Home design is an important part of any home renovation project. While it is possible to do the design work yourself, many people choose to hire an architect to help them create a plan that meets their specific needs and desires. If you are considering hiring an architect, there are a few things you should know about the cost and how to go about finding the right one for your project.
There are a few different ways to go about finding an architect for your home renovation project. You can ask friends or family members for recommendations, search online directories, or contact a professional organization in Australia such as the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA). Once you have a list of potential architects, you should schedule a consultation with each one to discuss your project in detail and get a sense of their fees.
Architects will have specialities as any other profession and you should make sure to find one that matches your project. For example, if you are looking to renovate an older home, you will want to find an architect who specializes in historic preservation.
The size and scope of your project will also affect the cost of hiring an architect. A simple home addition may only require a few hours of consultation time, while a complete home renovation will require more time and effort.
The cost of hiring an architect will vary depending on the size and scope of your project, but you can expect to pay between $50 and $250 per hour. Fees may also be charged as a percentage of the total project cost, typically between 5 and 10 percent. These fees are generally negotiable, so be sure to ask about them when you are getting quotes from different architects.
Architects typically charge for their services in one of two ways: by the hour or as a percentage of the total project cost. If the architect only providing the house plans, you can expect to pay between $50 and $250 per hour for their time. If the architect is also involved in the construction process, they will typically charge a percentage of the total project cost, which is usually between 5 and 10 percent.
If you are planning a major home renovation, it is a good idea to get several quotes from different architects to compare costs. You should also ask for an estimate of the total number of hours required for the project, so you can compare the hourly rate.
The cost of hiring an architect for a residential design project will vary depending on the size and scope of the project. For example if you ask an architect to design you a 4 bedroom house plan the costs will depend on the design, if its a double story or single story, how many bathrooms, car spaces etc.
The consultation from the architect will usually be free but they will charge for their time to design the house plans. The fees charged by architects are generally negotiable and depend on a number of factors, such as the size and complexity of the project, the location, and the architect’s experience and reputation.
So if your dream home is very complex where as someone elses might be quite simple the fees will differ. A complex design might include a lot of different rooms, an outdoor area, a swimming pool etc. where as a simpler design might just be a few bedrooms and one bathroom.
Location your house is going to build will also affect the fees, for example if its in a very remote area the architect might charge more to cover their travel costs.
It’s also important to consider the experience and reputation of the architect when considering their fees. An experienced architect who has designed many homes will generally charge more than a less experienced one.
Another factor that might affect the fee is if your house is on a sloping block or difficult block of land, an architect with experience in designing homes on difficult blocks will charge more than one who doesn’t have this experience.
What to expect if you only need a drawing for an addition: If you are only needing drawings for an addition, you should expect to pay the architect between $2,000 and $4,000.
The architect will need to come out to your house to take measurements and take photos. They will then put together a set of drawings which will include a site plan, floor plans, elevations and cross sections.
The drawings will need to be submitted to the council for approval and the architect will usually charge a fee for this service.
Once the drawings are approved, the builder will use them to get quotes from different contractors. The cost of the addition will also depend on the size of the addition and the materials used.
As a general guide, you should expect to pay between $10,000 and $20,000 per square metre for a basic addition.
There are a number of online calculators that can help you estimate the cost of hiring an architect. To use these calculators, you will need to know the square footage of the project, the location, and the type of project.
One such calculator for Australians is the Home Design Fees Calculator from the Australian Institute of Architects.
Another useful calculator is the Architectural Fees Calculator from Design for Me. This calculator allows you to select different project types, such as extensions, new build homes, and commercial projects.
If you struggle to find a good architect, A professional house builder always know a few good ones that they recommend. Gather a few recommendations and then compare their services and fees to find the best one for your project. Contact us at Livit Construction if you need help finding an architect.
We have a team of experienced house builders who can help you with every step of your project, from finding the right land to getting council approval and building your dream home. We also offer a design and build service where we can take care of everything for you, from the initial design to the construction of your new house.
