At Paramount our engagements are individually valued and negotiated based upon length of engagement and upon the complexity of the construction issues. The basic structure of our engagement fee is as described below:

• Our initial consultation within the State of Minnesota is free. Consultation time outside of Minnesota is still free; however all associated expenses such as travel, hotel etc, are reimbursable.
• Our standard hourly rate for consulting ranges from $150.00 - $200.00 per hour.
• Our hourly rate for all depositions or trial (arbitration etc.) testimony is a minimum of eight (8) hours at $250.00 per hour. Any testimony prep time (determined in conjunction with legal counsel) is billed at the agreed upon consulting rate.
• All administrative work is billed at $95.00 per hour.
• All computer design work (CAD, graphics, etc.) is billed at $110.00 per hour.
• Reimbursable expenses including airfare, lodging, ground transportation and associated fees such as parking & tolls, shipping, wireless & connect charges, bulk printing, etc are billed at cost.
• Any use of sub-consultants is billed at their cost plus 15% markup.

Most, if not all, engagements will require a written agreement between the parties. A copy of the engagement agreement will be presented to the potential client at the initial consultation.

Billing are prepared and submitted twice monthly with payment due in full within ten (10) working days of receipt of invoice. Failure to pay in a timely manner will result in a 1-1/2% per month interest charge until payment is received.

Some larger engagements may require a monthly retainer to cover on-going costs and services. The monthly retainer includes both fees and estimated expenses. This payment is due on or before the 25th of the month before the planned services. The retainer may be adjusted as activities are accelerated or delayed to keep pace with the engagement. Any unused portion of the current month’s retainer will be credited to the next month retainer. Any unused portion will be returned to the client within ten (10) days of closing out the engagement. .