Agreement

Parties and Date

This Agreement is made between the Building Designer and the Client named in Items 1.1 and 1.3 of Part 1 on the date stated in Item 2 of Part 1.
Definitions of Terms in this Agreement

In this Agreement, except where the context or subject otherwise requires:
- Administrator means performing the roles selected under the heading of "Site Attendance and Contract Administration" in Part 3;
- Agreement means this agreement between the Building Designer and the Client;
- Building Designer means the person, partnership or corporation stated in Item 1.1 of Part 1;
- Claim means any cause of action, allegation, claim, demand, debt, liability, suit or proceeding of any nature howsoever arising and whether present or future, fixed or unascertained, actual or contingent, or at law (including negligence), in equity, under statute or otherwise;
- Client means the person, partnership or corporation stated in Item 1.3 of Part 1;
- Client Information means all documents (including sketches, photographs, drawings, plans or concepts) supplied by the Client to the Building Designer upon which the Building Designer is to base the Design Services and/or Works;
- Copyright means all rights in respect of the Documents arising under the Copyright Act;
- Copyright Act means the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth), as amended;
- Corporations Act means the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), as amended;
- Design Services means the services to be supplied by the Building Designer to the Client as selected in Part 3;
- Documents means any works (as defined in the Copyright Act) created by the Building Designer in the course of providing Design Services including (without limitation) all plans, drawings, drafts, revisions and other documentation relating to the Works;
- Estimated Total Construction Cost means the Client’s estimate of the Total Construction Cost as stated in Item 6 of Part 2;
- Fee means the amount payable by the Client to the Building Designer set out in clause 8 and Items 5 to 9 in Part 2 as payable and adjusted (if at all) in accordance with this Agreement plus any disbursements payable under clause 9;
- Governmental Agency means:
- Insolvency Event means any of these events in relation to a party (Defaulting Party):
- Intellectual Property Rights means any statutory and other proprietary right in respect of inventions, innovations, patents, utility models, designs, circuit layouts, mask rights, copyright (including future copyright), confidential information, trade secrets, know-how, trademarks and any other right in respect of intellectual property;
- Legislation means:
- Nominated Consultants means the consultants nominated by the Client as listed in Part 4;
- VBA Building Practitioner Number means the registration number granted to the Building Designer by the Victorian Building Authority;
- Total Construction Cost shall include all of the following:
- Unexpected Event affecting a party means anything outside that party’s reasonable control that the affected party is not able to either prevent or remove at reasonable cost, including strikes not involving its employees, fires, internet viruses or attacks, electrical outages, storms, floods, earthquakes, wars, riots, acts of terrorism or a pandemic declared by a Governmental Agency;
- Works means the specific project or undertaking to be performed at the address stated in Item 3 of Part 1 in respect of which the Building Designer is engaged to supply the Design Services; and
- Wrongful Conduct means any act or omission of a party which is:

Agreement

Nature of Agreement
1. The Building Designer's engagement under this Agreement shall:
  1. commence on the date stated in Item 2 of Part 1; and
  2. conclude on the earlier of:
    1. the date the Design Services are completed;
    2. the date the Building Designer's final tax invoice is paid;
    3. the date the Works are complete; or
    4. the date of termination under clause 12(b) or clause 19.
2. The Building Designer shall perform the Design Services for the Client in accordance with this Agreement.
3. The Client shall pay the Fee to the Building Designer in accordance with this Agreement.
Design Services
1. The Building Designer shall supply the Design Services using the reasonable skill and care of an ordinary building designer in the circumstances of the Building Designer at the time the Design Services are supplied.
2. The Client shall ensure that all requests, decisions and instructions required by the Building Designer from the Client are supplied accurately and within a reasonable time so as not to cause delay to the Design Services provided under this Agreement.
3. A maximum of 3 drafts will be issued during initial drawings concept stage. Any further drafts or changes or amendments required for any reason shall cost $850 Plus GST (per draft) A draft is defined as any drawing document emailed or issued by our office for client or other body examination and review. A revision is when changes are requested to that issued draft.
4. The Building Designer does not make council decisions or control timelines and cannot guarantee a successful town planning or any application outcome. The building designer shall be indemnified from any costs or damages that may arise.
Appointment as Administrator

