Architecture is a broad term that is used to describe many different things. Today we give you a quick guide to help you understand the types of fees and overall costs you can expect for your project.
What is an Architect?
Architects are commonly referred to as the “builders of your dream home.” Designing and building a home is no easy task, but an architect can make the process easier for you.
Designing a home is about a lot more than choosing the right color scheme and layout. It is a process of gathering all the information you need to make a good decision and to then visually present your ideas to the client.
The design process usually begins by gathering information from your family and friends. Most people in the UK are familiar with their area and those features they like the most.
A good architect will get to know your neighborhood and how it will help or hinder your home. The more you learn about your community, the more options you will have for your home.
Types of fees
It can be daunting to think about the total cost for your home. The wide range of services included and the specialized knowledge required can make it difficult to consider the entire scope.
One of the first tasks we recommend in a new home is to have the architect draw up a plan to ensure you get what you want. Take this time to think about how the home will serve the family and how you can make improvements as the years go by.
If you like the current layout and design of the home, it’s essential that you bring it up to date with the coming years. In this guide, we are going to be dealing with the basic areas of the home – so be sure to come back and check out the services offered.
Upfront fees
This is the initial cost to build the project. This is charged at the very beginning of the process and may cover a large portion of the design.
The design and other planning is typically done and once the architect has been paid, the construction phase begins. This may include work on the blueprint, constructing models or renderings and creating a detailed design.
Depending on the scale of the project, the architect can also be billed on this price.
If the owner of the project owns the building themselves then they will typically pay themselves out of the overall cost of the project.
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Hourly rates
Hourly rates can be very variable depending on the specialization and specialty you choose. The amount you can expect to pay for an hourly rate depends on the number of designers working on your project and the type of project. It’s also something you should look at before you start working with an architect.
A semi-fee is a standard fee for architectural services, similar to a semipermanent fee. Semi-Fully Fee can vary between the hourly rates above and can sometimes be greater than an hourly rate. The person working on your project will determine what the exact amount is.
Fee for Task If your architectural firm is consulting on multiple projects simultaneously they will provide a fee for each project.
Project management fees
Project management fees can be a pretty high cost for some projects, as you often need to combine planning, managing, reporting and many other costs. However, it is a very necessary service as they make sure you are meeting your timelines, which is a good thing to have.
Generally, a project management team should be comprised of two to three employees. The team should be responsible for:
- Logical coordination of requirements of contractors and consultants
- Treating financial due diligence and valuations as they come Implementation and optimization of any project changes that occur during the course of the project
- The cost of hiring and managing the project will vary greatly depending on the expertise, experience and on how many employees you need to manage the project.
What to expect
Fees vary widely depending on the type of project you are hiring an architect to design. When looking for an architect, you want to make sure you understand the fee and time estimates you receive.
To get the best deal, make sure you are looking for a fast-paced, cost-efficient, and professional architect. How much does an architect cost? In 2017, the average architecture fee was £6357 per project. This number does not include variable costs and factors in designer time.
Conclusion
By clarifying a few of the components involved in your project the value of an architect, along with the necessary knowledge to deliver a quality design, become evident.
Following this step-by-step guide will give you a good idea of what to expect and it should be sufficient to help you pick your architect.
