If you are thinking about putting up a new building, consider using some experienced architects to help you draw up plans for the project. Do you want to add an extension or renovate an old building in the UK? You should hire the services of residential architecture specialists such as Humphreys & Sons.
The question is how much does it cost for an architect to draw up plans?
Skilled architects can create the complex technical drawings, perform calculations you need, and prepare accurate timescales. Most architects charge a percentage of the overall cost of the building project. This can range between 5-15% for the plans and full service, respectively.
What to consider before hiring architects
Before you plan ahead, it’s crucial to estimate how much money will be needed for the project. Based on their skills and the nature of your project, there are various levels of architectural specialists and technicians you can hire. You need to ask for the architect’s quotes and make comparisons of their charges before you make your decision.
Professional architects may be different from architectural technicians in terms of their pricing models and levels of experience. If you are thinking about hiring an architect, it’s necessary to work within your budget.
Costs of architects in the UK
So, how much does it cost for an architect to draw up plans? The costs for architects in the UK depend on what kind of services you are getting from them. For example, if you only want them to draw up a plan for the project, the cost of the architectural drawing may be as low as £1,000. On the other hand, the costs may be much higher if you require the architect to draw the plan, oversee its implementation, and manage the project till completion.
Typically, UK architects’ fees are calculated in 3 main ways namely by percentage, lump sum, or an hourly charge basis.
· Cost by percentage
With large-scale or complex construction projects such as the design of homes, the architects will usually charge a percentage of the total cost of the building, which varies between 5–12% according to the nature and size of the project. Assuming it will cost you £150,000 to put up a new building in a vacant plot, the average architect fees will range from about 3,000–£7,500, which translates to 2–5% of the total cost of the building.
For a new home that would cost £300,000 to put up, the architect fees will average around £12,000–£18,000 (that’s 4–6% of the cost of the building). An architect may not charge more than £1,000 if they were going to draw up a plan for a simple single-storey extension.
· Lump-sum fees
For a simple architecture project, the architect may calculate his fees as a lump sum payment. Examples of projects that apply these charges include small extensions and renovation projects. With lump-sum fees, the costs are calculated from the exact work that will be done by the architect, subject to an agreement between the client and the architect. On average, the lump sum costs for architects to make planning applications including the planning fees in the UK are estimated as follows.
Single-storey extension: £750–£1,500
New-build house: £2,000–£3,000
Double-storey extension: £1,000–£2,000
· Hourly rates
Some UK architects choose to charge on an hourly rate basis. However, hourly charges are not common. An architect may charge you extra fees per hour if they do additional work for you. In the United Kingdom, the hourly rate for architects to draw up plans for new buildings typically varies between £50–£100.
Another factor that influences the quotes of architects is their level of seniority in the profession. While an architect who boasts less than 5 years of experience may charge £50/hr, senior architects may charge around £70/hr.
Miscellaneous costs to consider when looking for architects to draw up plans
In planning your budget for the project, you may want to consider other costs such as:
· Planning application
Your local authority may demand that you get planning permission, and this comes at a cost. But if you choose the right architect, they can help you obtain your planning permission with relative ease.
· Structural engineering
You may need to hire the services of a structural engineer when you are undertaking a large residential project. Structural engineers will charge you £50–£90 per hour. Building survey costs can cost you a few hundreds of pounds, or even thousands. Finally, you may also want to budget for inspection and building control costs if you are renovating a property or erecting a new building.
The bottom line is that architect fees vary on a wide scale depending on the skills of the architects, your location in the UK, and the complexity of your project. In places like London where demand for architects is high, the costs may be 10% higher than the national average. Consult Humphreys & Sons for professional residential architecture solutions in the UK.
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