Project Budget Information

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Professional FEES

• The table below provides details for fees charged for planning, design and construction services.

• These rates and fees are based on average annual volume, to cover the operational costs for planning, design and construction project management services.
• The rates are subject to change on an annual basis based on past volume and future projected volume of construction and renovations on WMU's campus.
• Fees do not necessarily represent the work required to deliver each project.  Example: a small project between $5,000 and $10,000 may take considerably more time to manage than what would be covered by a 7% fee.  Subsequently, on large scale projects, the 4% fee may result in higher fees being assessed to the project.
• The model was developed to create equity and consistency across all projects, in order to make fees on smaller projects more predictable and affordable, while still covering the costs of the operations and staff required to provide the service.
• Note: Small scale projects that only require a single craft or trade (white boards, bulleting boards, picture hanging, etc.) will not be assessed a fee.  Those projects will only be billed the direct labor time required to perform the trade work. 

Contingency

• Contingency is defined as the unallocated part of the budget to cover the cost to correct unforeseen project conditions or to fund voluntary changes initiated by the owner.  The contingency percentage is based on the size and character of the project and is typically between 5 and 15 percent of the budget.

• On capital projects, there are three different types of contingencies:
  • Design:
    • Non-allocated part of the budget necessary to correct unforeseen conditions or issues in regards to design that would otherwise not allow completion of the approved project.
  • Construction:
    • Non-allocated part of the budget necessary to correct unforeseen conditions or issues in regards to construction that would otherwise not allow completion of the approved project.
  • University:
    • Non-allocated part of the budget to be used at the owner’s discretion to make owner initiated changes to the project scope

• Non-capital project contingency is not sub-divided.

Project Managers: The University provides project management and oversight throughout the project. The University's project architects, project engineers and interior designers serve as project managers and technical support staff.

Professional Contractors: A professional service contractor—architect, designer or engineer—may be hired to complete the scope of work for the project.

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