architectural design fees....are we being completely ripped off????

Taylor132

Hi

Me and my partner are looking to extend our current home, We have had 2 quotes for the drawings. Both provided massively different prices for the drawings and build costs. They have agreed on the design options though!

Options - To include a new 2 storey extension (8m x 4m wide). This will extend 4m out from our current home and then overlap our current home by 3m

1st quote said we could do this and also include an entire single wrap around for a total build cost of £50k. The drawings cost from first sketch, through planning and building regs would be £1500 + VAT. (this includes all costs)

2nd quote said we couldn’t afford to do the entire 2 storey with full single wrap around as it would cost in the region of £110k.

So he suggested 2 storey extension which would cost £70k (8m x 4m wide). His design fees ONLY are £1950 + VAT. The total costs from first sketch to building regs would be around £3250.

To help put this in to context we live in the North West. Planning doesn’t appear to be an issue as we have a large plot of land and are end of terrace and nicely tucked away from the street.

Any help would be much appreciated.

System

My guess is that the second guy is a registered architect and the first one isnt...
when the first one says "includes all costs" what does that mean?

Taylor132

Option 1 is a shown as a design technician on the website. When I say, includes all costs, this factors in application fee for planning, application fee for buildings regs, structural engineer fees etc.

Option 2 says they aren't an architect either..... but they appear to have a BSc (Hons) and a lot of experience but not formally qualified.

System

the first one is completely unrealistic if it includes all that - in my experience you could be over £1500 in local authority fees and engineers calcs alone, so I would double check that.
The other one seems more realistic, but it comes down to what experience they can prove for a project like yours and whether you think you can work with them - A good designer can add value and pay for their own fee in the long term, a bad one (no matter how cheap) can easily add necessary costs to a project

Furts

I cannot see how the first quote can give a build cost of £50K. This comes down to around £700 per square metre. I would be budgeting at 2-3 times this.

Doozergirl

The second one certainly has a far better idea of what an extension costs. It could even be a bit light if you want a certain quality.

The first one is off his head. Way off!!

stator

In the north west wouldn't it be cheaper to buy next door and knock through?

Rain_Shadow

Another vote for saying the second quote is at least in the realms of reality. The fees don't look unreasonable either. My extension was designed by a qualified architect though.

teneighty

I cannot understand why the designers are providing building quotes, is it a design and build package?

Anyway, cost for a fully qualified and insured architectural designer (not registered Architect) for a 8mx4m two storey extension up to Building regulations stage (excluding all Council and Struct Eng fees) should be in the region of £1500 to £2000.

System

teneighty wrote: »

Anyway, cost for a fully qualified and insured architectural designer (not registered Architect) for a 8mx4m two storey extension up to Building regulations stage (excluding all Council and Struct Eng fees) should be in the region of £1500 to £2000.

what is your definition of "Fully Qualified" here?

Taylor132

Thanks for all your replies. You have, as always provided really useful advice.

Doozergirl - we are looking for a extension finished to the plaster stage with full electrics and plumbing but we will decorate and fit bathrooms and kitchens ourselves.

Stator - if only....my beautiful 3 bed ex council is now in a trendy area......