Architects fees

j_yorks

Hi,
Please can someone advise what the typical fee would be for an architect. We are proposing a garage conversion plus knocking through a load bearing wall to create an open plan kitchen dining room, with some redesign/rearranging of kitchen.

We've had a quote of £1500 plus VAT, does this sound reasonable?

Thanks

System

what does the fee include for?
Does it include, design, planning and building regs drawings? construction details?
Is it based on a number of hours or just stated as a lump sum?

j_yorks

It's a fixed fee / lump sum and includes everything including if any changes are made etc.

snowcat75

The best way of knowing is to get a few quotes, people always do with builders, but for some reason with professional services which is always the most expensive hourly rate, they do not.

There are good and bad Architects and IMHO more bad than good, decent local builders will often know the ones that produce drawings that are really workable, when the job commences, I'm a fabricator that sometimes has to produce structural steel work to sets of drawings that contain incorrect measurements and poor detailing, and if Architects and structural engineers haven't coordinated properly with a builder that hasn't scrutinised detail at the start then a job can end up with the client having to sort mistakes at there expense.

j_yorks

Thanks, that's helpful. He was recommended by our builder (who in turn came highly recommended).

ellie27

Our architects fees knocking down couple walls and repositioning stairs was £2800 + VAT. This includes drawings and design, does not include actual fees for planning permission./building warrant as they are paid direct to council. Plus structural engineers fees of around £500 ontop too, paid to them.

martinsurrey

ellie27 wrote: »

Our architects fees knocking down couple walls and repositioning stairs was £2800 + VAT. This includes drawings and design, does not include actual fees for planning permission./building warrant as they are paid direct to council. Plus structural engineers fees of around £500 ontop too, paid to them.

I've just had plans drawn up for the removal of 2 walls, including plans for the building regs applications (but not the application itself) and structural calcs for the beams for £220+vat

OP it really pays to shop around.

ellie27

martinsurrey wrote: »

I've just had plans drawn up for the removal of 2 walls, including plans for the building regs applications (but not the application itself) and structural calcs for the beams for £220+vat

OP it really pays to shop around.

I have contacted an architectural planner who can do the plans for £750 then structural engineer is separate £400ish. I thought that was good. How did you manage that? I thought structural engineers were separate and they wouldnt do your plans?

LandyAndy

martinsurrey wrote: »

I've just had plans drawn up for the removal of 2 walls, including plans for the building regs applications (but not the application itself) and structural calcs for the beams for £220+vat

OP it really pays to shop around.

While I don't doubt the accuracy of your figures, I do wonder if they represent a realistic hourly rate for professional people doing a quality job.

martinsurrey

LandyAndy wrote: »

While I don't doubt the accuracy of your figures, I do wonder if they represent a realistic hourly rate for professional people doing a quality job.

Its about the scope of the work, you don't pay a Michelin star chef to microwave a ready meal.

Knocking down a few internal walls in a block and brick house is bread and butter work for a structural engineer, and I know a few that can draw very competent BR plans.

I exposed the floors and tops of the walls that were being removed so they could see the details of where the beams would be going and how the joists ran on their first and only site visit, no guess work, total onsite time was 30mins its not more than a few hours work as long as you are prepared.

System

martinsurrey wrote: »

I've just had plans drawn up for the removal of 2 walls, including plans for the building regs applications (but not the application itself) and structural calcs for the beams for £220+vat

OP it really pays to shop around.

I kind of remember ellie27's earlier threads around it, and it was much more involved than just removing a couple of walls, it's also for a project in scotland, the building regs side of thing is much more involved before you can start on site - Although I could be completely wrong about that, memory is fuzzy!

OP, the quote you have seems high but not out of the realms of reality (assuming it's a registered architect, properly insured etc)
Get some more quotes for the work from people working in your local area and see who you like the best and who has the keenest price