Architecture firm
Free Architecture Proposal Template
A free architecture proposal template with programming, schematic design, design development, construction documents, and approval-gate milestone payments.
Direct answer
A free architecture proposal template with programming, schematic design, design development, construction documents, and approval-gate milestone payments.
Best for
- Architecture firm creating a client-ready proposal
- Service teams that need architecture scope, pricing, timeline, and terms in one document
- Visitors who want to fill a proposal template before creating an account
Commercial Office Design Proposal
A full architectural services engagement from programming through construction documents for Redstone Development's new regional headquarters.
- Prepared for
- Parker NashDirector of Development, Redstone Development
- Valid until
- Aug 29, 2026
One headquarters design to replace three scattered offices
Redstone Development is consolidating three satellite offices into a single large regional headquarters and needs an architectural partner to translate operational requirements into a design that supports collaboration, accommodates future headcount growth, and meets the project's budget and permitting timeline. Northlight Studio will deliver the full scope of architectural services from programming and site analysis through construction documents, coordinating structural and MEP consultants along the way.
Target 85 percent utilization with room for 20 percent growth
The three existing offices were leased opportunistically, resulting in fragmented teams, duplicated amenities, inconsistent workplace standards, and lease costs that exceed what a purpose-designed consolidated space would require.
Northlight Studio will program the space requirements, analyze the selected site's constraints and opportunities, develop a schematic design through iterative review, refine it into a fully coordinated design development package, and produce permit-ready construction documents.
Success Metrics
- Space utilization efficiency
- Current
- Estimated 55 percent average utilization across three offices
- Target
- 85 percent planned utilization in the consolidated space with room for 20 percent headcount growth
- Construction budget alignment
- Current
- No design baseline exists
- Target
- Construction documents priced within 10 percent of the approved budget at the design development milestone
- Permit readiness
- Current
- No drawings submitted
- Target
- Construction documents accepted for permit review on first submission
You sign off each phase before the next begins
A phased architectural services model that moves from broad planning through progressively detailed design, with client review gates that prevent late-stage surprises.
Client Dependencies
- Finalized site selection and lease terms before the engagement begins
- Department heads available for programming interviews in the first two weeks
- Design review feedback provided within five business days at each phase gate
- Timely decisions on furniture, finishes, and equipment standards during design development
Programming through permit-ready drawings with engineers coordinated
In Scope
- Space programming based on departmental interviews and headcount projections
- Site analysis including code review, zoning, and building condition assessment
- Schematic design with floor plans, massing studies, and preliminary material palette
- Design development with coordinated architectural, structural, and MEP drawings
- Construction documents ready for permit submission and contractor bidding
- Coordination with structural and MEP engineering consultants
Out of Scope
- Interior design services including furniture selection and procurement
- Landscape architecture or site work beyond the building envelope
- Construction administration or site observation during build-out
- Tenant improvement coordination for other building occupants
Success Prerequisites
- Site lease is executed and building access is available for the site analysis
- Headcount projections and departmental adjacency priorities are provided during programming
- An approved construction budget is established before schematic design begins
Permit-ready construction documents by the end of week 20
- ·Programming and site analysis report
- ·Schematic design package
- ·Design development package
- ·Construction documents
A past headquarters won permit approval on first submission
Team Members
Leads design vision, client alignment, and critical path decisions across the project.
Manages day-to-day design production, consultant coordination, and drawing set quality.
Case Studies
Designed a large headquarters consolidating four teams into a single open-plan office with collaboration zones and private focus areas.
Programmed and designed a mid-size office with a hybrid work model requiring flexible desking, bookable meeting rooms, and video-enabled conference spaces.
Differentiators
- Programming is driven by real interviews and data, not standard ratios applied to headcount
- Cost estimation is integrated at every phase gate, not delivered as a surprise after construction documents
- The same principal architect leads the project from programming through construction documents
Fixed price with structural and MEP consultants included
Net 15
Structural and MEP consultant fees are included. Specialty consultants requested by the client are billed at cost with prior approval.
Fees
Departmental interviews, space programming, site analysis, and code and zoning review.
Floor plans, sections, elevations, material palette, and preliminary cost estimate.
Coordinated architectural, structural, and MEP drawings, specifications, and updated cost estimate.
Permit-ready drawing set, full specifications, schedules, and engineering coordination confirmation.
Payment schedule
Department head interviews begin in the first two weeks
- 1Accept the proposal and sign the services agreementRedstone Development
- 2Confirm the site lease and building accessRedstone Development
- 3Schedule programming interviews with department headsNorthlight Studio
Source ledger
What's inside this free architecture proposal template
This architecture proposal template is a complete, editable example for architecture firms scoping a commercial office, retail, or mixed-use project. It covers programming and site analysis, schematic design, design development, and construction document phases with milestone payments at each approval gate.
- Programming and site analysis with code and zoning review
- Schematic design: concept, massing, spatial relationships
- Design development: materials, systems, and engineering coordination
- Construction documents ready for permitting and bidding
- Phase-based milestone payments at approval gates
How to use this architecture proposal template
Preview the full example above, then open it in InkDraft to make it yours. Replace the sample project with your actual site and program, adjust the design phases and consultant scope, and set the milestone payments. When the proposal reads the way you want it, send it for review and signature or export a PDF.
Template questions
What should an architecture proposal include?
A strong architecture proposal covers the programming and site analysis, schematic design, design development, construction documents, and optionally construction administration. Each phase has a clear deliverable and approval gate.
How do architects typically price proposals?
Common models: percentage of construction cost (10 to 15 percent for commercial), fixed fee by phase, or hourly for small projects. This template uses fixed pricing by phase with milestone payments at each approval gate.
What is the difference between schematic design and design development?
Schematic design establishes the overall concept, massing, and spatial relationships. Design development refines those decisions into specific materials, systems, and dimensions that consultants and engineers can coordinate against.
Should an architecture proposal include construction administration?
If you will be involved during construction, include it. CA covers submittals review, site visits, RFIs, and ensuring the built result matches the drawings. Without it, the contractor interprets the drawings alone.