How much does a residential architect cost? (2024)

How much does a residential architect cost? (1)

How much does a residential architect cost?

As a basic rule of thumb for private residential projects, a residential architect typically charges between 10-15% of the construction cost for full architectural services. This can be reduced to 3.5% – 5.25% if you use your architect for the initial design stage only*.

*You may opt for the initial design stage only if you use a contractor who is able to take on the detailed design portion of the project. This may not represent a saving as your contractor’s fee will likely reflect this.

We will look at an example of a £100,000 house extension below.

Featured image above by Harry & Jonty, architects in London and Hampshire on Design for Me. See their full profile and shortlist them for your home project here.


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£100k house extension – architect’s Fees

For a £100k house extension, you can expect your architect’s fees to be between £10k – £15k for full services.

Here are the fee stages broken down below:

Outline Design (35% of total fee)

This stage often includes the planning application.

£3,500 – £5,250

Detailed Design for Tender (35% of total fee)

£3,500 – £5,250

Construction Phase (30% of total fee)

£3,000 – £4,500

You may also find the following cost advice articles useful for working out your budget:

Why are architect’s fees not standardised?

Architect’s fees for a home project vary depending on the type and scale of the job. There are no official standards or guidelines for architect’s fees so it’s between the client and the architect to negotiate the fee, often dependent on the following:

  • The extent of the architect’s services
  • Size of project
  • Complexity of project & specific project requirements
  • Extent of works to existing buildings
  • Repair and conservation of historic buildings
  • Degree of design repetition
  • The type of practice, e.g. a small office or freelancer may have fewer overheads
  • The experience and expertise of the architect or firm.The adage ‘you get what you pay for’ often rings true!

Do I need an architect at all?

We’ve written a detailed article on this subject to help you decide:Do I need an architect for an extension?

Or do you need a different design professional all together?

Check out these short guides to help you make your mind up:

Do I need an architect or an interior designer?

Do I need an architect or a structural engineer?

What’s the difference between an architect and an architectural designer or technologist?

Getting quotes from architects

If you’re looking to get quotes for your home extension or renovation project, we specialise in matching homeowners to the right architect for their project. Simply post your project below and we’ll match you up with the best architects for your needs. And it’s completely free!

  • Quickly see which architects are interested in your job
  • Create a shortlist
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How much does a residential architect cost? (2)

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How much does a residential architect cost? (8)

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How much does a residential architect cost? (2024)

FAQs

How much does it cost for an architect to draw up plans? ›

As a basic rule of thumb for private residential projects, a residential architect typically charges between 10-15% of the construction cost for full architectural services. This can be reduced to 3.5% – 5.25% if you use your architect for the initial design stage only*.

How much should I pay an architect to design a house? ›

Architects cost $2,000 to $20,000 to draw basic plans or $15,000 to $80,000+ for full house design and services. Average architect fees are 8% to 15% of construction costs to draw house plans or 10% to 20% for remodels. Architects charge hourly rates of $100 to $250 or $2 to $15 per square foot.

How much does it cost to have house plans drawn up? ›

Rates start at $50 and go as high as $130 per hour for a draftsperson to draw up blueprints or a house plan. Plans for a three-bedroom house require at least 10 hours to complete, and typically cost anywhere from $500 to $2,000.

How do I estimate architect fees? ›

The most common form of unit pricing that architects use is the percentage of construction cost, where the gross design fee is anywhere from 3% to 15% (or more) of the total cost of construction.

How much does it cost to get a quote from an architect? ›

Architect fees typically range between $100 and $250 an hour, though intern architects could charge as little as $50 an hour for consultations. Hourly estimates come into play for quick jobs such as consultations and drawing up plans.

Do I need an architect to draw house plans? ›

Your local building authorities require one.

In most communities, for most remodels, an architect isn't required. But in others—specifically some urban areas—you may need an architect or engineer to sign off on your plans. Check with your local building department to be sure.

What is cheaper than an architect? ›

1 ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGIST

They work alongside architects and therefore have an understanding of space, materials and aesthetics. Add these aspects together and they're well qualified to design individual homes. As they're not full-blown architects, they tend to charge less and offer tremendous value-for-money.

Can you negotiate architect fees? ›

Today, the architect and client must agree upon a wide range of project requirements and negotiate a fair exchange for value based on the unique aspects of each project.

Is a building designer cheaper than an architect? ›

An Architectural fee can run anywhere between 2% and 15% of construction costs depending on who you are engaging and what part of the country you are in. Builders and Designers will cost less or even be free. Just be aware that they usually roll the design fees into your construction cost.

How long do architects drawings take? ›

Even for relatively small projects, this can take the best part of a day. Then it will be a few weeks before you see any drawings. For smaller projects, you are looking at approximately four weeks. For larger ones, it can be considerably more than that.

How long does it take for an architect to design a house? ›

How Long Does It Take an Architect to Draw Plans? Four to six months is the time it takes to go from ideas in notes and pictures to a full set of heavily-detailed technical construction documents that a construction team can use to create your family's dream custom home.

What is the cost of drawing house plans? ›

What is the cost of drafting house plans in India?
Type of WorkCost
Site inspectionRs 200-500
Floor plans and layoutsRs 5000-10000
Elevation designsRs 10000-20000
Interior designsRs 20000-50000
1 more row
Oct 26, 2021

How much do architects charge in the UK? ›

Architect fees in 2024

Architects in the UK typically charge between 3% and 15% of the total construction costs. However, this varies depending on factors including their level of involvement, the complexity of the project and the architect's experience. Some architects may also offer a fixed fee or hourly rate.

What are approximate architect fees? ›

In major cities, well-established architects can charge between Rs. 30 to Rs. 60 per square foot for floor plan drawings only in larger projects. Additionally, they may have separate charges for other related services such as structural and working drawings, plumbing, fire, and drainage system drawings.

Do architects charge for advice? ›

Yes, architects generally charge for an initial consultation. This is because they will need to assess the project requirements before they can commit to a fee structure.

How much does an architect cost for planning and design? ›

Architect Fees and Charges in India for House Designing

The national average fees for house plan drawing, along with structural and operating drawing can cost between Rs. 12000 to 20000 for a single floor building project.

How long do architects take to draw up plans? ›

Even for relatively small projects, this can take the best part of a day. Then it will be a few weeks before you see any drawings. For smaller projects, you are looking at approximately four weeks. For larger ones, it can be considerably more than that.

How much do architects charge per hour UK? ›

The average charge-out rate per hour for an Architect in the UK with over 5-years' experience is just over £80. Average percentage fee for projects within RIBA stages 1-7 (design to delivery) for a new build project with a budget of £1m is 6% of the total construction value, giving a lump sum fee of £60,000.

How much should I charge for as built drawings? ›

The truth is that it varies depending on many factors, and there is no fixed cost for this service. The average price ranges from $0.5 to $3 per square foot, depending on the size, complexity, and technology used during the scanning.

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