hoi , I am a start up entrepeneur and putting together a small catering business, before I started to install the kitchen , the syndict off the town ,needed a basic simple plan from the layout off the kitchen .the architect was contacted , came over , then sended a young archtect with a trainee , and the spent a few hrs to make this simple plan , then we had a 1/2 hr meeting with the owner , archtect ,syndict , my partner and me.
I known the architect ,made a few phonecalls , but mostly was done by us , so now the bill came , 4000chf , with out much off a detail on the invoice ,
My question : I have not signed ,anything, what can I do about this bill ,which is in my eyes really not justified. any agency or somebody who can help me , I thoughed it was gone be expensive (about2000 chf) but not that crazy.

KInd regards
bellatjan

Did you ask before meeting with the guy how much it will cost? If not, then you're at fault. It's pretty natural that in Switzerland you pay for everything and you can have some nasty surprises if you hadn't asked for the quotation in advance.

4000CHF seems quite reasonable for several hours of architect work.

Of course you asked for a quote from the architect before employing him??

A verbal contract is binding and CHF4000 seems about what you'd expect to pay considering someone here has a CHF200,000 bill for architectural services...

thanks , Yes I know that was my fault , not to ask anything , but the plan was just the measurment of the place and where the used water was going , took them few hrs , but why does he not say how much it will cost anyway , in stead off sending a bill , with out much off a detail

Why not to ask him to specify what that amount consists of? Then you can estimate if it is reasonable or not and discuss it with him.

Do you have legal insurance? I would recommend to get one.

It's high but not crazy. Pay it and learn your business lesson of the day. You probably invited the higher price by being the first person they'd met who didn't ask for a quote.

Architect fees for small work is about 10% of the value of the work. UNLESS you have a contract.

Of course, for larger stuff it is different; a group of villas, or a public building for millions is usually not a percent, but rather a fixed price.

Their fees are a lot. I'm looking at changing my place and needed drawings. I called the local Bauamt and found a really helpful lady that gave me all the drawings of my house