Where the Design Services include the Building Designer acting in the role of Administrator, the Building Designer shall act as the agent of the Client at all times and not as an independent certifier or assessor.
Authority to Act as Agent

The Client expressly authorises the Building Designer to act on behalf of the Client for the purpose of making any application, appeal or referral under the Building Act 1993 (Vic), or the regulations under that Act and any other Legislation that affects the approval process or the scope of the Design Services.
The Works
1. The Client shall ensure that, prior to commencement of any on-site building work to which the Design Services relate, a building permit in relation to the Works has been issued and is in force under the Building Act 1993 (Vic).
2. The Building Designer does not warrant or represent to the Client that the design produced pursuant to this Agreement can be constructed for the Estimated Total Construction Cost. The Client will obtain its own independent advice as to the estimated and actual costs of constructing the design produced pursuant to this Agreement.

Agreement

Payment of Fees
1. The Client shall pay to the Building Designer the Fee, on the basis specified in Item 5 of Part 2, which will be one of the following bases:
  1. Percentage Basis
    Where the Fee payable is based on a percentage of the Estimated Total Construction Cost, the Fee shall be calculated in accordance with Item 6 of Part 2.
    
    Where the Total Construction Cost is higher than the Estimated Total Construction Cost, the Fee shall be increased so that the Fee is calculated as a percentage of the Total Construction Cost.
    
    Where the Total Construction Cost is lower than the Estimated Total Construction Cost, the Fee shall continue to be calculated as a percentage of the Estimated Total Construction Cost.
  2. Square Meter Rate (M2 Rate)
    When the fee is calculated based on the square meter rate, it considers the total gross floor area, including all structures, whether attached or unattached, such as outbuildings, sheds, verandas, pergolas, carports, and garages. The fee is computed as the total sum of the new gross floor area, encompassing both the existing and proposed building floor areas, both internally and externally.
  3. Lump Sum Basis
    Where the Fee payable is based on a lump sum, the Fee shall be the lump sum amount stated in Item 7 of Part 2.
  4. Hourly Time Charge Basis
    Where the Fee is payable on an hourly time charge basis, the rates payable by the Client to the Building Designer shall be as stated in Item 8 of Part 1. The Building Designer shall keep accurate time records to substantiate the Fee claimed on an hourly time charge basis.
2. If the Fee is to be paid in stages, then the Fee will be paid at the stages and in the proportions or amounts specified in Item 9 of Part 2.
3. If the Fee is not to be paid in stages, then the Client must pay the Fee progressively. The Building Designer will submit an account to the Client on the 1st of each month for payment of a proportion of the Fee referable to the value of the Design Services supplied during the calendar month preceding the submission of the account plus all disbursements incurred during that month. Payment of the account shall be due and payable on the 15th day of the month.
4. If the Client does not pay the Fee in accordance with this Agreement, the Building Designer, after providing the Client with a Notice of Client Default, in addition to any other remedy which may be available against the Client, may by notice to the Client suspend supplying any further Design Services pending payment or may terminate this Agreement in accordance with clause 19.
5. The Client indemnifies the Building Designer in respect of all costs, losses and damage incurred in respect of non-payment of the Fee, including but not limited to the legal costs associated with recovering the Fee.
Disbursements

The Client shall reimburse the Building Designer for disbursements reasonably incurred as stated in Item 10 of Part 2 for the purposes of supplying Design Services in accordance with this Agreement.

Any disbursements that cost more than the allocated amount, the balance must be paid in full plus 30% Excluding GST service fees.
Changes in Legislation

If a change in Legislation necessitates a change to the Design Services, the difference shall be added to or deducted from the Building Designer's Fee in accordance with clause 17.

