How much does an architect cost?

When we have a project that requires the expertise of a professional architect, one big question is, ‘how much does an architect cost?’

There is no simple answer to it, as every design, renovation and addition project is unique, and every professional has a different skill set and level experience to offer.

In this article, we will break down the cost of hiring an architect into various components, and highlight the main factors that decide how much an architect may charge you compared to others.

Quick jump to:

Elements affecting the cost of hiring an architect

Average cost of hiring an architect

Fee structures for architects - hourly, percentage, fixed

Cost of hiring an architect for specialized projects - home, renovation, addition

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A. Elements affecting the cost of hiring an architect

Square foot size of the site

The size of your site may determine the cost of hiring an architect. A bigger site will more likely take more work hours.

Architect’s experience and brand image

An architect known for their skills and with a lot of relevant experience may end up costing more than an architect with not much experience. Architects even charge a premium for the reputation/brand they’ve built over time, but they also offer quality service to keep that brand intact.

Project’s details

If your project is complicated and requires attention to detail, your architect may charge you a high price, as compared to a project that is simple.

Permissions required

Projects that do not require the designers to take local permissions and clearances may cost less, while projects that may require your architect to apply for various city/local permissions may cost you extra.

Responsibilities of the architect

How much you pay an architect depends on the scope of services they are to deliver. If you want to assign a lot of responsibilities to your architect--drawing up a plan, taking permissions, hiring contractors, supervising construction, etc.--then you may have to pay more for their time.

Location of the project

The location of your project is another determining factor for how much your architect may charge you. Locations with high-value properties may command a high design price, as well.

B. Average cost of hiring an architect

On average, how much does it cost to hire an architect?

It can cost you minimum $800 to $1,000 to have a licensed architect review and approve the blueprints and other construction documents of a project. Your average cost for architectural drawings will cost slightly more, if there are no other services required.

Administration, including ensuring that the contractor or engineer adheres to the plan as much as possible, costs 5% of the project’s budget.

Overall, an architect may charge 8-15% of the total budget, which is $800-$1500 for every $10,000 spent on the project.

Related Article: How to Hire an Architect?

C. Fee structures for architects

By the hour:

Architects may charge anything between $80 to $150 per hour. This kind of arrangement usually occurs when you’re hiring an architect to audit and approve a plan or create a plan. For a project where you need your architect to take up more responsibilities, a percentage of the total cost of the project is usually what they charge.

Some clients go with the hourly payment method, but add a cap to the number of hours spent. To ensure that the architect doesn’t end up putting in a lot of work, the number of revisions to the design are also sometimes capped.

By the square foot:

If you want your architect cost to be fixed, you can opt for paying the architect fees per square foot. Some architects charge about $2 to $5 per square feet, and the cost may go upto $10 per square feet, depending upon the intricacy or scope of the work. 

By a percentage of the total cost of the project

Many architects work for an architectural fee per square foot, however there is a principal-agent issue in this method of payment. The architect (agent) is in a position to drive up the cost of the project to increase their income, while your (principal) cost rises. One way to address this is that the client can communicate their budget in advance, so that there is no overspend.

D. Cost of hiring an architect for specialized projects

How much does it cost to hire an architect for a project of a special nature? Architects may charge different fee structures when it comes to handling different types of projects.

How much does an architect cost to draw plans

A draftsperson can draw a plan for your space. Draftspersons often work with licensed architects to get approval on these drawings. At times, architects themselves draw plans to build.

How much should architectural plans cost? A draftsperson may charge you hourly or a lump sum amount, but then you’ll have to pay separately to the architect for clearances and approvals. 

The cost to have an architect draw plans may be a bit higher, but it saves time. An architect’s charge for house plans and other buildings are often hourly.

Architectural plans can cost you anything starting $800. How much you pay for architect plans also depends on various factors like location, type of project, budget, etc.

How much does an architect cost for a remodel

Architect cost for remodeling depends on the scope of remodelling required, the size of the property to work on, and so on. The cost to hire an architect for remodelling will be defined by the size of the space, how complicated the remodelling task is, and the brief and budget of the client.

Architect fees for remodelling of a house is often a percentage of the cost of the project. If they are just designing the space and not administering the project, then the remodeling architect’s cost might be hourly. 

Whether it’s a home remodel project or a commercial project, the structure of payment will remain the same.

Cost of architect for renovation

How much do architects charge for renovation plans? This depends on your existing building structure and how much work is required in the renovation project.

Most renovation architects will charge a percentage of the cost incurred on the project, if they are also administering the contractors, sub-contractors and vendors.

Cost to have architect design home

As the cost of an architect designed house is high, it’s worth spending the money to create that value for your property. A residential architect’s cost is usually a percentage of the cost you spend on the construction of the project.

How much to have an architect design a house? If your architect is just designing the house, then they may charge hourly or a lump sum fee, depending on the size of the property, location, etc.

If the architect is helping you throughout the construction to ensure that the construction goes as per the plans, then they may charge you a percentage of the total cost.

Cost of architect for home addition

Architect fees for house additions is also similar to that of remodeling a house. As they are adding a new space to an existing structure, therefore they will have to study the existing structure or blueprint and ensure that the additions fit in seamlessly.

Mostly, cost for architectural drawings for addition is based on the architect’s hourly fee for home addition.

A home addition architect’s cost to design and supervise the construction will mostly be a percentage of the project’s cost.

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