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How to Calculate an Architect’s Fees

How to Calculate an Architect’s Fees
In Resources — By Aamodt / Plumb

How to Calculate an Architect’s Fees

If you’re interested in hiring an architect to create your dream home, you’re probably curious about how to calculate an architect’s fees.

Typically, an architect’s fee is calculated as a percentage of the project’s final cost of construction. Architects’ fees range from 10 to 20 percent for residential projects. However, when you first start the design process, it is difficult, if not impossible to accurately determine the final construction cost. During this initial time period (before a good estimate of the final project cost is possible) the architect may charge an hourly fee. An architect may also ask for an up front retainer to begin work. Keep in mind that the final cost of construction is not the total project cost. Total project cost is the sum of hard costs (construction) and soft costs (fees and testing). For budgeting purposes you should assume that soft costs are an additional 25 percent of the total hard costs.

Want to learn more about how to hire an architect? Check out our guide, How to Hire an Architect!

2 Comments

  1. Ian Rudolph

    Hello

    I don’t entirely agree with your summary of how an architects fee is calculated. If you are in London UK please do make contact.

    Kind regards

    Ian

    1. mm

      Aamodt / Plumb

      Post author

      Hi Ian – This is a general guideline for the US.

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