An editable architect scope of work covering work stages and approvals, deliverables, exclusions and acceptance, with a filled-in example. No email required.
A scope of work turns an agreed proposal into something both sides can check delivery against. For architects, the sections that prevent most disputes are the deliverables, the exclusions and what the client must provide.
Section
What to write
Objectives
Why the project exists and what success looks like
Scope and deliverables
Specific outputs, such as feasibility options and agreed brief
Out of scope
What isn’t included, such as structural engineering and other consultants’ fees
Assumptions and client responsibilities
Measured survey and site information; Budget and brief sign-off at each stage; Appointment of other consultants as needed
Milestones
Brief and feasibility, Concept design, Planning, Technical design, Construction
Acceptance and changes
How deliverables are approved and how changes are priced
Governing agreement: [Master service agreement dated … / terms attached]
1. Background and objectives
[Why the project exists and what success looks like.]
2. Scope of work
Brief and feasibility: [activities]
Concept design: [activities]
Planning: [activities]
Technical design: [activities]
Construction: [activities]
3. Deliverables
#
Deliverable
Description / format
Due
1
[Feasibility options and agreed brief]
[Detail]
[Date]
2
[Concept and developed design drawings]
[Detail]
[Date]
3
[Planning application package]
[Detail]
[Date]
4
[Technical drawings and specification]
[Detail]
[Date]
4. Out of scope
[Structural engineering and other consultants’ fees]
[Statutory application fees]
[Contract administration on site unless listed]
[Party wall matters]
5. Assumptions and client responsibilities
[Measured survey and site information]
[Budget and brief sign-off at each stage]
[Appointment of other consultants as needed]
If these are late, dependent dates move by the same amount of time.
6. Milestones
Milestone
Target date
Depends on
Brief and feasibility
[Date]
[Approval or input]
Concept design
[Date]
[Approval or input]
Planning
[Date]
[Approval or input]
Technical design
[Date]
[Approval or input]
Construction
[Date]
[Approval or input]
7. Acceptance
The client’s named approver reviews each deliverable within [5] working days. Deliverables are accepted on written approval, or when the review period passes without material issues being raised.
8. Changes
Changes to scope, deliverables or timeline are agreed in writing, with the effect on fees and dates, before work begins.
9. Fees and payment
Fee: [Amount and basis]
Schedule: [Payment by milestone]
Expenses: [At cost with approval / included]
10. Sign-off
Client: [Name, title, signature, date]
Provider: [Name, title, signature, date]
How to fill it in
Reference the agreement the SOW sits under, so legal terms aren’t repeated.
State the objectives in a sentence or two.
List deliverables specifically enough that two people would agree whether they were delivered.
Write the exclusions and the client’s responsibilities, and link dates to them.
Set milestones, the acceptance process and how changes are handled.
Add fees by milestone and get it signed before work starts.
Use it in Word, Google Docs or PDF
Microsoft Word
Download the Word (.docx) file and open it. If Word opens it in Protected View, select Enable Editing.
Use Find (Ctrl+F or Cmd+F) and search for “[” to jump between the placeholders you need to replace.
Save a clean copy as a Word template (File → Save As → Word Template) so every new document starts from it.
Google Docs
Upload the .docx file to Google Drive.
Right-click it and choose Open with → Google Docs, then File → Save as Google Docs to keep an editable copy.
Use File → Make a copy for each new client so your master stays clean.
PDF
Use Print or save as PDF in the template section above to print just the template, or fill it in Word or Google Docs first and export it (File → Save As → PDF in Word, File → Download → PDF document in Google Docs).
Example: Fold Architects scope of work for The Mercer Family
Key sections for a two-storey rear extension. Both companies are fictional.
Deliverables
#
Deliverable
Phase
1
Feasibility options and agreed brief
Brief and feasibility
2
Concept and developed design drawings
Concept design
3
Planning application package
Planning
4
Technical drawings and specification
Technical design
Out of scope
Structural engineering and other consultants’ fees
Statutory application fees
Contract administration on site unless listed
Party wall matters
Client responsibilities
Measured survey and site information
Budget and brief sign-off at each stage
Appointment of other consultants as needed
Fees
Total: $13,958.00 excluding tax
Schedule: Invoiced at the end of each phase: Brief and feasibility, Concept design, Planning, Technical design, Construction
Stages and approvals
Work proceeds stage by stage. The client signs off each stage before the next begins; changes to signed-off design are charged as additional services.
Send it for signature in Angelwood
Angelwood’s proposal software builds proposals and agreements from your own templates, shows when the client has opened them and collects e-signatures, with a countersignature to execute the agreement.
The services in each work stage, deliverables, the number of design options and revisions, meetings and site visits included, other consultants required and what counts as an additional service.
What’s the difference between a scope of work and a statement of work?+
People use them interchangeably. Strictly, a scope of work describes the work and deliverables, while a statement of work is the wider project document that also covers timeline, fees, acceptance and sign-off.
Who writes the scope of work?+
Usually the provider drafts it, because they know what the work involves, and the client reviews and signs it. Writing it together after discovery produces the fewest surprises.
Can I edit this template in Word or Google Docs?+
Yes. Download the Word (.docx) file and open it in Microsoft Word, or upload it to Google Drive and choose Open with → Google Docs. There’s also a Markdown version for any text editor. No account or email address is needed.
How do I save it as a PDF?+
Fill it in, then export it: File → Save As → PDF in Word, or File → Download → PDF document in Google Docs. On this page you can also print just the template or save it as a PDF from your browser’s print dialog.