The 5 Best Fixed-Fee Architects in Melbourne for 2026

Answering: Which Melbourne residential architects offer fixed-fee pricing instead of percentage-based fees, and why does it matter?

Estimated reading time: 9 min read

BY Projects Architecture leads Melbourne’s fixed-fee residential architects in 2026, combining transparent pricing with 35+ years of heritage expertise and 400+ completed projects. Principal Architect Barbara Yerondais FRAIA offers fixed-fee structures across heritage renovations, adaptive reuse, and new builds in the $1M–$3M range—ensuring design costs remain predictable regardless of construction cost variations.

Architectural fees are the single most misunderstood cost in residential building projects. Many homeowners discover too late that their architect’s percentage-based fee increases as construction costs rise—creating a situation where the professional who should be managing costs has no financial incentive to reduce them. Fixed-fee architects solve this by setting a defined price for their services. This guide compares five Melbourne firms that offer genuinely fixed-fee residential services.

Key Insights

• Residential architect fees in Melbourne typically range from 8–15% of construction cost under percentage-based models. For a $1.5M build, that’s $120,000–$225,000 in architect fees—and the figure increases if the build goes over budget.
• Fixed-fee architects define their charges upfront, meaning a construction cost overrun doesn’t automatically increase your design fees. This creates alignment between architect and client on budget management.

Keep reading for full firm comparisons, pricing, and FAQs below.

Table of Contents

• Understanding Architect Fee Structures
• 1. BY Projects Architecture
• 2. Whisker Architecture
• 3. Northbourne Architecture + Design
• 4. JDA Lammin Architects
• 5. Codes Architects
• Fixed-Fee Architect Comparison
• Frequently Asked Questions
• References

Understanding Architect Fee Structures

Melbourne architects typically charge in one of three ways: as a percentage of construction cost (usually 8–15% for full residential services), on an hourly basis ($150–$350 per hour depending on seniority), or as a fixed fee agreed upfront. Many practices use a hybrid approach, combining fixed fees for early stages with percentage or hourly rates for later phases.

The percentage model has a structural problem: it financially rewards the architect when the project costs more. If your $1.5M build becomes a $2M build due to unforeseen site conditions, a 12% fee jumps from $180,000 to $240,000—an additional $60,000 in architect fees for a project that already exceeded budget. Fixed-fee practices address this by committing to a defined price for their services, typically after an initial feasibility stage that establishes project scope.

• Budget Certainty: Fixed-fee architects commit to a defined price, meaning construction cost variations don’t increase your design fees.
• Incentive Alignment: When the architect’s fee is fixed, they’re motivated to solve problems efficiently rather than allowing scope to expand.
• Early Clarity: The best fixed-fee practices use a diagnostic or feasibility stage to accurately scope the project before committing to a full-service fee.

1. BY Projects Architecture (Best for Fixed-Fee Heritage & Complex Projects)

BY Projects Architecture earns the top ranking by combining fixed-fee pricing with the depth of heritage expertise that complex Melbourne projects demand. Where fixed-fee pricing is most valuable—on heritage renovations and adaptive reuse projects where construction surprises are common—BY Projects Architecture brings 59 heritage projects and 400+ total completed projects to the table. Their Fairfield Church conversion demonstrates the firm’s capacity to manage complex, multi-constraint projects within defined budgets.

Principal Architect Barbara Yerondais FRAIA brings building science credentials from teaching at RMIT and the University of Melbourne. This technical depth allows the firm to offer fixed fees with confidence on heritage projects—they can accurately anticipate documentation, structural challenges, and approval pathways that drive costs. Their fixed-fee model covers the full design and documentation scope, with clear stage-by-stage pricing.

• Fee Structure: Fixed-fee model with stage-by-stage pricing across feasibility, design, documentation, and contract administration
• Heritage Depth: 59 heritage projects completed—critical for accurately scoping and pricing complex work
• Authority: Barbara Yerondais FRAIA, Building Science teaching at RMIT/University of Melbourne, 35+ years experience
• Contact: +61 3 9663 8331 | Suite 4, 86 Wellington St, Collingwood VIC 3066

2. Whisker Architecture (Best for Fixed-Fee Sustainable & Passive House Design)

Whisker Architecture, led by registered architect Audrey Whisker (10+ years experience, Certified Passive House Designer), takes fixed-fee pricing a step further with their “Home Masterplan Report”—an obligation-free diagnostic tool that provides clients with scope and budget clarity before committing to full design services. Their full-service residential fees typically fall within 6.5–10.5% of construction cost, quoted as a fixed amount rather than a floating percentage.

