Architect fees

10 years ago

I've recently spoken with an architect regarding an extensive renovation of my home. I'm new to this arena so curious if what they've proposed sounds appropriate. For a renovation in the $300k range:

$4500 conceptual design

$5000 (approx.) sealed blue prints

Is this a fair price? Thanks!

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Comments (5)

sushipup1
10 years ago
Ask about involvement during the actual construction. The architect will get more money for every revised drawing and also may want to be paid for 'supervisory' work onsite. There are a lot more potential fees not included.
User
10 years ago
You will find that architect fees, like construction costs, vary greatly from one region to another. Those fees will also vary with the size of the firm and the scope/complexity of the design work. Without that information its not really possible to answer your question.
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aptosca
10 years ago
What @JDS said: what 300K$ buys is radically different in different parts of the country.

10K/300K is 3%. Not terribly high but it really depends on where that 300K$ is going. The original estimate for my project from a designer was 6K$ and will probably end up at 10K$ ... but I changed the scope a lot.

I didn't need an architect and everyone compliments her results, both the design and plans. She went with me to get the permits, etc.

A good friend who is an architect said he thought I still got a very good deal. Commercial architects (which he was) charge around 15% of the project, but that includes project management, including sending/out processing RFPs and contractor management.
freeoscar
10 years ago
What area of the country are you in? I'm in the NYC suburbs and we did a similar scoped project and the architect fees were quite similar to what you are quoting. We met with 2 others and one was very similarly priced, the other wanted 15% of the project (which seems insane for something like this).
PRO
Charles Ross Homes
10 years ago
Hi,

"Plans" can run the gamut from a basic builder set of plans to highly detailed construction plans and specifications with little contractor "wiggle room," so it's hard to compare design costs.

Assuming that you need to get plans drawn up for a permit application, there is a basic implied cost for design of any project. The question then becomes "how much value does one firm/architect/designer add compared with another?" If you consider the value added by good design amortized over the life expectancy of the structure, 3% of project cost is a very, very modest investment, ditto for 4%, 5%, 6% etc.

Best wishes for a successful project.