Architect and structural engineer fees

Akira

Hello all, I just had a quote for an extension and loft conversion, the architect said his work would take 3 weeks to draw, and would cost £3.500, the structural engineer would be £1.200, plus council fees. I live in N. London. Does it seem right? I had an extension years ago(about 12) and remember paying only £300. I realise this work is much bigger- extension bigger, and loft conversion, but I didn't think it'd be this much, and take so long to draw the plan?
Thank you in advance:)

DevilDamo

It depends who you use. An Architect (especially that of a company) would charge quite a lot and £3,500 sounds about right. However, if you used an Architectural Technician (like I am) then for something like that, I'd be looking at charging approx. £900.00 for the full service.

As for the Structural Engineer, it depends how many beams they would need to design as their fees are usually calculated on a time basis.

System

three weeks?!?
I would be asking for a breakdown of that three weeks...

I would also be looking for another couple of quotes for the work from different architects

DevilDamo

Three weeks could be from carrying out the initial site survey to a building regulations package, which I don't think is unreasonable at all. But I would not be giving timescales like that as you'd have to include time for the client to comment/approve the scheme for it to then be submitted to planning, wait the eight weeks before proceeding with the BR package.

System

it could be, but the op has said

Akira wrote: »

the architect said his work would take 3 weeks to draw

three weeks is a serious amount of drawing, as I said, the op should ask for a breakdown of the hours here

Akira

Thank you all for your replies:):)
I have now found another person who will do the same work for less time and less money! He charges a flat fee of £1500, also someone in the same road is doing the same extension and also paid £1500, so that Architect who quoted me was overpriced indeed!
Thanks again:)