How much does an architect cost?

The architect costs in this article are correct as of 2022

When we think aboutarchitecture, we often think about the most outrageous and extreme examples, such as towering glass skyscrapers or dramatic modern stadiums - but their skills are also needed when it comes to our homes.

You can get a handy look at how much hiring an architect costs in our video, or read on to get a full breakdown of architect prices.

If you've been wondering "How much does it cost to build a house?", or an extension, or any other significant project, then it's a good idea to factor in the cost of an architect, who will typically charge in one of three ways:

• A flat fee for a set of plans or drawings
• A percentage of the overall value of the project, typically around 10%
• A set fee per hour spent on the project

Even the most modest projects can benefit from the skills of an architect or an architectural technician, who can help your dreams of a new build, extension, or renovation project come to life.

Before you get started on your own job, we’ve put together this quick guide to help you understand typical architect fees and the average cost of an architect before youfind the perfect architect for your project.

Architect fees for new house

Architect fees are generally calculated as a percentage of the overall build cost, so you can take the cost of building a house and simply and simply work out the percentage.

Total project value	5% Fee	8% Fee	10% Fee	12% Fee
£20,000	£1,000	£1,600	£2,000	£2,400
£50,000	£2,500	£4,000	£5,000	£6,000
£100,000	£5,000	£8,000	£10,000	£12,000
£250,000	£12,500	£20,000	£25,000	£30,000

However, there are other methods some architects may use to come up with a price.

Some come up with a lump sum fee based on the projected scale of the project, which is more common with simple projects where the scope can be assessed early on, while others will bill according to the number of hours they spend working on your project.

总的来说，由于房屋建设的性质和这些构建的管理方式，所有这三种方法最终通常会得到相似的值。

The usual percentage fee anarchitectwill charge ranges from about 5% to around 12%. The difference depends on the complexity of the project, its similarity to existing projects, and whether economies of scale can be factored in.

Contrary to what you may expect, fees are generally lower for new builds than for extension projects, since extensions are more complex as they must interact with an existing building structure.

Listed buildings or period properties may incur fees towards the higher end of the range - as will any project happening in London, where costs are typically higher.

The cost will also depend on the service you are getting from the architect.

If you are merely having plans drawn up, this may cost less than £1,000 depending on the size of the project, but if they are taking on more of the work, assessing the site, drawing up plans, submitting the application and managing the build, then the costs will increase proportionately.

If you are building a new property on a vacant plot of land and hiring an architect to take your plans from the conception stage through the finished build, and the overall project is slated to cost around £150,000, the costs for the architect charging 8% of the overall cost will come to £12,000.

Architects fees for a house extension

Architect fees for extensions are calculated in the same manner as fees for new builds, though as mentioned above, due to the additional complexity ofextension projects, the overall percentage tends to be higher.

对于一个两层的扩建项目，完工后的成本是5万英镑，建筑师收取10%的费用将是5000英镑。

Other costs to consider

Architect is a protected term that can only be used by accredited practitioners, however, they are not the only professionals that are capable of drawing up plans for new homes or extensions.

If you use an architectural technician or other professional, you may find that the costs are cheaper, though they will not be able to offer the full range of services that an architect might.

Structural engineer costs are usually separate as they fulfil a different role in the build process - seeour article on stuctural engineer coststo find out more.