PALA 200

Technical Standards of Professional Practice

Guides to the Landscape Architect’s professional practice covering how services are rendered, compensation, fees, and rights and obligations of the Landscape Architect and Client.

PALA Document 201

Pre-Planning and Pre-Design Services.

PALA Document 202

Regular Landscape Architecture Design Services.

PALA Document 203

Specialized Landscape Design and Allied Services.

PALA Document 204

Landscape Construction Management Services.

PALA Document 205

Post-Construction Services.

PALA Document 206

Project Management Services.

PALA Document 207

Design-and-Build Engagements.

RA 9053

Landscape Architecture Act of 2000.

PALA

Philippine Association of Landscape Architects.

BOLA

Board of Landscape Architecture.

PRC

Professional Regulation Commission.

201.1 Pre-Planning and Pre-Design Services

Services prerequisite to planning and design or stand-alone background studies supporting future planning and design.

201.2 Manner of Providing Services

The Landscape Architect may provide services directly to the Client or indirectly as an associated consultant to a lead consultant.

In-house Staff

Employed staff working under the direct supervision and control of the Landscape Architect.

Out-sourced Staff

Contracted staff working under the direct supervision and control of the Landscape Architect.

201.3 Pre-Planning and Pre-Design Scope

Includes economic feasibility, project finance, programming, site selection, land-use studies, space management, project promotion, visual resources, EIA/IEE, project briefs, plan review, and expert witness services.

Economic Feasibility Studies

Determines Project viability by comparing development cost with potential returns to the Client.

Project Finance

Apprises the Client of lending requirements, income-expense relationships, and relative demand for different types of development.

Site Development / Landscape Architectural Programming

Investigates, identifies, documents, interprets, and prescribes the Client’s needs for future planning and design.

Site Selection and Analysis

Identifies candidate sites and evaluates their adequacy using criteria such as land use, topography, accessibility, geotechnical conditions, costs, community, and legal considerations.

Site Utilization and Land Use Studies

Uncovers site constraints and development potentials through appropriate utilization of land.

Space Management Studies

Analyzes space requirements based on structural organization and functional setup, including human behavior, linkages, and interaction of spaces.

Project Promotions

Generates financial support and public acceptance through promotional materials, meetings, media appearances, and translation services.

Visual Resources Inventory and Assessment

Itemizes and assesses the site’s visual resources against the Project’s intended development.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

A full-dress study determining and predicting positive and negative Project impacts on the environment and prescribing mitigating measures.

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE)

An abbreviated environmental study determining and predicting Project impacts and prescribing mitigating measures.

Project Brief

A document outlining the requirements of a Project and the manner and format for proposals, submittals, and schedules of accomplishments.

Terms of Reference (TOR)

A document outlining the requirements and prescribed format for proposals and services.

Review of Plans and Designs Made by Others

Evaluation of plans and designs made by other Landscape Architects.

Expert Witness Service

Professional expert opinion provided before government agencies, courts, legislative inquiries, adjudicating bodies, or professional associations when requested or required.

201.4 Methods of Fee Compensation

Compensation may be agreed upon using time-scale, percentage-scale, or lump-sum methods.

Time-Scale Charges

Compensation based on actual man-hours or a negotiated upper limit, with hourly rates possibly multiplied for overhead and reasonable profit.

Time-Scale Upper Limit

The negotiated maximum amount of time covered by the compensation arrangement.

Lump-sum Charges

Compensation computed from estimated Project time or a percentage of Project cost, with the agreed lump-sum fee being payable unless variation was agreed.

Percentage-Scale Charges

Compensation based on a percentage of reasonably estimated Project development cost.

201.4.4 Government Projects

Government Project compensation is subject to applicable laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines on Hiring of Consultants.

Late Payment Interest

Prevailing BSP rate plus 2% per annum on fees and other amounts unpaid within 30 days from receipt of billing, unless otherwise agreed.

Taxes on Fees

The Landscape Architect’s fee is net of tax; taxes due are for the Client’s account.

Reimbursable Costs

Disbursements actually and properly incurred by the Landscape Architect in rendering contracted services.

201 Progress Payment Upon Agreement Signing

10%–15%.

201 Progress Payment Upon Inception Report

10%–15%.

201 Progress Payment Upon Pre-final Report

40%–50%.

201 Progress Payment Upon Final Report

20%–40%.

Submittals under PALA 201

Drawings, specifications, documents, and materials that are instruments of service and bear the prescribed seal and signature.

Ownership of Signed Submittals

Signed and sealed documents remain the property and documents of the Landscape Architect.

Duplication of Submittals

Documents cannot be duplicated for other projects without written consent of the Landscape Architect or author.

202 Regular Landscape Architecture Design Services

A sequence of design phases intended to carry conceptual design to a bid-ready and constructible stage.

202 Design Phases

Schematic/Conceptual Design, Design Development, Contract Documents, and Construction Phase.

202.1 Objective

To carry conceptual design to a stage where the Project may be bid out and constructed according to the design intent.

Schematic / Conceptual Design Phase

Establishes the design theme and concept and develops schematic studies leading to a recommended solution for Client approval.

Concept Plan

A plan accompanied by a general Project narrative and Statement of Probable Cost of Construction.

