Project and budget, scope by phase, the fee and its basis, exclusions (consultants, surveys, permit fees), reimbursables, payment terms, schedule expectations, document ownership and a validity date.
No. The proposal frames the deal; the executed owner-architect agreement (commonly AIA B101) is the contract. Many firms attach the accepted proposal as the scope exhibit.
Percentage of construction cost for full services, fixed fee when scope is tight, hourly with an estimate for studies and unknown-heavy renovations. State it plainly with its payment schedule.
Thirty days as a rule, sixty for slow institutional clients. Expiration protects you from cost escalation.
Yes. This is an educational draft. One legal review of your standard terms pays for itself across every proposal that follows.