Browse Forums Renovation + Home Improvement Re: Architect Cost What is Reasonable? 2Sep 24, 2016 10:08 am Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Architect Cost What is Reasonable? 3Nov 01, 2016 10:49 am Building Services Engineer Renovating our 1960's modernist home in Brisbane https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=82091 Re: Architect Cost What is Reasonable? 5Mar 04, 2017 5:19 pm I realise this is an older post so you have no doubt resolved it by now. I had an architect respond to an add I had put out on a service seeking site and then insist on a site visit (I had advertised for a draftsman to draw up plans for a cheap, small extension). Anyway he spent an hour on site pressured me into signing a contract for over $10,000 for an extension he quoted would be around $100,000 (I had a budget of $60,000). I signed, regretted it, called the next day and cancelled the contract and was billed $500 for his time. I paid it but was very peeved and resolved to NEVER use an architect. I have had problems with my draftsman not including the amount of detail the building permit company have said they need so it's had to got back a few times but as I already knew what I wanted I didn't need an architect to give design advice, just needed the physical plans. Anyway the architect told me they normally charge around 10% of total project cost. Which seems funny to me when things like fittings and fixtures could alter the price substantially but certainly doesn't change the amount of work the architect does. Re: Architect Cost What is Reasonable? 6Mar 06, 2017 11:54 am farmmum96 I am sorry you had a costly unfortunate experience Being charged $500 for a consultation, when you can't afford it, is stressful to say the least Here are my tips for getting great design advice & services
Apps and simulations are dominating our every internet experience..Please leave a PM if you require use of some specific apps or email appsb4Ubuild(at)gmail(dot)com cheers Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Architect Cost What is Reasonable? 7Apr 04, 2017 10:26 pm Farmmum I'm sorry to hear you had a bad experience. If the first appointment was at charge then they should have told you prior - as any business person should-, and pressuring anyone into a contract is dreadful and obviously wrong. However please don't put one bad experience with an entire profession, that's simply unfair. Architect's costs are often worked out on the architect's time to undertake the specific services requested, the hourly rate of said employees in the firm allowing for profits and overheads. Then travel costs, disbursements, etc may be put on top. The catch is the architect's hourly rate. They do range, usually based on experience. The "10%" is still used by some as a rough guide (though I'm sure it's not supposed to be). With those who do use it, I'd think that would include a "full service" from site measure & concept, right through to DA, CC, Construction drawings, written specification and then administering the contract on site and seeing the building through to finish of construction, including a defects list and ensuring defects are fixed - which isn't really necessary on a $100k project. Often a fee proposal (for single residential) will be a fixed price, but that fixed price is based on time allowed to do those services, and is usually displayed in a manner of cost per stage of service (ie, $--- for Site Measure, $--- Concept, $--- for DA drawings, $--- for CC drawings, etc going right through to overseeing the project on site to completion). Of course if you only asked for Concept and DA drawings, then that's all the fee proposal should have on it. Also you dont have to accept all stages presented to you. Each stage should have dot points detailing what's included (ie, Concept Design would include number of meetings, authority & regulations review, number of revisions of concept design, drawings presented as hand sketches, yes or no to 3D images, etc). Then anything past what's listed could be charged hourly in addition to the original fee. Same goes for the design brief. It should be stated on the fee proposal what the client's brief is, and if the brief changes then the fee changes. You'll find that say a $500k build on one site might cost an architect more to do than a $500 k build on another site. Sites are different (ie, bushfire, slope, council regulations, flood, views, etc) so some projects will require more time to resolve, also clients are different (timeframes, intricate design briefs). Of course a higher priced project will take the architect longer to do. Is it larger? Is it more complicated? Is the site difficult? Are you using an expensive building material that requires careful detailing? These factors will add time to resolving the project. If the architect is choosing fittings and fixtures, then that takes time too. If the client is choosing and providing them then you might find their cost isn't taken into account because unless a sum is left in the contract price for them then how does the architect know what price they'll be? I disagree with both of Structural Bim Guy's posts in this thread, several of the comments are simply not true. The AIA (Australian Institute of Architects) does not govern fees, in fact not all architects are even members of the AIA. Architects can charge hourly or fixed rate, some projects are percentage based others are not. It is up to the architect how they wish to charge - like any other profession - and again like any other profession - up to the client to accept or not. What 1960's Modernist Home said above is on the money. Re: Architect Cost What is Reasonable? 