Any project that large has significant time involved for getting permission to build. This is often civil engineer led, but the architect will need to produce information for all the town meetings that will inevitably happen. Add in potential conservation, historical, or whatever group or board needs to be appeased, and you've got a lot of overhead with getting permissions. Then, it's simply a huge project for coordination and code.
For us, anything over about 10 units is big. I've done a few bigger ones, but nothing the size of the one you describe. I'd want a very tight scope of work, and then lots of outs where you can ask for add fees in case the project grows.
Run the numbers several ways - as a percentage of the proposed construction cost, as an hourly estimate, and as a cost/profit/overhead projection. If the numbers are similar, then you are probably close on your fees. If there's a wide discrepancy, then you need to increase/decrease your assumptions. The biggest worry is under-pricing the job. If you have enough fee, you can hire people to help, or expert help, but if you don't have enough, you're in a lot of trouble.
Don't forget about all the consultants you'll need. MEP, fire protection, landscape, civil, survey, geotech come to mind. Possibly also a code consultant, estimator, spec consultant. Maybe others, depending on complexity.
If you haven't done a job like this before, consider teaming with another firm who has the expertise. You'd give up fee, but it's a good way to learn about this sort of project. Obviously, you'd need to split up the work and the fee so it's a win-win.
I'd guess the total project is tens of millions in construction cost. Say, $30 mill (just guessing). This could end up millions in fee. Is the client at that point, or are they thinking you'll draw some pretty pictures for a couple thousand? If they aren't on the right page, then walk away.
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David Sisson AIA
Architect
David Sisson
Providence RI
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-23-2018 11:29
From: David Robertson
Subject: Fees
How would you guys price out a 330 unit multifamily job? 3 and 4 story buildings across a 30ish acre site. Straightforward job. Nothing fancy.
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David Robertson AIA
Marietta, GA
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