In which phase is the largest percentage fee typically charged according to industry standards?

The largest percentage fee is typically charged during the Construction Documents phase according to industry standards. This is because the Construction Documents stage involves creating detailed drawings and specifications that will guide the actual construction of the project. This phase requires a significant investment of time and resources from the architect, as it involves thorough coordination of engineering disciplines, refining design details, and ensuring compliance with building codes and regulations.

During this phase, the accuracy and clarity of the documents are critical, as they will serve as the primary instructions for contractors and are essential for obtaining building permits. Given the complexity and the amount of work required to produce these documents, it is standard for firms to charge a higher fee percentage during this phase compared to the earlier stages like Schematic Design and Design Development, where the focus is more on conceptualizing and refining ideas rather than producing construction-ready documents. The Bid and Negotiation phase, while important, involves less intensive design work as it centers more on the procurement of contractors and does not typically justify as high a fee as the Construction Documents phase.