To discover how much an architect costs, it’s essential to consider several factors. These include:
Experience
Newly qualified architects may be willing to offer their services for less money. The downside is that they are unlikely to have developed a speciality, meaning you will be taking more of a risk by employing them.
Of course, experience doesn’t necessarily mean years of activity. Experience can also be demonstrated through winning awards. Examples of architectural award bodies include:
- Now Planning Institute Australia
- Royal Australian Institute of Architects
View our list of awards here.
Area of expertise
Architects may have varying areas of expertise, including residential design, commercial architecture, industrial design, historic preservation and sustainable design.
Some of these will inevitably be more expensive than others. For example, complex and sustainable commercial architecture will be less pocket-friendly than residential design.
BY Projects Architecture specialises in a variety of architectural designs, spanning residential and commercial renovations to master planning of substantial residential developments.
Budget
Financially planning for an architect doesn’t have to be one-sided. A reputable architect should consider your budget and plan accordingly. In particular, an experienced architect will be able to avoid any disruptions that could bleed your budget.
Breaking Down the Cost of An Architect
There are two considerations when closely analysing an architect’s costs: whether to choose an experienced architect and the proportion of the construction project.
Why choosing an experienced architect is worth the money
One of the problems with architectural projects is that it’s easy for their budgets to overrun. Poor communication, underestimating costs, unrealistic timelines, etc., are issues produced mainly from the architect’s side. Ideally, you need an architect with decades, not years of experience.
The typical costs of a residential architect are proportional
For private residential projects, a typical architect’s fee for full architectural services ranges from 10 to 15 per cent of the construction cost. You may be able to negotiate this down if you use an architect for the initial design stage only. Some practices, such as ours, work on a fixed fee, meaning they are independent of construction costs.
However, hiring an architect only for the initial design stage may result in additional costs down the line. For example, you might need to hire a separate engineer or contractor to oversee the construction process, which could increase your overall expenses. It’s worth careful thinking about how you can make your construction budget stretch the furthest.
Want To Know More About Our Architects Fees? Get In Touch
BY Projects Architecture has a portfolio boasting over 30 years of experience. We’ve produced a variety of projects for satisfied clients, scoring ourselves a stellar reputation on the Australian architectural scene. But seeing is believing, so check out our testimonials. Clients describe our services as ‘efficient in dealing with our builder and surveyor’, and ‘forward-thinking’, with our work ‘doubling [the building] in profit’.
However, our success has never compromised our principles of putting our clients first and working closely to meet our clients’ budgets. The first step is meeting with us – we offer free consultations worth $1,000 –claim yours here.
