RIBA Domestic Professional Services Contract 2020 (2024 and 2026 Amendments): Architectural Services

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, i.e., 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.

2026 amendment to RIBA Domestic Professional Services Contracts

We have made some changes to the suite of RIBA Domestic Professional Services Contracts in an effort to clarify for Domestic (Consumer) Clients the architect's responsibilities. These changes include clearer guidance on the net contribution clause and on clients putting in place contracts with the other consultants and contractors engaged in the project to ensure that appropriate recovery for loss is provided for, tighter controls on when additional fees can be charged, a reduction in the late payment interest rate to 5%, and clearer client rights around withholding disputed payments.

The contracts have also been updated to reflect the limitation periods under or pursuant to the Defective Premises Act 1972 as amended, and with clarification that the liability cap only applies where law permits.

Other changes include that architects/consultants must now agree photography rights with clients in advance, and the consumer's 14-day cancellation right has been made more prominent in the contract.

These changes only affect the RIBA Domestic Professional Services Contracts, namely:

• RIBA Domestic PSC 2020: Architectural Services (2024 and 2026 amendments)
• RIBA Domestic PSC 2020: Conservation Architectural Services (2024 and 2026 amendments)
• RIBA/BIID Domestic PSC 2020: Interior Design Services (2024 and 2026 amendments)

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