How Much Does an Architect Cost?
Whether you’re considering extending your existing home or are embarking on a larger self-build, one of the first considerations is often seeking the expertise of an architect. Architects bring invaluable knowledge to a project, whether that be through exploring the potential uses of a space, putting forward conceptual designs, or tackling the headaches that come with gaining planning permission.
But before searching for an “architect near me” on Google, let’s get familiar with the typical services an architect may offer and the fees associated with these. Fees can, of course, vary by both location and architect. That said, this will provide you with a sense of what to expect whether you’re in the city of St Albans, market town of Berkhamsted, or elsewhere in the UK.
Do You Need to Hire an Architect?
Before we explore the fees an architect will charge, you’ll want to consider whether you need an architect at all. Put simply, an architect is usually beneficial on the following types of projects:
Extensions: From simple side return extensions to more involved double-storey extensions, an architect will provide value on most residential extensions. As well as helping to create a space that meets your changing needs, they’ll ensure your extension is structurally sound.
Conversions: Whether you’re converting an attic space into an additional bedroom or are planning to utilise a garage as an annex, you’ll likely benefit from having an architect by your side. With familiarity of the regulatory requirements as well as ability to envision the potential for an untapped space, they’ll help you avoid a number of headaches.
Self-build: An architect is crucial when building a property ‘from the ground up’. As well as providing the knowledge required to plan and build your home, they’ll likely have a network of other experts you’ll need throughout your project. Together with your architect, these specialists will avoid troubling (and often costly) hurdles along the way.
Change of Use: If you’re planning to transform an old stable into a holiday home or build a home on unused commercial land, you’ll need to change the planning use class. As well as exploring the potential uses of your land or property, an architect will be able to complete the necessary ‘paperwork’ to obtain permission to change its primary use.
Conservation Areas: With around 10,000 conservation areas in England alone, you may find that your home sits within one. This places more stringent requirements on your project, whether you’re simply extending a home or planning to start from scratch. An architect with knowledge in conservation areas will be essential if this is the case.
Listed Buildings: Whilst conservation areas can cover entire areas, some individual properties are ‘listed’. Despite what many believe, this doesn’t prevent you from making changes to a property but simply requires special consent to be obtained. Again, an architect that’s experienced in working on listed buildings will be crucial if your property is deemed to be of “special architectural or historic interest”.
What Does an Architect Do?
The services provided by an architect can be broad. But you’ll typically find that an architectural practice, such as Pinchin Architects, is able to offer a wider breadth of services than an individual architect. This is as you’ll be able to tap into a team of specialists ranging from those knowledgeable in sustainable materials to those that are experts in how a property aligns with the surrounding landscape.
That said, most architectural practices will provide five core services to their clients. These cover each aspect of a build, albeit some won’t be necessary on smaller projects. These include:
Feasibility Assessments: At the onset of a project, an architect will spend time with you to understand the parameters of a project as well as what you hope to gain from your new space. Following a thorough analysis of the existing site, planning restrictions, and more, they’ll provide you with a range of limitations, considerations, and ideas.
Concept Designs: It’s at this stage an architect will ‘put pen to paper’ by pulling numerous ideas together into a workable design. Through plans, elevations, and 3D models you’ll be able to get a sense of how your project will look and feel on completion.
Developed Design: Once the concept design has been agreed, an architect will refine this into a developed design that considers the finer details of the project. It is this design that will be put forward to local authorities, so it’s crucial that it contains the necessary information to maximise your project’s chance of approval.
Technical Design: Once the local authority has approved the developed designs, an architect will produce the technical designs. These are the most detailed drawings that provide contractors with the crucial detail needed to build out your project. As well as the structural aspects of your project, this stage will consider the interior elements such as room layout, floor finishes etc.
Construction: Whilst you may believe an architect’s job is finished once the designs are finalised, an architect will usually be at hand throughout the construction process too. As well as bringing together a team of skilled contractors, they may oversee the necessary contracts. Some architects will also manage the project to completion, taking responsibility for the costs and programme of work.
How Much Does an Architect Cost?
With an understanding of whether you need to hire an architect and exactly what an architect does, you’re probably wondering how much will an architect cost, right? As we wrote earlier in this article, the cost of an architect can vary by both region and practice. Here we’ll try to give you a broad sense of the fees you can expect, although for a more accurate cost be sure to get in touch with a handful of architects in your area.
The best way to view the cost of an architect is as a percentage of the overall project. This is as, in most circumstances, their fee will be relative to the scale of the build. In the UK, you can expect your architectural fees to be between 10 – 15% of the overall cost. So, if you were to spend £50,000 on a typical home extension you can expect to spend between £5,000 - £7,500 on architectural services.
If you were taking on a larger self-build, the fees would of course be higher. For example, if you were to spend £500,000 on a project you could expect architectural fees to be between £50,000 - £75,000. That is, of course, assuming you’d utilise an architect for each of the services touched upon earlier in this article.
Conclusion
Whenever tackling an extension or self-build, costs can quickly stack up. But due to the crucial role architects play in the planning, design, and construction stages, their fees should be considered from the onset. So, be sure to speak to several architects to get a ballpark figure before choosing the right architect for you based on their local knowledge, years of experience, and passion for what you’re aiming to accomplish.
If there are unique challenges with your project, such as it being in a conservation area, then always seek an individual or practice who specialises in that discipline. Whilst their fees are unlikely to differ, they will be able to foresee any other costs that may be incurred along the journey. This could, for example, include the need for certain materials or provide more ‘paperwork’ to the local authorities.
If you’re located in the Home Counties, Pinchin Architects can help you transform your home. With a team of multi-disciplined architects as well as decades of experience, there are few hurdles we haven’t had to overcome. Plus, as a locally based team we bring a wealth of local know-how to obtaining planning permission for the most challenging of builds. Simply get in touch or book an architect home visit today.