ARCHITECTURAL FEES
Understanding architectural fees
Architectural fees are one of the first things most clients compare, and understandably so. Everyone wants confidence they are receiving good value and not paying more than they need to.
Many people assume they are paying for drawings and specifications. While these are the tangible outcome of the work, they are really the product of a much broader process of investigation, design, coordination and decision-making.
The value of working with me isn't simply in producing documentation. It's in making better decisions along the way. Good architectural advice can uncover opportunities, resolve problems before they become expensive, and help ensure your budget is invested where it creates the greatest benefit.
Because of this, architectural fees aren't determined solely by the size or cost of a project.
Most architectural practices face similar operating costs. Professional indemnity insurance, software, continuing education and business overheads are common across the industry, meaning hourly rates are often more consistent than clients expect.
Where fees usually differ is in the scope of service being offered.
Two proposals that appear similar can include very different levels of design development, consultant coordination, documentation, procurement assistance or construction involvement. Those differences aren't always obvious until the project is underway.
Architects and designers also have different strengths. Some practices are highly efficient at delivering straightforward documentation, while others, like HWA, focus on bespoke projects where the greatest value comes from thoughtful design, technical problem-solving and carefully resolved details.
When we first meet, I'll explain the level of service I believe your project needs, what's included, and why I've recommended that approach.
If your budget doesn't support that level of involvement, we can usually tailor the scope to suit. That may mean reducing my involvement at certain stages while still delivering thoughtful architecture and clear documentation.
My aim is to provide a level of service that represents genuine value. That means helping you make informed decisions, invest your budget where it has the greatest impact, and deliver an outcome you'll be proud of for years to come.
My approach to fees
Where I can reasonably control the scope and outcome of the work, I prefer to agree a fee. Where the work depends on external factors or an uncertain scope, I charge for the time involved.
In practice, most architectural proposals use a combination of fixed or agreed stage fees and hourly rates.
Early design and documentation stages can often be priced with reasonable certainty.
Council interaction, additional design changes, specialist coordination, procurement, and construction involvement may be charged on time where the extent of work is less predictable.
My proposal will explain the basis of the fee before work begins.
WHAT ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES COST
Unfortunately, there is no single percentage, scale or formula that works for every project.
As a broad guide, smaller projects are often charged on time because the professional work involved can be significant relative to the construction value.
Elemental services that focus on design and documentation services only for residential projects may typically sit around 2–4% of the construction cost, depending on complexity and scope.
Integrated architectural services, including greater involvement through procurement and construction, may typically sit around 5–6% of construction cost.
Highly tailored or deeply involved services will sit above these ranges.
But percentages only go so far. I understand that, as a potential client, you need some idea of the likely professional cost before deciding whether to start.
The examples below are intended to help establish expectations. They are not quotations but reflect the broad range of architectural fees I would typically expect for projects of varying scale and complexity.
Project Type
Typical
Fee range
Elemental
Engagement
Integrated
Engagement
Bathroom, kitchen or
small alteration
$5,000 - $15,000+GST
$5,000 - $7,000+GST
$12,000 - $15,000+GST
$300k home alteration
$9,000 - $18,000+GST
$9,000 - $12,000+GST
$15,000 - $18,000+GST
Recladding project
$12,000 - $28,000+GST
$12,000 - $15,000+GST
$25,000 - $28,000+GST
$800k new home
$16,000 - $48,000+GST
$16,000 - $20,000+GST
$40,000 - $48,000+GST
$1.5m new home
$30,000 - $90,000+GST
$30,000 - $35,000+GST
$75,000 - $90,000+GST
Bespoke
new home over $2m
Project specific, fees start from $40,000+GST
Commercial
Project specific, fees start from $10,000+GST
Why do architectural fees vary?
The construction cost is only part of the picture. Two homes with the same build budget can require very different levels of architectural work.
Fees relate to the complexity of the site and design, the number of decisions to be resolved, the level of documentation required, consultant coordination, procurement, and how involved you want me to remain during construction.
The fee ranges above reflect different levels of architectural involvement, rather than simply the value of the building.
An Elemental Engagement focuses on the core architectural services needed to design and document the project, while more comprehensive services involve me more deeply in the decisions, coordination, and delivery of the project.
My Curated Architectural Service requires extensive involvement and is scoped individually.
FEES DURING CONSTRUCTION
Construction support doesn't have to be all or nothing. Traditionally, architects have often remained formally engaged throughout construction, administering the building contract, certifying payments, managing variations and acting as an independent contract administrator.
For some projects this provides significant value. For others, particularly where there is an experienced builder, a collaborative client and a straightforward procurement process, a lighter level of architectural involvement can provide much of the same benefit without the administration that accompanies a full contract administration role.
My service levels allow you to choose the level of construction support that best suits your project.
ELEMENTAL AND ELEMENTAL +
Every Elemental and Elemental+ project I take on includes up to three hours of architectural support during construction. This can be used for telephone advice, responding to site queries or attending site when appropriate.
This enables me to stay connected to the project through construction and avoids the common situation where clients hesitate to ask questions because they're concerned about additional fees, or discover their architect is no longer engaged once the drawings have been issued which is very common.
Additional construction support is always available should you require it and is charged at my standard hourly rate.
INTEGRATED
Construction support is provided through a flexible monthly allowance, agreed before construction begins. This recognises that construction demands change throughout the project, allowing me to respond to site queries, review progress, coordinate decisions and provide advice as required. The agreed monthly allowance is invoiced throughout construction until Practical Completion.
CURATED
Curated projects involve a higher level of architectural involvement throughout construction. Rather than working to a fixed monthly allowance, we agree a monthly retainer until Practical Completion that reflects the ongoing architectural involvement required to coordinate design decisions, review workmanship, assist with procurement, resolve site queries and maintain the design intent throughout construction.
Any assistance required after Practical Completion, for example arranging Code Compliance Certificates and the Defects Liability period is charged at my standard hourly rate.
Construction support provides architectural advice, answers questions related to documentation and I can help with design or documentation matters as construction progresses. Responsibility for construction compliance, sequencing, timing, materials and workmanship will always remain with the main contractor.
01
first step engagement
It all starts with a first step.
Before committing to significant architectural fees, it helps to understand what you're actually committing to.
A First Step Engagement is a $450 + GST, low commitment way to start. We'll talk through your project, what you're trying to achieve, and the likely pathway so you can make a more informed decision about what happens next.
OTHER PROJECT COSTS
Architectural fees are only one part of the professional and approval costs involved in a building project.
Depending on the project, you may also need a surveyor, structural or civil engineer, geotechnical advice, planning input, energy or building performance advice, specialist consultants, and council application fees.
I identify the likely consultants and approvals as the project develops so you can understand what may be required and why.
Comparing architecture fees
Price alone rarely tells you whether two architectural proposals are comparable.
Look carefully at the stages included, the level of design development, documentation, consultant coordination, consent management, procurement, and involvement during construction.
A lower fee may be entirely appropriate for a limited scope. A higher fee may reflect significantly more involvement. The important question is whether you understand what you're paying for and where the architect or designer's involvement ends.
If you're comparing proposals, ask each to explain what is included, what is excluded, and how additional work will be charged.
Ready to talk about your project?
You don't need to have everything worked out. Tell me what you're considering and we can start from there.
Enquiries are typically responded to within 1 business day during normal business hours.
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