2024 Guideline Tariff of Professional Fees for the Quantity Surveying Profession

BACKGROUND AND SCHEDULE OF THE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES

1. BACKGROUND

1. The latest Guideline of Fees from the SACQSP was published in the Government Gazette (No. 52152) on 21 February 2025 and replaces the 2015 Guideline of Fees.
2. The delay in publishing this was primarily due to the SACQSP having to meet the requirements of the Competition Commission South Africa (CCSA), which is mandated to investigate, control and evaluate restrictive business practices in the country.
3. This required the appointment of an actuarial consultant to undertake research on economic and related factors that influence professional fees in the built environment. This included a random survey of quantity surveying practices to gauge income, expenses and profitability within these firms. The data obtained from this survey was used to guide the formulation of the 2024 Guideline.
4. In addition, the impact of Covid-19 during this process also contributed to the delay.
5. Notwithstanding the above, the 2024 Guideline is effective retrospectively from 01 May 2024.

1. SIGNIFICANT CHANGES MADE SINCE THE 2015 FEES GUIDELINE:

1. Clause 2.2.1 – Basic Fee
   Both primary charges and marginal rates are adjusted upward in all the value categories.
   
   
2. Clause 2.3 - Appropriate percentage for building work
   The category for Redecoration Works is omitted.
   Alterations has a 40% surcharge and is deemed to include Redecoration Works.
   In the 2015 Guideline, Alterations and Redecoration Works had a 25% and 60% surcharge respectively.
   
   
3. Clause 2.7 - Apportionment of fees to stages
   The fee percentages for each work stage specific to Bills of Quantities are as follows:

   Fee Scale	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3	Stage 4	Stage 5	Stage 6	TOTAL
   	Inception	Concept & Viability	Design Development	Documentation & Procurement	Construction	Close-Out	All Stages
   2015	2,5%	5%	7,5%	35%	45%	5%	100%
   2024	5%	10%	15%	40%	25%	5%	100%

   Based on the above, the apportionment of fees up to Stage 4 is now 70% compared to 50% in the 2015 Guideline.

4. Clause 4.3 – Re: Excessive Variation
   The method to calculate reimbursement for excessive variation is simplified and any additional fee applicable will be based on hourly rates.
   
   
5. Clauses 7.3.1; 7.3.2 & 7.3.3 – Re: Time Charge
   The hourly rates for different categories of persons are clarified and are more specifically defined.
   
   
6. Clause 10.1 – Alteration Works
   Alterations shall be deemed to include redecoration works.
   
   
7. Clause 10.14.1 & 10.14.3 – Re: Disbursements
   These clauses are amplified to take into account the expenses actually incurred together with related requirements in the current technology environment.
   
   
8. Clause 10.35 – Redecoration Works
   Defines work associated with Redecorations which shall be deemed to be included under Alteration Works in the value for calculating fees.
   

            Note: All other minor and insignificant changes have not been listed in the above summary.

Please direct any questions on the new fees to Training & Technical Support