsible for all collection costs, including reasonable attorney’s fees.

    PRE-PAYMENT

    Payment must be made before work begins, either in full or with a 30% deposit. Since architectural fees are frequently not covered by construction loans, clients often pay these fees using credit cards. ‍

    PAY LATER OPTION

    May be available on invoice, offered through AFFIRM. 

    ADDITIONAL FEES

    Additional charges may be incurred beyond the Service Estimate and will be reflected in your invoices as detailed in the Project Workflow and Terms. Modifications to the Scope of Work may result in fee adjustments. Plans will be provided upon receipt of payment for all outstanding invoices.

  • REIMBURSABLE EXPENSES ‍

    Read the Service Agreement, Fee Estimate, Project Workflow, and Terms and Conditions carefully. All Services will be charged at Hourly Rates or Cost+25% unless otherwise specified as Lump Sum in the Service Fee Estimate.

    HOURLY RATES ‍

    We prefer to provide upfront Lump Sum Service Fee Estimates. 

    Hourly rates may be provided as follows:‍ ‍

    • $150.00 PER HOUR

    • $1250.00 PER DAY

    REPRODUCTIONS‍ ‍

    With most authorities now requiring digital submissions, hard copies are rarely needed. Our plans are authorized for printing by most reproduction companies and can also be printed by us at $6.00 per sheet.

    SHIPPING ‍

    With most authorities now accepting digital submissions, hard copies of plans are seldom shipped.‍ ‍

    Plans can be shipped (or hand delivered within 50 miles) by request for a flat fee of $125, including packaging and shipping.

    MEETINGS

    Meetings can be held in-office or remotely via MS Teams based on project and client needs. Each phase includes one remote (MS Teams) or in-person meeting for up to one hour.

    The following meetings are billed hourly unless listed in the Service Agreement or Fee Estimate:

    • Conference calls, phone calls, and virtual meetings over 15 minutes

    • Meetings outside the office (e.g., client offices, municipal offices, site/field visits)

    • Municipal planning or zoning meetings (in-person or virtual)

    • In-office meetings exceeding one hour or more than one meeting per phase

    TRAVEL EXPENSES ‍

    Travel expenses, including parking, hotel, airfare, rental cars, meals, and related costs, will be billed at cost plus 25%, unless otherwise specified in an approved agreement or estimate.

    MILEAGE

    Mileage reimbursement will follow current IRS rates.

  • These Terms and Conditions are part of the approved Service Agreement so we can offer you our best product.

    CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES

    The Client and Design Professional waive all claims for consequential damages against each other.

    DELAYS

    The Design Professional is not responsible for Permit Management or construction delays, including force majeure events. Service schedules depend on variables beyond our control and are not guaranteed.

    DISPUTE RESOLUTION

    All disputes must go through mediation before any litigation.

    ENVIRONMENTAL

    The Design Professional is not responsible for identifying or removing hazardous substances at the job site. The Client is responsible for providing environmental study.

    NATIONAL LICENSING

    ‍If BIGGdesigns, LLC or the Design Professional is not licensed in your project's jurisdiction, we will collaborate with licensed architects, engineers, or consultants as needed. The client will be informed if such partnerships are arranged.

    LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

    The Client agrees that the Design Professional's overall liability will be capped at either the total fee paid to the Design Professional or $250,000.00, whichever amount is lower, for services provided on this Project. This limitation applies to all claims, whether they arise from a contract or a tort.

    OWNERSHIP OF INSTRUMENTS OF SERVICE

    The Design Professional retains all intellectual property rights, including copyrights, in the instruments of service, including services performed and drawings produced for the project. The Client may use the plans only for this project and only with its General Contractor and trades. Transferring to another client or contractor requires the Architect’s written consent and may require an additional service fee.

    RIGHT OF ACCESS

    The Design Professional may visit the job site at any time while work is being prepared or carried out. The Client and General Contractor are responsible for ensuring that the site is safe and accessible; if the Design Professional determines that site access is unsafe or inaccessible, access may be refused.

    REJECTION OF NONCONFORMING WORK

    ‍The Design Professional is permitted, but not required, to reject work that does not meet standards. If such work is found, the Design Professional must promptly inform the Client. The Client may choose to accept non-conforming work and, by doing so, releases the Design Professional from any responsibility or liability regarding that work.

    ‍STOP WORK

    The Design Professional is not authorized to issue stop work orders.

    ‍TERMINATION

    Either party can terminate the contract for convenience with 30 days’ written notice, or for cause with 7 days’ notice. The Client may suspend the Project with 30 days’ notice. Upon suspension or cancellation, the Client must pay all expenses incurred up to the notice date, and the Design Professional will provide all completed work to date once invoices are paid in full.

    INSURANCE

    ‍Professional Liability, General Liability, and Workers’ Comp insurance are maintained. Certificates of Insurance are available upon request.

    ‍EXPIRATION OF AGREEMENT

    Approved Service Agreement & Fee Estimates are valid for one year from the agreement date. Projects lasting more than one year may be required to have fee adjustments or a new agreement. If not approved within 90 days of the noted date, the agreement is void and a revised agreement with updated fees may be issued.

    DESIGN PROFESSIONAL

    ‍The term "Design Professional" refers to BIGG designs, LLC, including any employees hired directly or subcontractors retained by the company.

  • TIMELINE

    The design phase may take several months to more than a year, depending on project complexity and decision-making speed. Work follows the approved Project Workflow. Bypassing or expediting phases may reduce quality, cause delays, or increase costs. Allow adequate time for research, review, approval, payments, and required information at each stage.

    PRIORITY

    Project durations differ, and unexpected obstacles can arise. We will oversee your project with diligence while maintaining our responsibilities to other clients.

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  • Statement of Service Mark

    BIGG designs℠, BIGG architecture℠, BIGG interiors℠, BIGG digitization℠ and BIGG architecture +Interiors +Digitization℠ are service marks of BIGG designs, LLC, representing a suite of professional services in the built environment. These marks distinguish our specialized offerings in design, architecture, interiors, and digital innovation.

    Each mark reflects a distinct area of expertise:

    • BIGG designs℠: Our overarching creative direction and design philosophy, guiding all project phases from concept to completion.

    • BIGG architecture℠: Licensed architectural services including schematic design, construction documentation, permitting, and administration.

    • BIGG interiors℠: Interior design services such as space planning, finish selection, FF&E coordination, and vendor integration.

    • BIGG digitization℠: Advanced digital services including 3D BIM modeling, point cloud scanning, and immersive visualizations.

    Intellectual Property Disclaimer

    All service marks, including BIGG designs℠, BIGG architecture℠, BIGG interiors℠, BIGG digitization℠, and BIGG architecture +Interiors +Digitization℠ are the exclusive property of BIGG designs, LLC. These marks are protected under applicable trademark and intellectual property laws. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or imitation of these marks or any related branding elements is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action. Use of these marks without express written consent from BIGG designs, LLC is not permitted.