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How Much Do Architects Cost 2023

Average Price
£750

What can I expect to pay for an Architect?

Looking to transform your property or development with the help of an architect, but not sure of the cost? Our handy price guide tells you how much your expert will charge based on your design aims, the type and size of the property, and more.

What is an Architect? 

However big or small the project, you’re going to need an architect if you are planning on renovating your home or development. A trusted architect can manage pretty much everything in the lifecycle of your project, starting with surveying the property to designing the renovation plan, getting materials, and supervising the project build.  Find an Architect near me.

An architect is on hand to make sure that the design is realistic based on your budget, requirements, and the space you are working with, as well as ensuring that it meets safety regulations. It's an important job which requires years of training and experience. 

How much does an Architect cost? 

Wondering how much an architect charges for their services? There are three different ways an architect can calculate costs: 

1. Lump-sum fee - A fixed amount which is set when the exact requirements of the architect’s roles are agreed with the client. This is common for smaller projects and private customers, like home extensions.

2. Cost per hour - What you see is what you get. Clients pay per hour. 

3. Percentage fee - The architect will charge a percentage of the total construction costs. This is common for larger projects.  The total cost can vary depending on a number of factors, but as a general rule of thumb, hiring an architect should make up around 5-20% of your overall project cost. Here’s a rough breakdown of average costs for hiring an architect based on local UK professionals:

Average cost (in total) £750
Minimum cost (in total) £500
Maximum cost (in total) £2,000

You should agree to the final price at the start of the project to avoid any unexpected costs. 

What changes the cost of an Architect? 

The cost of an architect can vary depending on a range of factors: 

  • Project complexity

  • House plans

  • Extensions

  • Renovations

  • Project stage

  • Architect’s experience

  • Location

Project complexity 

The price will vary significantly depending on the complexity of your project and how long it will take to complete. A large factor is whether you need to change or add additional floors. For example, look at the differences in price between single and double-storey planning submissions: 

Extension type Average cost (in total)
Single storey £1,000
Double storey £2,000

Another example of a complex project would be working on a listed building, as the project will require consent from a local planning authority. 

Project stage 

No matter the size of your project, your architect can help you every step of the way. It’s ultimately up to you whether you want to hire one for the entirety of your project or just part of it. There are lots of different stages of the process when it comes to architectural design, and each comes with a price. 

  1. Initial design 

  2. Planning submission 

  3. Design development

  4. On-site management 

If you want a full service, expect prices to jump up considerably.  

Architect’s experience 

It goes without saying that an architect with over 20 years of experience in the field is going to charge more than a fresh university graduate! 

Location 

The cost of hiring an architect in London is generally higher or in the South East of England. This is because the price of living tends to be higher in these regions. Here’s a rough estimate of how much more you can expect to pay in different parts of the UK. 

Location Average cost (in total)
London £990
South East £1,200
South West £625
North East £700
North West£650
Yorkshire and the Humber£750
West Midlands£675
East of England £760

How to save money on Architectural Services: 

As architects are highly specialised professionals, their services can be pricey. Read on to find out how to keep costs down: 

  • Cut the number of corners - If you’re on a budget, try to reduce the number of corners for exterior walls, as these are notoriously pricey. 

  • Decide if you need a full service - If you only need someone for initial sketches and planning permissions, you could save yourself a lot of money. 

  • Check your architect’s credentials - If you choose a high-quality architect you’ll get a high-quality result, and this means you’ll avoid hefty repair costs later down the line. The best way to check this is to ask for a reference from past clients.

Transform your home, find an Architect on Bark. 

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