Architects bill - not itemised?

[movingnow]

Just received a (large) bill from our architect for work on getting our project as far as planning permission, including a re drawing of part of it. Work would have been charged (RIBA rates) as a % of total build cost but we have terminated the project as we have sold the house. Architect has therefore invoiced for "time" but the bill is not itemised i.e x hours @ £x per hour. Is this normal, it doesn't seem right just to have a lump sum?

What agreement did you originally have w your architect? I normally break down RIBA percentage fee into work stages, eg, percentage of total fee for completion of design work stage, 30%. I do sometimes work to hourly rate, but this has been agreed in advance w Client. Then, yes, I would structure invoice as you described... "56 hours at £x/hour".

Did you have a letter of agreement with him/her originally?

Work on feasability stage was hourly, progression to planning and beyond was to be as % of total build

Ok. Well then it sounds as though an hourly rate is fine, but I agree w you that he/she should have at least specified the number of hours worked and the rate. Some clients in the past have asked for time sheets from me, which I thought was slightly wierd (did they not trust me? If I was so keen to rip them off, I could have fabricated those too....), but mostly I broke it down into hours and either weeks or months (week commencing 5th may, 23 hours, or may 2009, 34 hours).

I would ask your architect for clarification, it would be reasonable (imho)...

I used to work as an accountant for a fimr of architects. In my experience most architects don't really like numbers, so yours might just be being lazy.

I'd ask for a breakdown of the hours on each stage, with the hourly cost.

Thanks for the advice orangina & cornflakegirl. I'm pretty sure the bill's accurate, it's just if I'm spending that much money I like to know exactly what I'm paying for.

sorry to hijack but have a similarish problem. We signed a contract with our architect to take it up to and including planning permission stage. When he dropped round the prelimary drawings labeled "for discussion". there were inaccuracies, (he'd missed a small cupboard, which is our loft access and our hot water tank)he had not listened to our verbal brief and we felt the design was totally inspiring so decided to terminate the contract and hired someone else. he was furious and dispite a clause in the contract about pro rataing the fee, he is charging us over 80% of the agreed fee which we feel is outrageous. Any advice re proportion of fee which is reasonable?