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.
£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
- Invite up to three for a no-obligation consultation
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