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In architectural practice, the typical fee structure is often divided into stages correlated with the progress of the project. After the completion of all construction plans and documents, which usually falls under the documentation phase, it is common for architects to receive a significant portion of their total fee at this point.

Receiving approximately 85% of the total fee at this stage reflects the substantial effort and resources dedicated to developing detailed construction drawings, specifications, and other documents that guide the actual building process. This stage is crucial because it not only represents the culmination of design work but also sets the groundwork for subsequent phases, such as bidding and construction administration.

Understanding this fee structure helps emphasize the value architects bring throughout the project, as the earlier phases typically include the initial design and development stages, which account for a smaller percentage of the total fee compared to the intensive documentation work. This aligns with standard practices in architectural project management, where significant payments are released upon achieving critical milestones in project delivery.