Ordnung SIA 110 (2003) – Services and Fees for Spatial Planners in Switzerland
The Ordnung SIA 110 is the standard regulation governing services and fees for spatial planners in Switzerland. Issued by the Swiss Society of Engineers and Architects (SIA), the 2003 edition serves as a statutory framework for professional contracts in the fields of municipal general planning (kommunale Gesamtplanung) and special use planning (Sondernutzungsplanung). It sits within the broader Schweizer Norm (SN 508 110) and replaces the previous 1988 version and the 1999 recommendation V110/1.
The document defines the legal relationship between the client and the spatial planner, outlining rights, duties, and liability. The regulatory scope covers the entire planning process, from initial need formulation to realization and follow-up support. It structures spatial planning tasks into six distinct phases: Vorbereitung (Preparation), Strategische Disposition (Strategic Disposition), Konzeption (Concept), Bewilligung (Approval), Realisierung (Realization), and Begleitung (Support). Each phase is further detailed into basic services and specifically agreed-upon services.
Professional roles are categorized as either Gesamtleiter (Lead Planner), who manages the overall spatial organization and coordinates specialists, or Spezialist (Specialist), who handles specific domains such as settlement, landscape, or natural balance. The document provides the authoritative methodology for calculating appropriate remuneration based on time expenditure, qualification levels, or fixed prices.
General Contractual Conditions and Duties
Article 1 establishes the legal hierarchy of the contract, the SIA 110 regulation itself, and Swiss law. It defines the core obligations of the planner and the client to ensure transparent project management.
- Sorgfaltspflicht: The planner must protect the client's interests and follow recognized planning principles (§1.3.1).
- Treuepflicht: Includes confidentiality and a prohibition on accepting personal benefits from third parties (§1.3.2).
- Abmahnungspflicht: Requirement for the planner to warn the client about unsuitable instructions regarding quality, costs, or deadlines (§1.3.5).
- Haftung: Liability for damages resulting from a breach of duty, including inadequate coordination or cost estimation (§1.9).
Standardized Service Phases
The regulation structures planning activities into a chronological lifecycle to facilitate phase-based billing and project control.
- Phase 1 (Vorbereitung): Definition of the task, needs formulation, and process planning.
- Phase 2 (Strategische Disposition): Analysis of current state, definition of goals, and strategic approach.
- Phase 3 (Konzeption): Development of solution options, selection of the preferred solution, and detailed elaboration for settlement or landscape areas.
- Phase 4 (Bewilligung): Managing the implementation decision and legal approval procedures.
- Phase 5 (Realisierung): Execution of the planning measures.
- Phase 6 (Begleitung): Success monitoring and necessary adjustments.
Fee Calculation and Remuneration Methods
Remuneration is primarily determined by time expenditure, though fixed prices may be negotiated. Article 7 introduces objective formulas to estimate the necessary hours for specific project types.
- Qualifikationskategorien: Seven categories (A to G) based on function and experience levels, from Lead Planner to Draftsperson (§6.2).
- Schwierigkeitsfaktor (s): A multiplier ranging from 0.8 to 1.4 to account for the political and organizational complexity of the environment (§7.8).
- Aufgabendichte (d): A factor reflecting the density of tasks to be solved, adjusted for existing data and settlement structure (§7.9).
- Kantonaler Faktor (k): A regional factor (standard value 2000) adjusted by up to 20% based on cantonal legal and administrative complexity (§7.10).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the limitation period for claims under SIA 110?
Claims under the contract generally expire ten years after the damaging act, according to Article 1.11.1.
Who owns the work results and original documents?
The work results remain the property of the spatial planner, who must keep the originals or usable copies for ten years after project completion (§1.3.7).
How are meetings with the client billed?
Meetings with the client are included in the fee calculation up to an amount of 10% of the total fee; time exceeding this threshold must be compensated separately (§7.11.5).
Does the fee include Value Added Tax (VAT)?
No, VAT is not included in the fee or additional cost elements and must be shown and paid separately at the current rate (§1.10).
What happens if a contract is terminated prematurely by the client?
If terminated at an 'unseasonable time' without cause, the planner is entitled to a surcharge of at least 10% of the lost fee part (§1.12.2).
Are travel times considered working hours?
When billing according to time expenditure, travel time is generally compensated as working time unless otherwise agreed (§6.1.7).
What is the minimum area for special use planning (Quartierplanung) fee calculation?
The objective fee estimation methodology applies to areas of at least 3,000 square meters (§7.13.2).