8Apr 05, 2017 9:00 am cat_dunc Architects would do best to lift their ranking in trusted professions here Survey Trusted Professions AFAIK the Battlers & Punters posting couldn't care less about you justifying the services, they just struggle with Costs, Affordability, Compliance issues, Tightening Regulations,Faults,maintenance/repairs etc,etc LOL..I can't remember the last time I saw an architect on site fixing up mistakes let alone offering assistance on this forum Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Architect Cost What is Reasonable? 9Apr 05, 2017 3:33 pm Structural BIM Guy, you have a real bee in your bonnet. I'm no longer going to spend my time addressing you. My two bob on the OPs questions, though likely too late: 1. What is a reasonable architect fee per stage and overall for the briefs that I have described above. This will vary between architects. Experience, location, prestige, workload are some factors that will change fees. 2. Does this vary greatly depending on region (i.e. should I be looking for an architect further out west - travel time would be annoying). Region may vary the cost. An architect in north sydney might charge more than an architect in say, Taree. Though variances are more likely due to the other factors mentioned above. 3. How did you choose your architect? These links might help people: Re: Architect Cost What is Reasonable? 10Apr 05, 2017 4:45 pm If you desperately want an Architect Look around on google communities I see them advertising for US$35/hr (ex. India, Malaysia) most use archicad & Revit (3D BIM) , but the Engineering & Compliance needs to be handled locally OT Others might find this post useful on consultant fee breakdowns Interior designer Costs HTH Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Architect Cost What is Reasonable? 11Apr 17, 2017 8:27 am StructuralBIMGuy AFAIK the Battlers & Punters posting couldn't care less about you justifying the services, they just struggle with Costs, Affordability, Compliance issues, Tightening Regulations,Faults,maintenance/repairs If people can't afford to do something properly, then perhaps they should reevaluate what their expectations are versus what their budget permits, and get a more realistic outcome for their situation. Everyone seems to want a house far bigger than they need, cars bigger and more expensive than they can afford, and every consumer item under the sun. All in the name of keeping up with the Joneses'. Then complain that they are struggling. Unless you live in Sydney or Melbourne where a 1 bedroom flat costs $750,000 of course... then you do have a real problem with affordability! Building Services Engineer Renovating our 1960's modernist home in Brisbane https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=82091 Re: Architect Cost What is Reasonable? 12Apr 19, 2017 9:38 am 1960sModernistHome StructuralBIMGuy AFAIK the Battlers & Punters posting couldn't care less about you justifying the services, they just struggle with Costs, Affordability, Compliance issues, Tightening Regulations,Faults,maintenance/repairs If people can't afford to do something properly, then perhaps they should reevaluate what their expectations are versus what their budget permits, and get a more realistic outcome for their situation. LOL "Yeah Sure, you blame the battlers and punters,you can't afford it,it's their fault?" IMHO...The truth is they're sick and tired of hearing the same ol' Bull$!t while being ripped at both ends..go figure If they are given the correct data & Info in the first instance,then they would be quite capable of making informed decisions about service Providers & Building Costs, best solutions,Building inspections, Trustworthiness, etc. Bad news for Architects, Designers & Builders is that clients are wanting a more all inclusive informative complaint service upfront,rather than a fake image rendering service that sucks them in with the offer, "we will sort everything out later on after you have handed over a 3% Deposit... (Come in Spinner)" Good news for clients is that Full Design & Analysis services can be automated by ENGINEERS through 3D BIM programing software & Processes, faster and cheaper. If clients aren't getting Full Plans, Models, Data, Quants, Engineering, solutions,comparisons costs, PM capabilities. etc ,etc Then they should be