Architectural Designs

architects?

Is there a standard fee or do they charge by the size of the building

Public Comments

1. yeh
2. They can build a building as they want. Thy some compacted equations. According to those, they build
3. Each project is so completely different that it will depend. They will quote the project for you, if you ask. They will want to know the scope of their involvement (what EXACTLY you want from them), type of building, location, size of building, etc. Some charge by the square foot, some give a quote, some an hourly fee. You may also find some info on the AIA website, http://www.aia.org. Check into it!
4. Yes! If you are in the US, contact the local AIA: American Institute of Architects. If you are in the UK, contact the Royal institute of British Architects. If no...most countries will have a relevant body for it. All these organisations will be able to provide you with a fee guidance.... In General, the fee bases on the scope of work. What you want him to carry out per stage. The scale of building is a matter as well as the type of building...the complexity of it etc...
5. In the UK most architects set their fees according to the size of project, use and whether it is new work or refurbishment. You can usually expect a discount over the published recommended fee scales put out by the RIBA. Normally it is quoted as a percentage of the value of the construction contract. (I've never heard of anybody charging by the square foot, but America is another country: they do things differently there. If you only require partial services, you can negotiate an hourly rate or ask for a lump sum fee quote, for preparing a planning application or listed building consent, maybe taking it on to include Building Regulation approval. Since deregulation architects can competitively bid their work so you should shop around a bit. Don't let price be your only guide - if they have particular expertise in your neck of the woods or have successfully negotiated consents with your local council, this may be a key consideration.
6. Not sure where you are.......In UK the ARIBA used to have guidelines that indicated costs. This has now changed, but on very large prestige projects it is usually based on a %age of the cost of the construction work, 7.5% is about the figure, this can increase with additions such as preparing a 'bill of quantities' . If the question refers to domestic, then usually you agree a fee for the different stages of work, or the whole package. Most architects will give you a very good idea of costs, if you don't like that cost try someone else. These costs are for the survey, preparation of sketch plans, preparation and submission of plans for planning permission and building regulations. Having gained all these permissions you may want the architect to supervise the work on site. So the cost will depend on the size of the project. It may not be as costly as you think, and represents good value because an architect can actually save you money on the project and in effect pay for his fees. He will come up with many good ideas that you may never have thought of, therefore It is surprising that many people choose to use an unqualified person to tamper with their most valuable and prized possession, i.e. your house, and risk making a hash of it. You would not go to backstreet unqualified operative if you wanted a medical operation.