Agreement

Nominated Consultants
1. Where the Client has not engaged the Nominated Consultants directly, the Building Designer shall act as the agent of the Client to engage the Nominated Consultants. All Nominated Consultants will be engaged by the Client pursuant to written contracts between the Client and the Nominated Consultants. The terms on which the Nominated Consultants are engaged shall not be inconsistent with the terms of the Building Designer's engagement under this Agreement.
2. The Client shall be responsible for all payments to Nominated Consultants.
3. If the Building Designer pays the Nominated Consultant or Authority on behalf of the Client, the Client shall reimburse the Building Designer for the payments, plus a service fee calculated at 30% Excl. GST of the paid amount, as a disbursement under clause 9.
4. If the 30% Excl. GST service fee equals less than $350 then the building designer shall request a min of $350 Excl. GST service fee for all consultants.
5. If the consultant has not been engaged by our office, then the building designer shall not liaise with the consultant unless otherwise agreed to in writing.
6. The Building Designer does not warrant or make any representation to the Client:
  1. that any Nominated Consultants are appropriate or suitable for the Works;
  2. that the scope of the services to be provided by the Nominated Consultants is appropriate or suitable; or
  3. the accuracy or quality of the Nominated Consultants' services.
7. The Building Designer shall have no liability to the Client in contract, tort, under statute or otherwise arising out of or in connection with the engagement of a Nominated Consultant or any services supplied by a Nominated Consultant. The Client shall not make any demand on the Building Designer or commence any legal proceedings against the Building Designer arising out of or in connection with any services supplied by a Nominated Consultant.
Engagement of Consultants
1. If the parties have not nominated or provided for the engagement of Nominated Consultants in Part 4, and during the performance of the Agreement, the Building Designer is of the opinion that a consultant or consultants should be engaged, the following conditions shall apply:
  1. Where the Client provides written consent to the consultant being engaged, the consultant shall be engaged on the same basis as set out in clause 11, and clause 11 shall apply in respect of the engagement.
  2. Where the Client does not agree to a consultant being engaged, either the Client or the Building Designer may terminate the Agreement by notice in writing to the other party.
  3. Where the Agreement is terminated in accordance with this clause 12(b), the Client shall pay to the Building Designer the sums due to date in accordance with this Agreement, together with an amount for loss of an expectation of a profit in contemplation of completing the Design Services.
Moral Rights, Copyright and Client's License to Use the Documents
1. The Client must not infringe any Intellectual Property Rights when supplying Client Information.
2. The Building Designer must not infringe any Intellectual Property rights when supplying the Design Services under this Agreement.
3. Each party shall take all necessary action to ensure that it does not cause the other party to infringe any other person’s rights (including Moral Rights) under the Copyright Act.
4. Copyright in the Documents prepared by the Building Designer in accordance with this Agreement is owned by the Building Designer, and reproduction in whole or in part of the Documents without the permission of the Building Designer will constitute an infringement of copyright in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act.
5. The Client is granted an irrevocable license to only use the Documents prepared by the Building Designer to produce the Works for which they are intended, at the site to which the design relates, provided that:
  1. The Client has paid all amounts due and payable to the Building Designer in accordance with this Agreement, regardless of termination of this Agreement by either party for any reason; and
  2. The Building Designer has completed the Design Services commissioned by this Agreement.
6. Subject to further written permission from the Building Designer, the Building Designer does not grant the Client a license to use the Documents other than in accordance with clause 13(e). No license is granted to allow a third party who is a subsequent owner or developer of the site to use the Documents.
7. The Building Designer may consent to allow a third party who is a subsequent owner or developer of the site to use the Documents, which may include payment of an additional sum to cover the costs, losses, and expenses of the Building Designer (as determined by the Building Designer).
8. The Client shall ensure that clause 13(e) is included in any contract of sale of the site to which the Documents relate.
9. For the avoidance of doubt, the parties agree that:
  1. The Client shall not reproduce the Documents or reproduce the design on another site without the written consent of the Building Designer, which may include payment of an additional sum as determined by the Building Designer.
  2. The Client shall not make, or allow to be made, any modifications to the design of the Works (as embodied by the Documents) without the written consent of the Building Designer.
  3. The Documents prepared by the Building Designer remain the property of the Building Designer. The Building Designer shall retain the Documents. The Client is entitled to one copy of the final set of the drawings which form part of the Documents, as a record of the Works. This copy will be provided either by hard copy or as an electronic (PDF) copy. The Client shall not be entitled to any electronic (CAD) file copy of any of the Documents, as the parties agree that electronic copies of the drawings forming part of the Documents will only be provided in PDF.
  4. In accordance with Part IX of the Copyright Act, the Building Designer shall be given full attribution for the design of the Works (as embodied by the Documents), and all promotional material, advertising, and media releases prepared by the Client or the builder of the project shall identify the Building Designer.
  5. It is acknowledged that the Building Designer has a right of integrity of authorship to the Documents, and that all promotional material, advertising, and media releases prepared by the Client, the Builder, or any other third party relating to the Works shall not subject the Building Designer’s work to derogatory treatment in accordance with the Copyright Act.
Unauthorised Use of Building Designer’s VBA Building Practitioner Number
1. The Client shall not be permitted to use the Building Designer’s VBA Building Practitioner Number for any reason whatsoever without the express written consent of the Building Designer, describing the exact purpose for which the Building Practitioner’s VBA Building Practitioner Number is to be used.
2. The Client shall not be entitled to use the Documents to which the Building Designer’s VBA Building Practitioner Number has been affixed without obtaining the express written consent of the Building Designer, permitting the Client to use the Building Designer’s VBA Building Practitioner Number.