looking around for a better service at a cheaper price (a fair price is around 2-3% of the contract value).. OBs will easily save that amount on material costs and with 3 trade/labour quotes. New home builders will be able to query PSs items and variation changes beforehand. Clients with new homes won't be told by engineers doing structural inspections " if you upgraded your Slab/Rebar for $300 your new porcelain tiles (costing $200/m2?) might have not cracked... etc,etc you get the gist HTH BTW mate my inbox is full of messages from Battlers & Punters that agree with me Enjoy my latest post on Footing Comparison Up Grades That's info you'll only get from engineering Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Architect Cost What is Reasonable? 13Apr 19, 2017 9:06 pm You and I might have a different interpretation of what constitutes a "battler" but in the context of this thread, I highly doubt that a "battler" would be considering whether or not to hire an architect. When I think of a "battler" it's someone deciding whether or not to sell the TV to put food on the table, not whether to drop thirty or forty grand on an architect and another half a mill on a new house... Let's get real. I think you are being a bit overly dramatic. Building Services Engineer Renovating our 1960's modernist home in Brisbane https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=82091 Re: Architect Cost What is Reasonable? 14Apr 19, 2017 9:32 pm How about those (yes battlers) that drop $30K on unforeseen engineering costs..I suppose they can go back to the bank for more money...why don't you get real. Nobody here cares about architects dwindling incomes least of all engineers. Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Architect Cost What is Reasonable? 15Apr 19, 2017 9:52 pm With respect, I actually AM a chartered professional engineer, and if you were too you would be aware of the code of ethics that we practice. Slandering other associated professions is not something that a respected professional engineer does, especially not in a public forum. Building Services Engineer Renovating our 1960's modernist home in Brisbane https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=82091 Re: Architect Cost What is Reasonable? 16Apr 19, 2017 10:02 pm And you'd do better earning the respect of battlers than tugging the forelock at Architects HTH Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Architect Cost What is Reasonable? 17Apr 20, 2017 5:39 am I earn the respect of people by what I do (like designing aged care facilities, hospitals, schools and social housing) rather than spruiking BS on the internet... I'll say it again for the cheap seats. Someone who can afford to build a new house is not a battler (perhaps with a handful of exceptions), so you can stop patting yourself on the back. Building Services Engineer Renovating our 1960's modernist home in Brisbane https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=82091 Re: Architect Cost What is Reasonable? 18Apr 20, 2017 9:51 am Cheap seats at the back maybe....If you want to see reality mate go to a building site where the client says to the tradies "I paid $5000 for that variation... that's $h!t" and the Worker says " Grrr..I get paid $500" Ringside, you don't want to be the Architect or Builder.. Clients would do best to avoid those situations & make Informed decisions based on data, proofs & simulations beforehand. And we can thank ENGINEERS & Google (ranking algorithm) for that LOL.If you want to mingle with Architects mate...Stick to the ribbon cutting cocktail parties.HTH Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Architect Cost What is Reasonable? 19Apr 22, 2017 9:26 am Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Architect Cost What is Reasonable? 20May 24, 2017 9:22 am vinothkumar It doesn't matter how much Architecture costs wherever it comes from.. you can give it away for free if you wish? But If the engineering and construction is of a low standard, poorly engineered and non-compliant the Battlers, Punters & Stake holders lose. BTW Australia has very tight Regulations, Codes & Standards. OT Unlike the Indian Subcontinent where Indian buildings collapse weekly I would imagine private Building Inspectors would find it near impossible to get insurance there? Here's a tip Don't leave out the engineering & Data on your client presentations..Aussie Clients hate being ripped off by post contract engineering variations because the designer/artist didn't know what they were doing HTH Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Seems good to me. I've been told $4-5k/sqm is reasonable in Perth. 2 11185 Your build is relatively simple, I believe your job can be easily done by a good building designer, you really do not need to pay for the architect. Remember, architect's… 3 10989 I've just had a look at the website. The company are just building broker's. There are plenty of similar companies that basically draw your plans (they own them so you… 8 10942 |