Statement of Probable Cost of Construction

An estimated construction cost based on current Project parameters.

Design Development Phase

Prepares plans, elevations, drawings, and outline specifications fixing and illustrating the size, quality, character, materials, structures, and related works.

Contract Documents Phase

Brings developed designs to bid-ready stage through complete plans, construction drawings, technical specifications, and detailed cost estimates.

Technical Specifications

Documents detailing the quality of materials, products, finishes, and workmanship for hardscape and softscape works.

Construction Phase

The phase covering bidding and construction activities, including assistance with bids, site visits, claims, and Certificates of Payment.

Bidding Period

Part of the Construction Phase involving contract-letting documents, bidding, obtaining proposals, and evaluating bidders.

Construction Period

Part of the Construction Phase involving site visits, monitoring progress, deciding claims, and recommending Certificates of Payment.

202 Percentage-Scale Charges

May be used whether Project development cost can be reasonably estimated; the scale varies according to Project complexity.

202 Lump-sum Charges

Compensation based on estimated Project time or a percentage of Project cost and limited to the agreed lump-sum fee unless variation was agreed.

202 Progress Payment Upon Contract Signing

5%–15%.

202 Progress Payment Upon Schematic/Concept Phase

5%–15%.

202 Progress Payment Upon Design Development Phase

25%–35%.

202 Progress Payment Upon Contract Documents Phase

30%–45%.

202 Progress Payment During Construction Supervision

10%–15%.

203 Specialized Landscape Design and Allied Services

Specialized engagements such as golf courses, zoos, rehabilitation plans, agroforestry, farm systems, trail interpretation, site graphics, signage, and park art installations.

203 Specialized Services

Services beyond mainstream Landscape Architecture that interface with allied professions.

203 Percentage-Scale Charges

Compensation based on a percentage scale where Project development cost can be reasonably estimated, such as special studies.

203 Lump-sum Charges

Compensation based on estimated Project time or percentage of Project cost.

203 Time-Scale Charges

Compensation based on actual man-hours or a negotiated upper limit, with a multiplier possible for overhead and reasonable profit.

203 Government Special Studies Limit

Special studies for government Projects shall not exceed 3% of estimated Project development cost, depending on Project complexity.

203 Progress Payment Upon Contract Signing

5%–15%.

203 Progress Payment Upon Schematic/Concept Phase

5%–15%.

203 Progress Payment Upon Design Development Phase

25%–35%.

203 Progress Payment Upon Contract Documents Phase

30%–45%.

203 Progress Payment During Construction Supervision

10%–15%.

204 Landscape Construction Management Services

Management of construction to ensure that landscape design intent is met and construction is delivered within budget and schedule to the extent possible.

Construction Management

Ensures that the Landscape Contractor meets the landscape design intent and that construction is delivered within budget and schedule.

Resident Staff

Qualified full-time onsite staff assigned to supervise, manage, monitor schedules, and coordinate Contractors and trades.

204.3 Construction Management Scope

Includes pre-construction assistance for contract letting, evaluation of bids, and supervision of works-in-progress.

Pre-bid Preliminaries

Preparation of construction documents, contract-letting forms, invitations and instructions to bidders, and bid proposals.

Bid Evaluation

Assisting the Client in obtaining Contractor proposals, preparing an abstract of bids, evaluating tenders, awarding, and preparing contracts.

Construction Management under 204.3.3

Includes deciding claims, interpreting Contract Documents, preparing change orders, obtaining guarantees, determining amounts due, and issuing Certificates for Payment.

Certificate for Payment

Certifies the current quantity and quality of work actually completed against the Contract Documents.

Substantial Completion

The stage determined by the Construction Manager as substantial completion of the Project.

Final Completion

The completion stage determined by the Construction Manager before issuing the Final Certificate for Payment.

204 Lump-sum Charges

Compensation based on estimated Project time or percentage of Project cost.

204 Time-Scale Charges

Compensation based on actual man-hours or negotiated upper limit, with possible multiplier for overhead and reasonable profit.

204 Percentage-Scale Charges

Compensation based on a percentage scale where Project development cost can be reasonably estimated.

204 Progress Payment Upon Contract Signing

10%–15%.

204 Progress Payment Upon 50% of Works

35%–40%.

204 Progress Payment Upon 75% of Works

35%–40%.

204 Progress Payment Upon Project Turn-over

10%–15%.

204.9.1 Resident Staff Reports

Daily records of inspections, deliveries, notices, Contractor requests, work stoppages, test results, and other site activities.

Weekly and Monthly Accomplishment Reports

Summaries containing assessment of accomplished work, Certificates of Payment, adjusted schedules, meeting minutes, and issues requiring action.

204.9.2 Non-Resident Staff Reports

Records of inspections, deliveries, Contractor requests, work stoppages, and test results during site visits.

205 Post-Construction Services

Services for post-construction operations and maintenance or evaluation of facility or Project performance after construction.

205 Grounds Keeping Maintenance Supervision

Ensures that landscape design intent continues into the future through an overall landscape maintenance and grounds keeping regime.

Grounds Keeping

Maintenance activities for landscaped and semi-managed open spaces.