Agreement

Indemnities and Limitations of Liability
1. Where the Client supplies Client Information to the Building Designer, the Client shall indemnify and keep indemnified the Building Designer and its officers, employees, and agents (those indemnified) at all times against all actions, proceedings, claims, demands, liabilities, either express or implied, whatsoever which may be taken against those indemnified and for all costs, losses, losses of profit, damages, and expenses incurred or which become payable by those indemnified, that result or arise from any claim for infringement of any patent, registered design, trademark, copyright, Moral Rights, or any other property interest of a third party which may result out of the use by those indemnified of the materials provided by the Client which the Design Services and/or Works are based upon.
2. The Client indemnifies the Building Designer and its officers, employees, and agents (those indemnified) from and against any:
  1. loss or liability incurred by those indemnified;
  2. loss of or damage to property of those indemnified; or
  3. loss or expense incurred by those indemnified in dealing with any Claim against it including legal costs and expenses on a party/party basis and the cost of time spent, resources used or disbursements paid by those indemnified,
  arising from any Wrongful Conduct by the Client in connection with this Agreement.
3. The Client’s liability to indemnify those indemnified under clauses 15(a) and 15(b) will be reduced proportionately to the extent that any Wrongful Conduct of those indemnified caused or contributed to the relevant liability, loss, damage, or expense.
4. The indemnities contained in this clause 15:
  1. are subject to and are not intended to limit the operation of or contract out of any law with respect to proportionate liability;
  2. do not extend to that part of any loss or damage that arises from a separate causative event; and
  3. do not require the Client to indemnify those indemnified in an amount that would exceed any limitation of liability contained in this Agreement.
5. The right of a party to be indemnified under this clause:
  1. is in addition to, and not exclusive of, any other right, power, or remedy provided by law; and
  2. does not entitle the party to be compensated in excess of the amount of the relevant liability, loss, damage, or expense.
6. The Client agrees that the Building Designer will be taken to be acting as agent or trustee for and on behalf of those indemnified.
7. The Building Designer shall have no liability to the Client for or in respect of any indirect or consequential losses (including without limitation loss of actual or anticipated profit or revenue, business interruption, delay costs, financing costs, holding costs, and loss of opportunity), even if such loss or damage was reasonably foreseeable, arose naturally, or was in the contemplation of the parties.
8. The Building Designer’s total aggregate liability to the Client arising out of or in connection with the Design Services, whether under the law of contract, in tort (including negligence), in equity, under statute or otherwise, is limited to the Fee. The limit of liability provided for in this clause does not apply to liability for willful misconduct, or fraudulent or criminal acts or omissions.
9. To the extent that the Building Designer has any liability to the Client, the Client must give notice of any Claim it may have against the Building Designer within two years from the date the Building Designer's engagement under this Agreement concludes in accordance with Clause 3(a), and the Client shall not be entitled to commence any action or bring any Claim whatsoever against the Building Designer after that date, unless the Client issues legal proceedings against the Building Designer before that date.
10. If, and to the extent that, any of this clause 15 is void as a result of section 64 of the Australian Consumer Law, then the Building Designer's liability for a breach of a condition or warranty is limited to:
  1. the supplying of the relevant Design Services again; or
  2. the payment of the cost of having the Design Services supplied again.
Unexpected Events
1. If an Unexpected Event affecting a party precludes that party (precluded party) either partially or wholly from complying with its obligations under this Agreement, then:
  1. as soon as reasonably practicable after that Unexpected Event arises, the precluded party must notify the other party of the Unexpected Event, how it is affecting the precluded party’s performance (to the best of that party’s knowledge), the anticipated period of delay, and what the precluded party intends to do to either mitigate or remove the effect of the delay if possible; and
  2. to the extent and for the period that the precluded party is precluded by the Unexpected Event from complying with its obligations under this Agreement, those obligations will be suspended.
2. The precluded party must act as promptly as possible to take all reasonable steps available to either mitigate or remove the Unexpected Event and its effect.
3. Clause 16(a) does not apply to any obligation to pay money.
Variations in Design Services
1. Where any variation in Design Services is required by the Client or the Design Services are varied due to causes beyond the control of the Building Designer, the Client must give the Building Designer written notice outlining the variation. The scope of the Design Services cannot be varied except by written notice delivered under this clause 17.
2. Within 7 days of receiving a notice under clause 17(a), the Building Designer must give the Client a notice that:
  1. states the effect the variation will have on the Design Services and the Works;
  2. if the variation will result in any delays, states the Building Designer’s reasonable estimate as to how long those delays will be; and
  3. states the cost of the variation and the effect it will have on the Fee.
3. The Building Designer must comply with clause 17(b) prior to proceeding with the variation.
4. If both parties agree to proceed with the variation, the Fee shall be adjusted by the value of all variations, with the value ascertained based on the rates set out in Item 8 of Part 2.