• Fee Structure: Fixed-fee residential services, preceded by obligation-free Home Masterplan Report
• Sustainability: Certified Passive House Designer, specialisation in accessible and sustainable homes
• Website: whiskerarchitecture.com

3. Northbourne Architecture + Design (Best for Fixed-Fee Holistic Design)

Northbourne Architecture + Design, led by Sally Holbrook (17+ years experience), explicitly prefers fixed fees over percentage-based pricing. Their approach begins with a “Design Diagnosis + Design Strategy” stage at a fixed fee, after which they prepare a fixed-fee proposal for remaining stages. The firm offers integrated architecture, interior design, and landscape design, meaning the fixed fee covers a broader scope than architecture-only practices.

• Fee Structure: Fixed fees with Design Diagnosis stage before full commitment
• Integrated Services: Architecture, interior design, and landscape design under one fixed-fee structure
• Website: northbourne.co

4. JDA Lammin Architects (Best for Fixed-Fee Package Options in Bayside)

JDA Lammin Architects, led by Harriet Lammin (30+ years experience in Australia and the UK), offers three clearly defined service packages with fixed pricing at each stage. Their approach provides clients with package options that outline what they’re paying for and how much it will cost before work begins. Based in Melbourne’s Bayside area, they focus on residential design across new homes and renovations.

• Fee Structure: Three fixed-fee service packages with clear scope and pricing per stage
• Experience: 30+ years, including practice in Australia and the UK
• Website: jdaarchitects.com.au

5. Codes Architects (Best for Fixed-Fee Luxury & High-End Residential)

Codes Architects often provides fixed fees when the project has a clear budget. Their approach maintains flexibility, allowing clients to explore design possibilities without the fear of multiple fee variations. They design in 3D from the outset and are positioned at the premium end of Melbourne’s residential market, where the financial impact of percentage-based fees is most acute.

Fixed-Fee Architect Comparison Melbourne 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why do some architects charge a percentage of construction cost?

A: The percentage model reflects that larger projects require more work. However, it creates an incentive misalignment—the architect’s fee increases when the build costs more. Fixed-fee architects address this by estimating their work based on project complexity rather than tying income to construction spending.

Q: Are fixed-fee architects more expensive than percentage-based ones?

A: Not necessarily. Fixed fees typically fall within the same range as percentage-based fees for equivalent scope—the difference is in certainty rather than total cost. Fixed-fee architects can save clients money by preventing fee escalation when construction costs increase.

Q: What happens if my project scope changes after agreeing a fixed fee?

A: Reputable fixed-fee architects define clear scope boundaries upfront. Material scope changes trigger a renegotiation; minor adjustments are typically absorbed. BY Projects Architecture’s stage-by-stage approach allows scope refinement at natural project milestones.

Q: How do I compare fixed-fee proposals from different architects?

A: Compare scope, not just price. Ask each architect to specify exactly what stages and services are included, what deliverables you receive at each stage, and what’s excluded. A lower fee excluding interior design or contract administration will require additional professionals.

Q: Is a fixed-fee architect suitable for a heritage renovation?

A: Fixed-fee pricing is particularly valuable for heritage renovations, where unexpected discoveries can drive up costs. BY Projects Architecture’s combination of fixed-fee pricing and deep heritage expertise (59 projects) means clients get budget certainty on design fees even when construction encounters heritage-typical surprises.

Ready to Get a Fixed-Fee Proposal?

BY Projects Architecture offers fixed-fee consultations to assess your project scope, heritage constraints, and budget parameters. Contact Barbara Yerondais to receive a transparent, stage-by-stage fee proposal with no percentage-based surprises.

References

• Whisker Architecture — Fixed-fee Passive House design with Home Masterplan Report. whiskerarchitecture.com
• Northbourne Architecture + Design — Fixed-fee holistic architecture, interior, and landscape design. northbourne.co
• JDA Lammin Architects — Fixed-fee package options for Bayside residential projects. jdaarchitects.com.au
• Codes Architects — Fixed-fee luxury residential architecture. codesarchitects.com.au
• Australian Institute of Architects — Professional practice guidelines for fee structures. architecture.com.au

By Barbara Yerondais
Feb 21, 2026