Architect fees

kkgree1

We are looking to remodel and extend our ground floor as our existing conservatory/flat roof extension is not fit for purpose. We are looking to create a large kitchen/diner across the back of the house.

We've had the following quote from an architect:

Design
Full measured survey of the property and take the scheme to outline design stage for approval. Agree drawings to put forward to planning.
£1500

Planning
Agree outline drawings and produce the required final drawings for the planning application. Includes architect acting as agent with the council.
£300

Building regulations
Produce detailed sconstruction drawings for the building regulations application and approval. Includes architect acting as agent with the council.
£1200

Total £3000

We are not certain yet if his fees are subject to VAT, but we suspect not. He has also said that we will require a structural engineer's input to determine the footings on the existing extension and potentially for the roof design. Application fees are also payable on top of his quote.

Any comments gratefully received.

elverson

Fees not outrageous, but I would get another quote from an architect who can cover the structural queries themselves.

arbrighton

Most architects will refer you to a structural engineer- that is not within their professional field and they will not be indemnified for this. My sister (fully qualified architect) certainly wouldn't calculate footings etc

Fees seem entirely reasonable.

jakemillspaek

Ask for references from previous work.
A professional on board can save a lot of heartache.
Don't forget he has to make a living.
Pay peanuts and you get monkey's.

arbrighton

jakemillspaek wrote: »

Ask for references from previous work.
A professional on board can save a lot of heartache.
Don't forget he has to make a living.
Pay peanuts and you get monkey's.

But equally, remember you employ them. We had a mare with the architect who did site visits for our build (not the director who came out to view the project and did the designs). She was unpleasant and rude to contractors and didn't do what we wanted, pick up on the things we wanted attention to, but was more interested in penny pinching valuation

justjohn

Scotland
We put plans in to go up one level on a single storey building. I cannot remember exact amount. think it was around £750 + council fees.


Council has approved plans. (no building regs plans)


My Tip - Before getting a quote for architect find out how they work out there pricing. Some charge per SQM some charge on value of the extension. You want one that charges for work done not based on SQM or valuation of extension.

stueyhants

Seems about right, I've recently paid the same based in SE

tired_dad

I suppose it should be based on the estimated build cost. If this is a 30k extension vs a 100k extension, I would expect the fees to reflect this.

Agree with others who say its in the ballpark.

I would always try and get a personal recommendation from friends or neighbours. A good architect is one who can see beyond the customers wants and make sensible recommendations that will enhance the feel and value of the property within budget.

System

There's different ways to fee a job like this and I'd say an hourly rate is the most liable to escalate!
A percentage fee and hourly rate work out around the same in most jobs, but small complicated jobs tend to eat time so a percentage can be good.
The other way to do it is to ask for a lump sum for each stage but then you need to be careful on design changes...
(Have never seen or heard of charging based on a square meter rate)
The fee looks ok (funny way to break up the initial stages) -maybe worth another quote to satisfy yourself that the value is there

kkgree1

Thanks everyone for your input - it's good to know it is in the right ball park.

We had another local architect quote but he didn't seem interested in remodelling the current extension. His quote was a lot less to reflect the fact he would only draw plans and we'd do the rest.

We'd much rather get the design right as we're looking to stay in this house long-term!