Site Signage

The Client expressly authorises the Building Designer to erect temporary site signage that identifies the project as being designed or documented (as applicable) by the Building Designer. The form and positioning of the site signage shall be determined by the Building Designer, subject to any reasonable objection made by the Client. The Client shall allow the Building Designer to maintain the site signage until completion of the Works.
Termination of Agreement
1. By the Building Designer
  1. Should the Client:
    1. fail to pay the Building Designer any amounts payable in accordance with this Agreement; and/or
    2. be in breach of any provisions of this Agreement; and/or
    3. show rude or aggressive behavior; and/or
    4. fail to communicate within a timely manner within 3 business days; or
    5. experience an Insolvency Event,
    (a "Client Default"), the Building Designer may give the Client a written notice requiring that the Client remedy the Client Default within 7 days.
  2. If the Client fails to remedy the Client Default within 7 days of receiving the notice referred to in clause 19(a)(i) to the reasonable satisfaction of the Building Designer, the Building Designer shall be at liberty to terminate this Agreement by giving 7 days' notice in writing to the Client.
  3. Upon termination of this Agreement by the Building Designer, the Client shall pay all amounts payable in accordance with this Agreement for the Design Services executed up to the date of termination of this Agreement, together with an amount for loss of an expectation of profit in contemplation of completing the Design Services.
2. By the Client
  1. Should the Building Designer:
    1. fail to supply the Design Services with reasonable care and skill, and/or
    2. be in breach of any provision of this Agreement; and/or
    3. experience an Insolvency Event,
    (a "Building Designer Default"), the Client may give the Building Designer a written notice requiring that the Building Designer remedy the Building Designer Default within 7 days.
  2. If the Building Designer fails to remedy the Building Designer Default within 7 days of receiving the notice referred to in clause 19(b)(i) to the reasonable satisfaction of the Client, the Client shall be at liberty to terminate this Agreement by giving 7 days' notice in writing to the Building Designer.
  3. Upon termination of this Agreement by the Client, the Client shall pay all unpaid amounts due and payable to the Building Designer in accordance with this Agreement for the Design Services executed up to the date of termination of this Agreement.
Dispute Resolution Process
1. If any dispute or difference arises between the Building Designer and the Client in connection with this Agreement, either the Building Designer or the Client shall give the other a written notice of dispute identifying and providing details of the dispute.
2. Within 14 days of service of the written notice of dispute, the Building Designer and the Client shall confer at least once to resolve the dispute.
3. If the dispute is not resolved within 21 days of service of the written notice of dispute, and the amount in dispute is greater than $10,000, then the dispute must be referred to mediation. If the parties cannot agree on the mediator, then a mediator shall be selected by the President of the Victorian Chapter of Resolution Institute.
4. The parties must pay the mediator's remuneration in equal shares. The Resolution Institute Mediation Rules, as amended and updated from time to time, shall apply to the mediation.
Interest / Administration & Recovery Fees

Any amount which is not paid by the date required in this Agreement shall entitle the creditor to interest on the amount at the rate of 5% over the Commonwealth Bank Bill Rate from the due date until payment. Recovery Fees shall be added to the outstanding amount.
Governing Law

The laws in force in Victoria govern this Agreement.
Entire Agreement, No Assignment, Variation, No Representations
1. This Agreement is the entire agreement between the parties on everything connected with the subject matter of this Agreement. This Agreement supersedes any prior agreement connected with that subject matter.
2. This Agreement cannot be varied unless the variation is in writing and signed by the parties.
3. The parties acknowledge that no reliance has been placed on any prior agreement or representation.
4. A party may not assign or sub-contract the whole or any part of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of both parties.
5. A waiver of any provision of, or right or obligation under, this Agreement must be in writing.
6. The parties warrant and represent that:
  1. The parties have been provided with an effective opportunity to negotiate the terms of this Agreement; and
  2. The terms of this Agreement are reasonably necessary to protect the legitimate interests of the parties to this Agreement.
7. All exclusions, indemnities, and limitations of liability contained in this Agreement shall survive:
  1. termination of this Agreement; and
  2. the conclusion of the Building Designer's engagement under this Agreement in accordance with Clause 3(a).
Additional Conditions of this Agreement
1. If there are any additional conditions applicable to this Agreement, then those conditions will be signed by both parties and attached to this Agreement. The additional conditions shall take precedence to the extent of any inconsistency.
2. Our office shall use information provided by the client. Any further information required shall be paid for as a disbursement upon invoice.
3. If the owners have provided our office with another office drawings, then the owners must obtain written consent from the original author and release the building designer from any copyright infringements. Our office shall not proceed with any works until this letter of consent has been received.
4. Please note that all planning applications could typically take up to 12 months to reach outcomes and even longer now due to COVID-19.
5. All permit applications, once lodged, are under the control of the relevant authority. Whilst we may follow up on your behalf, we cannot control job timeframes, and this matter remains beyond our office's control.
6. Rude or aggressive behavior will not be tolerated and may result in the building designer canceling the contract. An up-to-date invoice will be issued and will include a job cancellation fee.

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Part 5: Terms and Conditions

Agreement

Parties and Date

Definitions of Terms in this Agreement

Nature of Agreement

Design Services

Appointment as Administrator

Authority to Act as Agent

The Works

Payment of Fees

Disbursements

Changes in Legislation

Nominated Consultants

Engagement of Consultants

Moral Rights, Copyright and Client's License to Use the Documents

Unauthorised Use of Building Designer’s VBA Building Practitioner Number

Indemnities and Limitations of Liability

Unexpected Events

Variations in Design Services

Site Signage

Termination of Agreement

By the Building Designer

By the Client

Dispute Resolution Process

Interest / Administration & Recovery Fees

Governing Law

Entire Agreement, No Assignment, Variation, No Representations

Additional Conditions of this Agreement

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